GRANT POLICY & APPLICATION FOR ST. JOHN S EPISCOPAL CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND Attached are the following: St. John s Mission Statement and St. John s Endowment Committee s Vision Statement The Endowment Committee s Funding Guidelines The Application Cover Form Required information to be submitted with each project proposal. 1 1 Instructions for Submission Project proposals must comply with the instructions below, and must be submitted in PDF format to office@sjec-midland.org with Attn: Endowment Committee in the subject line. If you are unable to submit your proposal by e-mail, please contact 989-631-2260 to obtain instructions for alternate submission methods. Deadline for Submission The committee meets the fourth Wednesday of approximately ten months each year. For consideration, the application for a project proposal should be submitted in PDF format at least ten days before a scheduled meeting. Please refer to Instructions for Submission in the first paragraph on page 1 of this document. Feel free to leave a message with the Church Secretary for someone from the Endowment Committee to call you to answer additional questions. Phone: (989) 631-2260 Email address: office@sjec-midland.org The following is REQUIRED information: 1. Description of the project to be funded. It is the intention of the Endowment Committee to fund projects. Projects are defined as temporary unique activities designed to achieve a particular goal. Projects are temporary in that they have a defined beginning and end point. Projects are unique in that they are not routine operations, but are instead intended to accomplish a particular, defined goal. 2. Description of the links between St. John s Endowment Committee Mission and Vision and your project. It is important in your project proposal to clearly articulate how the project will contribute to St. John s Mission of Linking Lives in the Love of Christ and to demonstrate that the project is consistent with the Endowment Committee Vision Statement. 3. How does your project meet the Funding Guidelines Project proposals should be consistent with the listed Funding Guidelines. In rare cases an exception may be made from one or more of these Funding Guidelines, but the request for an exception should be well explained and justified. Conversely, it would 1 Since these are guidelines, it is possible to deviate from any of the above items in either request and/or the information to be submitted by type of proposal, but the reasons for doing so must be carefully explained and justified. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 1
improve the project proposal s chances for funding if the applicant shows how some of the guidelines are emphasized in the project proposal. 4. Previous Funding Impact If you have previously received funds from the Endowment Committee, describe what funds were granted, what they were used for, and the outcome of the project. 5. Budget For each kind of project proposal, there needs to be a budget for the project. Indicate both the total budget for the project and St. John s share of the total project budget. Also indicate how the budget for this project proposal fits in with the applicant s overall budget. An institutional budget should be submitted 6. Travel Detail any travel expenses that are included. Travel expenses for a mission trip may only be requested if the mission project has received support from St. John s Endowment Committee, the Diocese of Eastern Michigan or the National Episcopal Church. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 2
St. John s Endowment Committee Mission Linking lives in the love of Christ Vision: Through engaging our parish in the sharing of St. John s resources and talents we will, with God s help: 1. Implement the Great Commission in the Gospel, either through our own works or by enabling the work of others: To make disciples To baptize in the name of Christ To teach the Gospel To share the story of our faith. 2. Show the love of Christ through our love for those in need: By offering financial support or project funding, while being good stewards of God s bounty By encouraging St. John s members to actively participate in outreach ministry, each according to his/her gifts and talents By partnering with others who share our objectives. 3. Allow the Grace of God and the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, our hearts, and the life of our church as we joyfully serve and give to others. (note: it is often the participant who is transformed rather than the recipient.) Revised 24 July 2015 Page 3
Endowment Committee Funding Guidelines 1. It is the intention of the Endowment Committee to fund projects. Projects are defined as temporary unique activities designed to achieve a particular goal. Projects are temporary in that they have a defined beginning and end point. Projects are unique in that they are not routine operations, but are instead intended to accomplish a particular defined goal. 2. Projects will not be funded unless they embody the principles of our Mission and Vision and are consistent with our Funding Guidelines. 3. Projects will be favored that allow for and encourage a variety of parish involvement, including direct participation in the project, matching congregational financial contributions, and mission travel. 4. Project proposals under $1,500 normally will not be considered. 5. The Endowment Committee will attempt each year to fund at least one major project within the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, and one major project outside the Diocese, either within the U.S. A. or abroad. 6. Projects will not be supported which receive government funding to the degree that the government s influence on the project is inconsistent with our Mission, Vision, and Guidelines. 7. Projects will not be funded that have another, more obvious source of private or church funding. 8. The Endowment Committee will take into consideration the applicant s performance of any prior projects funded by a grant from the Endowment Committee. 9. Projects will be preferred that further the work of the wider Episcopal Church and the Anglican Community. 10. Aside from certain annual or ongoing local community activities, project proposals for startup funding for new endeavors will be preferred over requests for operational support or maintenance of existing services. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 4
11. Except in emergencies, individuals or agencies seeking support must submit a completed application to the Endowment Committee at least ten days prior to its scheduled monthly meetings. 12. The Endowment Committee is not required to exhaust the entire annual Endowment budget, but may, at its discretion, carry over funds into the next year. 13. Travel Policy A Travel expenses for a mission trip may only be requested if the mission project has received support from St. John s Endowment Committee, the Diocese of Eastern Michigan or the National Episcopal Church. B If the project is primarily sponsored by another organization, only members of St. John s Episcopal Church will be eligible for funding. C Individuals are expected to contribute 50% of their budgeted travel expenses incurred during work on a mission project. The individual s share may be provided by fund raising or through direct payment by the individual. D Special consideration will be made when the individual s financial status calls for it, or if more than one person from a St. John s family (especially teenagers) is traveling to work on a mission project. E Special consideration will be made if the youth group from St. John s is traveling to work on a supported mission project. F The following items are NOT covered and should not be included in the overall budget for the trip: 1. meals, unless they are included in the overall cost for housing. 2. medical costs including preventative immunizations. 3. passports and visa expenses 4. personal items 5. overnight hotel expenses incurred if participants elect to travel the day before an early morning departure time 6. travel and/or medical insurance G Any participant who does NOT pay their share of expenses will be ineligible to participate in future mission projects requiring travel until the amount is paid in full. H In order to encourage wider participation in mission projects sponsored by St. John s Episcopal Church, only ONE trip per year for any one individual will be funded by the Endowment Committee. Exceptions will be the rector and/or paid church staff. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 5
