Grants Program

Funding for the Grand Canyon Synod Grant is limited and comes from gifts this synod has received from individual bequests (e.g. Warner Trust Fund), congregations sharing a tithe of a received bequest, the sale of closed congregations, grant funds from the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop, and the allocation of unrestricted gifts to the synod. Note: the total amount available for funding this fall is approximately $175,000.

Grant proposals that propose a collaboration with another ELCA ministry and align with the Grand Canyon Synod Strategic Plan will be given preferential consideration.

• Applicants should participate in the online Grants Webinar on September 17, 2024, or view the webinar recording, before submitting an application. Register for the grants webinar here.

• The application must be accompanied by (1) a Statement of Financial Position for the applying congregation/organization and, if a congregation, (2) the amount of the congregation’s mission support to the Grand Canyon Synod last year or currently pledged.

• Please note that the deadline to submit applications is no later than midnight on October 18, 2024. The application period will open on September 9, 2024.

• Funding of approved applications begins February, 2025.

• Questions about the grant process or application should be directed to Theresa Thornburgh in the Office of the Bishop at office@gcsynod.org.

Please read the following information carefully before starting the application process.

ALLOWABLE CATEGORIES FOR GRANT FUNDING

• Educational materials.

• Marketing materials and social media platform start-up expenses for program launch.

• Capital equipment (including laptop and personal computers) deemed essential to this proposal.

• Scholarship support for ELCA youth camps and youth gatherings.

• Furnishings (chairs, tables, altar, etc.) that are essential to this proposal.

• Church banners, program materials and musician support for worship services, communion elements.

• Short-term expenses for consultants (stipends or honoraria).

• Travel expenses for ELCA-sponsored trips, youth gatherings, partnership outreach through Global Missions commitments, Churchwide Assembly, etc.

• Building repair as related to food pantry services (required per Health Department licensing).

NON-ALLOWABLE CATEGORIES FOR GRANT FUNDING

• Salaries.

• Capital equipment not clearly related to this proposal.

• Continuous operational expenses (i.e., health benefits, rent, insurance expenses, utility payments).

• Licensing for health/food pantry services.

• Recreational/social activities.

• Travel expenses based upon individual church/member interests.

• Vehicle purchase/vehicle payments/mileage reimbursement.

Application

• All application questions must be answered in full. Omission of required information will affect the score of your submission.

• You have the option to save your application and return to complete it at a later time.

• The application file must be submitted as a Word document, and named using the following format: gcsgrant_organizationname_2025 

• Submit the application electronically, either as an email attachment to office@gcsynod.org or through the online grants system. No late submissions will be accepted.

• During the review process the GCS Grant Review Team may contact the applicant with questions or to schedule an interview.

• All ministries that are awarded grants are expected to submit progress reports which will be due on 5/31/2025, 10/31/2025 and 1/31/2026. Failure to submit the appropriate report may result in future grant funds being held.