Sources of Funding in the Susquehanna Conference

SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

P O BOX 2053, MECHANICSBURG PA 17055

 

SOURCES OF FUNDING  updated 6/10

As churches develop outreach programs to meet needs in their local communities and look for more ways to be in ministry, church leaders also look for additional ways to fund these programs.  A limited amount of grants, loans and scholarships are available through Susquehanna Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The following list includes general descriptions and contact information for each fund. 

GRANTS

 

CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH MINISTRIES GRANTS

from the Conference budget through Shares of Ministry; administered by Conference Commission on Health Ministries through the Congregational Health Ministries Team

• Congregational Health Ministries Grants are available to congregations, networks, and other Conference related agencies (not benevolent homes) to support existing and new congregational health ministries projects.  Grants of up to $5,000 will be considered for programs related to spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological health and wholeness.  Deadline September 1.
• For information and an application, contact:

            Lisa Bender
            Susquehanna Conference
            P O Box 2053
            Mechanicsburg PA 17055
            Toll free:  1-800-874-8474 717-766-7441; Fax: 717-766-5976
            Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

LOVE A CHILD FOUNDATION GRANTS

from investments in a permanent endowment fund; administered by the Conference Commission on Child Advocacy

• Love a Child Foundation Grants are used to support children’s ministries of the churches in Susquehanna Conference.  Funds are for seed money for new outreach with and for children through age 12 that are cooperative efforts with an outside agency or another church. Priority given to churches with matching funds. Deadlines are March 1 and September 1.
• For information and application, contact:

          Warren Bevacqua
          Susquehanna Conference
          PO Box 2053
          Mechanicsburg PA 17055
          Toll free:  1-800-874-8474
          717-766-7441; Fax: 717-766-5976
          Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

PARISH DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL MINISTRIES GRANTS

from the Conference budget through Shares of Ministry; administered by Parish Development Committee through the Conference Missional Board.

• For start-up funds over a three year period for parish development ministries and social ministries projects
• For information and application, contact:

           Rev. Gary Weaver
           64 W. Chocolate Ave
           Hershey PA 17033-1422
           Phone: 717-533-9668
           Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The application form is attached at the bottom of this page.

 

PEACE WITH JUSTICE GRANTS

from Peace with Justice Offerings – 50% of our conference Peace with Justice Offering stays in our conference; administered by Conference Board of Church and Society

• Peace with Justice Grants are available to projects of mission which clearly have a Peace with Justice emphasis; priority given to seed money for new projects; funding can be requested up to $2,500
• For information and an application, contact:

          Pastor Mark F. Reisinger, Peace with Justice Coordinator
          216 S. Market Street
          Mechanicsburg PA 17055
          Phone: 717-766-3282 (church)
          Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

PRISON MINISTRY EMERGING MINISTRY GRANTS

from Prison Ministry Advance Funds; administered by the Prison Ministry Committee of the Conference Board of Church and Society

• Funding is provided for churches and groups who are initiating criminal justice ministries; to cutting edge ministries to youth and children who are in detention centers, are victims of crime, or are in the families of prisoners; for restorative justice and advocacy ministries, after care and chaplaincy; ministry that addresses the death penalty, as well as state, national and international justice.
• For information and applications, contact:

          Rev. Myron R. Jones
          669  Asbury Lane
          Altoona PA 16601
          E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

WORLD HUNGER GRANTS

from Conference World Hunger Offering; administered by World Hunger Task Force of the Conference Missional Board

• World Hunger grants are given to food banks, soup kitchens, and other food related ministries within the bounds of Central PA Conference
• For information and an application, contact:

          Rev. Fred Fields
          901 Center St
          Lock Haven PA 17745
          Phone: (570) 748-9641 (church)  (570) 893-1925 (home)    
          Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

YOUTH SERVICE FUND GRANTS

from Youth Service Fund Offerings; administered by Conference Young People’s Ministry Council

The Youth Service Fund of the Conference Young People’s Ministry Council is a fund created for, directed for and used by youth for mission, ministry and service to the glory of God.  Grants of up to $1,000 are available for projects or ministries related to youth.

• For information on project guidelines and an application, contact:
• For information and application, contact:

          Warren Bevacqua
          Susquehanna Conference
          PO Box 2053
          Mechanicsburg PA 17055
          Toll free:  1-800-874-8474
          717-766-7441; Fax: 717-766-5976
          Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

LOANS

 

COMMITTEE ON LOANS

from investments by individuals, congregations and other agencies  in the Conference Loan Fund; administered by the Committee on Loans through the Conference Missional Board.

• For building and repair projects by congregations and conference agencies
• For information and an application, contact your District Superintendent.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

 

BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY CONTINUING FORMATION FUND

from contributions and investments in the Ministerial Education Fund and the Educational Leave Fund; administered through the Board of Ordained Ministry, Continuing Formation Committee.