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH - ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE Application for Support - Cover Form This completed cover form MUST be submitted together with the information specified on the following pages. Please check the category listed below in which your request falls and submit the information required in the category. Where specified, attach the identified documentation. A. Request for support for an outreach project that is primarily managed and operated by St. John's Episcopal Church. B. Request for support for an outreach project that is primarily managed and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan or other Episcopal churches and/or communities. C. Request for support for an outreach project that is primarily managed and operated by an external organization. Project proposals will be evaluated based on the purposes, objectives, expected outcomes, reports on results from previous grants to the requestor, and consistency with the Mission, Vision, and Funding Guidelines of the St. John s Episcopal Church Endowment Committee (copies attached). Total Amount Requested: Date Required: 1. Name and address of organization or individual seeking support. 2. Name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the contact person(s) if further information is needed. (Name) (Address) (Phone) (e-mail address) (Name) (Address) (Phone) (e-mail address) 3. Summarize in one (1) sentence the goal and/or objective of the requested grant. 4. To complete this application, attach additional pages providing appropriate information as specified by the type of request which has been listed on the following page. Please answer the questions in the order presented with identified headings. Feel free to add information that may help the Endowment Committee make an appropriate decision. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 6
REQUIRED INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED BY TYPE OF PROPOSAL The Endowment Committee of St. John s recognizes that ALL grant requests will not fit neatly into one specific category and/or policy and may need to be reviewed on an individual basis. Pick one of the categories below and provide the information which should be presented in narrative form in the order specified within the type description for each category. Where appropriate, attachments may be submitted. Category A: Projects Sponsored by St. John s Episcopal Church 1. Projects must be supported by the Vestry of St. John s in order to be considered a mission project of the church. 2. Describe the purpose of the project and how it is consistent with St. John's Mission, Endowment Committee Vision, and Funding Guidelines for Linking our lives in love and service to Christ. (See Items 2 & 3 on Page 1) 3. What are the objectives and/or expected outcomes for individuals participating in the work of/on the project? 4. Budget for the total cost of the project with an indication as to what proportion of the cost will be paid for with St John s Endowment Funds and the source(s) of any other support. (See Item 5 on Page 2) 5. If travel for the project is included in the request, please refer to Funding Guidelines (See Item 13 on Page 5.) The section listed below as Mission Travel for Projects Supported by St. John s Endowment Committee must be completed. 6. Each grant request must be in writing and include all information listed on Page 1 and Page 2. Category B: Projects Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan or another Episcopal Church and/or Community. 1. Describe the purpose of the project and how it is consistent with St. John s Mission, Vision, and Guidelines for Linking our lives in love and service to Christ. (See Items 2 & 3 on Page 1) 2. What are the objectives and/or expected outcomes for individuals participating in the work of/on the project? 3. Budget for the total cost of the project with an indication as to what proportion of the cost will be paid for with St. John s Endowment Funds and the source(s) of any other support. (See Item 5 on Page 2) Please provide an institutional budget to provide a context of the project. 4. If travel for the project is included in the request, please refer to Funding Guidelines (Item 13 on Page 5) The section listed below as Mission Travel for Projects Supported by St. John s Endowment Committee must be completed. 5. This information, including all Items on Page 1 and 2, is required each time a request for a grant is made. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 7
Category C: Projects from External Organizations 1. Describe how the project is consistent with St. John s Mission, Vision, and Guidelines for Linking our lives in love and service to Christ. (See Items 2 & 3 on Page 1) 2. Describe the project and its purpose including involvement by St. John s parishioners if any. 3. Describe the mission, and financial situation of the organization. What is the organizational budget, source of income and general expenditures? (Attach a balance statement if appropriate.) If the government is a source of income, to what extent is its influence on the nature of the project? (See Item 6 under Funding Guidelines on Page 4) 4. Describe how this project, to be supported by St. John s Endowment Funds, fits in with the organization s total budget. What is the total cost of the project and what other source(s) of support will be needed in addition to this request? An itemized budget of the entire project must be included. 5. If appropriate, describe previous project assistance from St. John's Endowment Committee and summarize outcomes. Include a statement as to the number of years of support received from St. John's Endowment Funds and the amount(s) of funding received. 6. Will this project be continued following this initial grant? If yes, how? 7. If travel for the project is included in the request, please refer to Funding Guidelines Item 13 on Page 5. The section listed below as Mission Travel for Projects Supported by St. John s Endowment Committee must be completed. 9. This information, including all Items on Page 1 and 2, is required each time a request for a grant is made. Mission Travel for Projects Supported by St. John s Endowment Committee, the Diocese of Eastern Michigan or the National Episcopal Church 1. List the dates of the trip and the name(s) of the individual(s) who will be participating (if known). 2. Description of the nature and extent of involvement of each participant in the project. 3. What are objectives and/or outcomes for the participants. 4. In the budget for the project, include the expenses for each participating individual, the total cost of the trip with an indication as to what proportion of the cost will be paid for with St. John s Endowment Funds and the source(s) of any other support. Revised 24 July 2015 Page 8