Over the past year, our Northern Illinois Conference has been blessed to support local churches through several grant initiatives designed to strengthen ministry, deepen community impact, and nurture innovative leadership across our connection. These grants reflect our shared commitment to equipping congregations of every size and setting as they live out the Gospel in relevant and transformative ways.

Member from Lena UMC shows off the back of her shirt showing advertisement for their Kids Night Out which is supported by a Keagy Grant.

The P.A.C.K and Keagy/Town and Rural Grants have strengthened congregations in less-populated areas, helping them sustain vital ministries that serve as lifelines in their communities.  

The Creative Ministry Grant has empowered churches to launch new and imaginative ministry models—programs that reach emerging communities, engage new generations, and reimagine how the church can be present in a rapidly changing world.  

Our Social Reform Grants have supported churches working at the forefront of justice and compassion, addressing systemic inequities and responding to the pressing needs within their neighborhoods.

The Turtle Award is given to churches that try new ministries that don’t work out the way they had hoped, but who also learned a few things in the process so they could try something else in the future. It honors churches that stick their necks out (like turtles) in order to move forward.  

Together, we have granted over $55,000 in grants in 2025. These grant programs reflect our ongoing dedication to building vibrant, mission-driven churches across our conference.

The conference groups that oversee grants extend their heartfelt thanks to all the churches that faithfully contribute their apportionments. Our churches’ giving, when added together, sustains our shared mission and spreads hope.   

Your church can be considered for a grant by applying early this year. Applications for Keagy and PACK grants will be accepted in January and are due March 31.  Creative Ministry grants are due May 15. Most other grants receive applications in the fall. Learn more on the Grant page.  

2025 Grant Recipients 

Keagy/Town & Rural Grants

1. Apple River UMC: Summer Kids, Creation & Creativity  
2. Argo Fay UMC: TACO Brown-Bag Lunches  
3. Ashton UMC: Youth Expansion, Essential Pantry  
4. Cedarville UMC: Food Pantry  
5. Creston UMC: Keeping Kids Healthy   
6. Dixon: Grace UMC: Kinship Table, Generations, God Loves Everyone  
7. Durand UMC: Take Me to the Ballgame  
8. Elizabeth UMC:  Soul Purpose Meals  
9. Erie UMC: Messy Church, CARES Closet  
10. Forreston: First UMC: Adult Craft Night 
11. Hinckley: First UMC: Back to School Blessing  
12. Leland UMC: Food Pantry  
13. Lanark UMC: Summer Fun Bags for Kids  
14. LaSalle: Grace UMC: Winter Clothing Drive, Safety Fair  
15. Leaf River UMC: Brewed Connections  
16. Lena UMC: Kids’ Night Out, Community Outreach Dinner  
17.  Orangeville UMC: Acts 2:45  
18. Pearl City UMC: Christian Athletes  
19. Rochelle UMC: 3rd Grade Pillow Cases 
20. Savanna UMC: Various Projects  
21. Scales Mound UMC: Young at Heart, Family Game Night  
22. Serena UMC: Comfort Quilts  
23. Shannon: Bethel UMC: Senior Meals  
24. Sheridan UMC: Building Loving Community  
25. Sterling: First UMC: Community Breakfast, Food Pantry  
26. Stockton: Wesley UMC: New Seekers Group  
27. Tampico UMC: Food Pantry, Sewing Group, Buddy Bags, Supplies    
28. Warren UMC: Warren Outreach  
29. Winnebago UMC: Wacky Wednesday 

Creative Ministry Grants

1. Lansing: First UMC: Multicultural Contemporary Worship
2. FREE Recovery NFC: Partnership between FREE Recovery Community and Lutheran Social Services  
3. Lake Bluff: Grace UMC: Innovate Outreach Initiative with Podcast “Say Grace” 
4. Morris: First UMC: HOPE House 
5. Morrison UMC: Dinner Church 
6. Oak Park: St. John UMC: Love Is 

Social Reform Grant

• Oak Park: Euclid Ave UMC: Justice Library at Euclid 

Turtle Award

• Glencoe: North Shore