• Offers financial assistance to fulfill continuing education requirements of the
• Susquehanna Annual Conference
• Applicants must be under appointment or events which focus on those under appointment.
• For information see Board of Ordained Ministry web page or contact:

          Rev. Matthew Lake
          130 N 2^nd Ave
          Altoona PA 16602
          Phone: (814) 943-2072 (church)  (814) 942-1927 (home)
          Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry based on a percentage of our Conference Student Day Offering; administered by the Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry

• The Susquehanna Conference Scholarship Program is for college students attending United Methodist-related colleges and universities.  Application deadline is April 30.
• For an application, click here.
• For more information, contact:

          Rev. Eric L. Funk
          126 E. Market St
          Hallam PA 17406
          Phone: (717) 755-3155
          Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

From Shares of Ministry, Offerings to the Outdoor Christian Education Offering, and Donations; administered by Camping and Retreats Commission

• Camperships are available for children and youth unable to afford the summer camp registration fee. Requests are kept confidential.  Scholarships are usually equal half the cost of camp registration.
• For information and applications, contact:

          Kaye Anderson
          PO Box 2053
          Mechanicsburg PA 17055
          Camping Office Direct Line: 717-766-7395
          Toll free:  1-800-874-8474
          Phone:  717-766-7441; Fax: 717-766-5976
          Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS for children of prison inmates

from Prison Ministry Advance Funds; administered by the Prison Ministry Committee

• Camperships are available for children of Susquehanna Conference prison inmates to participate in Christian summer camping experiences.  Churches or chaplains can seek half the funding for children of inmates to attend a summer Christian camping program.
• For information and applications, contact:

          Rev. Myron R. Jones
          669 Asbury Lane
          Altoona PA 16601
          Phone: 814-944-6718
          E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

from the Leadership University Ministry Team

• For those taking classes through Leadership University unable to afford the tuition costs
• For information, contact:

          Rev. Rosamond Mason, Dean
          303 Grand Parkway N
          Lewistown PA 17044
          Phone: (717) 248-4618 (church)      (717) 248-4581 (home)
          E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

RACIAL/ETHNIC MINORITY SCHOLARSHIPS

from the Conference budget through Shares of Ministry; administered by Conference Commission on Religion and Race

• Funds for higher education expenses for students of racial/ethnic minority background who have membership affiliation or other church-related connections within Susquehanna Conference.
• Preference given to full-time undergraduate students and to those participating actively in a worshipping community.  Application deadline is May 15.
• For information and an application, contact:

          Milton Loyer
          917 Emily Drive
          Mechanicsburg PA 17055
          717-766-0977
          E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

STUDENT AID FUND

from contributions and investments; administered by the Conference Student Aid Fund Board of Managers   

• Offers financial assistance to persons preparing to fulfill their call to full time pastoral ministry in Susquehanna Conference
• Applicants must be certified candidates for the ordained ministry; attending or planning to attend a school approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church and have demonstrated financial need
• For information and an application, contact:

          Rev. Dr. Ronald S. McElwee
          711 Tristan Trail
          Chambersburg PA 17201
          Phone: 717-264-7447
          E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

THE MAUD K. JENSEN/KAREN E. LAYMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

from Women in Ministry of the Central PA Conference; administered by the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation

• Offers financial assistance to women entering ministry
• For information and an application, contact:

          Pastor Julia Piper
          175 W Main St
          Rebersburg PA 16872
          Phone: 717-545-1402
          Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

DENOMINATIONAL GRANTS, LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS are available though the United Methodist Church.  For information, go to the InfoServ website    http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2662

 

SEARCH THE FOUNDATION CENTER DIRECTORY ONLINE

The Foundation Center is an independent nonprofit information clearinghouse that disseminates information on grants, foundations and corporate giving.  As such, the Center does not make grants, but can provide information on available grants and training on proposal writing. 

 

Use the Foundation Center’s Directory Online (subscription only) to search for grants, loans, and scholarships from private foundations. 

 

Foundation Center Online Directory may be accessed at the following public libraries:

            James V. Brown Library, Williamsport         

            Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg

            Martin Library, York

            Lancaster County Library, Lancaster

           

Foundation Center and other books related to fund-raising may be available in your local library. Discovery Place Resource Center at the Conference Center also has a few resources related to finding funding and writing funding proposals.  College and university libraries are another possible source of Foundation Center information.

 

To contact Foundation Center directly, visit foundationcenter.org for information on grantmakers and foundations.  Visit the FAQ website at foundationcenter.org/getstarted/faqs/ for information on Funding Resources, Proposal Writing, Individual Grantseekers, Nonprofit Organizations, Corporate Philanthropy and Online Fundraising.  Contact:

            The Foundation Center, 79 Fifth Avenue/16^th Street, New York, NY 10003-3076

             Toll free:  800-424-9836; Phone: 212-620-4230, Fax: 212-807-3677