Established Church Development Committee (ECDC)

Grant In Aid Guidelines (Approved by Classis May 13, 2004)

Purpose of Established Church Grant-in-Aid Program:

To assist churches within Classis Grand Rapids South in the work of evangelism. Funds can be provided to the extent that they are available and with the understanding that they will meet the guidelines and approval of the ECDC and then Classis. Grants may be provided as “seed money” to help start a new outreach ministry. They may be approved for other new, continuing, or expanding outreach ministries. They will not be used for ministries that are not focused on evangelism. They also will not be used for purchase of property or for facility construction costs.

General Guidelines for Established Church Grants:

1. There will be four categories of Grants

Phase 1 Grants -for new, start up evangelistic ministries

Phase 2 Grants -for continuing, growing outreach ministries

Training Grants -for groups of churches in classis to assist them in being more effective in outreach

Specialized Grants -Intern, resident, special needs or opportunities.

2. Churches that have the highest potential for impacting our community will receive the highest percentage of grant money, but each group of churches will receive some grant money.

3. Grants are for evangelistic/outreach ministries/seeker targeted opportunities.

a. Churches must demonstrate to what extent this grant money will be focused on evangelistic/outreach opportunities.

b. Churches that want to start new programs or provide staff for ministry Within the church to members, do not qualify for these grants unless it can be proved that such a program or staff will increase the church’s effectiveness in outreach ministry. ECDC and/or Classis may reject grant requests that do not meet outreach guidelines or may give only a percentage of what is requested if they partially meet outreach guidelines.

c. Grant money usually will not be given to specific programs within a church that are in a “survival” or “declining” mode.

4. Time period of the grants.

a. Normally grant funding takes place the year following approval of the request. E.g. a grant approved in the May meeting of Classis will take effect starting February the following year.

5. Length of grants

a. Phase 1 grants are for the first three years, but need to be approved/renewed annually. Requests for year two and three should be at a decreasing amount with the church picking up more of the costs for this ministry. Note -extra “start up costs may be considered for year one making that a higher amount.

b. Phase 2 grants normally are for three years. These are for ministries that show real promise, growth, etc. Sometimes a ministry will qualify for longer than a three-year period when exceptional opportunities are involved.

c. Training grants are normally for a one-year period and new training opportunities will be considered each year.

6. Percentage of the ministry covered by the Classical grant.

a. “Seed Money” grants should be a small percentage of the total cost and yet give a boost to get the program off the ground.

b. Staff ..ECDC is very hesitant to approve grants for staffing that are over 50% of the total package. We do not want churches to be dependant upon classis for paying salaries, stipends for staff unless the church is capable of picking up the salary when the grant ends.

c. Normally a grant from classis will not exceed 50% of the total cost of the particular ministry being funded.

7. Reporting: Generally quarterly written reports will be expected from each church/ministry receiving a grant. Checks will not be issued until reports are received. After 60 days from when the report is due, grant money for that quarter will normally be forfeited.

Fiscal Year: February 1- January 31.

Reports Due by: April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15.

Application Procedure -- Grant applications must be completed as follows:

a. Each church is responsible for demonstrating the potential for evangelism/outreach ministry that is being considered for the use of this grant if approved.

b. Included will be a current financial statement of the church/ministry.

c. Percents -what percent this grant would be of the total package being considered, what amount/percent is being covered by other resources, and what amount/percent is being covered by the church. . E.g. a grant request for $5,000 is part of a new ministry that is being proposed that will cost $15,000. The church is planning to pay for $10,000 and no other funding is expected).

d. Grant applications are to be turned in to the secretary of the ECDC by February 15. The Committee will then process these requests. If ECDC proposes to reject or reduce the amount requested, churches will be informed and given an opportunity to appeal to the ECDC. ECDC submits its proposal to the Finance Committee for approval. It will then be presented to the May meeting of Classis for approval.