Churches should think of grants as a different type of fundraising, a type provided by foundations. This article will help small churches understand funding from local and community foundations and corporate support.
First Baptist Church Elm Mott, Texas, about 10 miles north of Waco on Interstate 35, needed funds for a repair project after part of the ceiling in the activities center collapsed.
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Pastor Jeb Barr said the small church couldn’t afford this unexpected expense. Money for major repairs wasn’t available. Could a grant be the answer to repairing the building?
They started looking for funds to cover the cost of materials and labor to replace the entire ceiling. That’s when they heard about a grant known as the Oldham Little Church Foundation.
The church contacted the Oldham Little Church Foundation and was encouraged to write a brief letter of inquiry. After their letter was accepted, a representative from the Oldham Foundation visited the church. Soon, First Baptist Elm Mott received permission to write a full application.
From the time of writing the letter of inquiry to being funded took about four months.
With the success of obtaining this first grant, they are encouraged to look for other grants to cover some additional needs of the church.
“This grant has benefited First Baptist and enabled the church to expand its ministry. Next, the church would like to replace carpet, replace pews, and have a new church sign installed,” Pastor Barr said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Carolyn Tomlin and originally published by Baptist Standard.
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