We rejoice in the actions and gifts of the many ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod, which are the warp and weft of our life as church together. Because of your benevolence, we are able to achieve many things, including providing $202,874 for 30 grants to ministries in our synod.

There are two categories of grant applications:

1. Project Support Grants, and

2. Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS) Grants.

$107,000 were awarded in ACTS Grants, and $95,874 in Project Support Grants. Funding of approved applications begins February, 2022.

Project Support Grants

The Project Support Grant is available for a specific, new or continuing project that serves one or more of the Grand Canyon Synod Strategic Plan goals; the maximum amount awarded is $8,000.

Priority funding this year will be given to projects that seek to mitigate the effects of the current pandemic; examples include, but are not limited to, food insecurity, unemployment, homelessness, health inequities, and production of online worship opportunities.

1. Beautiful Savior, Tucson: $2,000 for Community Connections Center/Generosity Center

2. Bethany Lutheran, Scottsdale: $4,000 for Hybrid Worship Project

3. Central Lutheran, Arizona City & Casa Grande: $3,000 for Spreading the Word of Jesus: Connecting and Communicating with People Through God's Message Using Technology

4. Central Lutheran, Arizona City & Casa Grande: $7,000 for Adult Community Education Ministry

5. First Evangelical, Mesa: $4,000 for Grass Roots for Grass Roots - Farmer's Market

6. Holy Trinity, Chandler: $8,000 for Providing Shower Services for I-HELP Guests

7. House of Prayer (NELM), Rock Point: $8,000 for Hoz'Ho Café Food Truck

8. Lord of Grace, Tucson: $8,000 for Livestreaming System for Sanctuary

9. Church of the Foothills, Tucson: $2,500 for Audio-Visual Booth Construction

10. Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM), Phoenix: $3,200 for Native American Online Ministry & Christian Education

11. New Spirit, Tucson: $4,724 for Blessings in a Backpack

12. New Spirit, Tucson: $4,350 for Homeless Blessings Program

13. New Spirit, Tucson: ION Program, $8,000 for Transforming Reentry

14. San Juan Bautista, Tucson: $2,000 for Extended Worship Service Improvements

15. Santa Cruz, Tucson: $4,000 for Enhancing Audio/Visual Capabilities for Livestreaming Worship

16. Spirit of Hope, Mesa: $1,500 for Purchase of Autism-Friendly Materials for Youth and Young Adult Areas

17. Spirit of Hope, Mesa: $2,100 for Network and PC Upgrades to Support Online Service Recording and Broadcasting

18. Spirit of Joy, Gilbert: $1,500 for Religion and Science Series

19. Stewardship Team (GCS): $5,000 for The Generosity Project: Holy Exchange

20. St. Raphael, Benson: $4,000 for Desert Skies

21. Tanque Verde, Tucson: $5,000 for Equipping TVLC Chapel for Livestreaming and Hybrid Zoom Meetings

22. University Lutheran Church & LCM at ASU, Tempe: $4,000 for ULC/LCM Online Streaming Equipment and Operation

ACTS Grant

This grant is available to SAWCs and Strategic Ministries as they strive to become Adapting, Connecting, Transforming, and Sustaining (ACTS). The maximum award for an ACTS grant is $20,000. 

• Covenant Lutheran, Quartzsite: $15,000

• Crossroads, San Tan Valley: Agape, $13,500

• Crossroads, San Tan Valley: Florence: $7,000

• Crossroads, San Tan Valley: The Forge, $8,000

• La Sagrada Familia, Phoenix: $15,000

• Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM), Phoenix: $13,500

• House of Prayer (NELM), Rock Point: $15,000

• Santa Trinidad, Chandler: $20,000

Funding for these grants is limited and comes from the gifts this synod has received from the bequests of individuals (Warner Trust Fund), congregations sharing a tithe of a bequest they have received, the sale of closed congregations, grant funds from the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop, and allocation of unrestricted gifts to the synod.

Priority funding this year will be given to projects that seek to mitigate the effects of the current pandemic. Examples include but are not limited to: food insecurity, unemployment, homelessness, health inequities, production of online worship opportunities, etc. Grant proposals that propose a collaboration with another ELCA ministry and align with the Grand Canyon Synod Strategic Plan will be given preferential consideration.