BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY

Virginia Annual Conference of

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

P.O. Box 5606

Glen Allen, Virginia 23058

Phone: (804) 521-1100 Fax: (804) 521-1179

Toll Free: 1-800-768-6040

Email Rev Glenn Rowley at:

Web Site: www.vaumc.org

PEACE WITH JUSTICE GRANT GUIDELINES

United Methodist churches are encouraged by our bishops to rededicate themselves to a “ministry of peace, justice, and hope to overcome poverty and disease, environmental degradation, and the proliferation of weapons and violence.” (United Methodist Bishops’ Pastoral Letter: God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action) In short, our churches are urged to engage the world with this vision of Hope and Action for Peace with Justice.

Support of this vision is one way the General Board of Church and Society and the Conference Board of Church and Society lives out its Disciplinary mandate to:

…relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the Church and to persons and structures of the communities and world in which they live. [The General Board of Church and Society through the Church] shall seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God … [advocating for] the reconciliation that God effected through Christ [that involves] personal, social, and civic righteousness. [and] forthright witness and action on issues of human well-being, justice, peace and the integrity of creation. (2012 Book of Discipline, Paragraphs 1002 & 1004).

Grant applicants must demonstrate their request supports the spirit of the following guidelines. Applicants must be a United Methodist local congregation, district, annual conference, or other organization and/or ecumenical group affiliated through at least one United Methodist agency. Please ensure applications demonstrate how one or more of the following criteria or objectives are met:

  1. Assist United Methodists in understanding and responding to violence and militarism.
  2. Involve United Methodist in efforts to end conflicts and violent aggression locally and globally.
  3. Promote local, state, national and international policies and actions (governmental and non-governmental) seeking to restore communities and respond to the disproportionate effect of injustices on racial and ethnic minority persons.
  4. Support policies that promote economic justice, ecological justice, and the self-development of peoples.

Eligibility

Local churches in the Virginia Annual Conference, district Church and Society committees (or equivalent structures), district Peace with Justice coordinators, and other ministries and organizations related to United Methodist agencies within the bounds of the Virginia Annual Conference are invited to apply. Preference is given to first time applicants who demonstrate a strong advocacy component in their program / project. A letter from the District Superintendent must be attached showing connectional support within the district where the program / project is to be supported. Maximum grant is $5000.

Application Form

Application questions to be completed for a grant application are attached below. Applications are accepted and reviewed/approved annually (applications are dueJanuary 30th).

Recipients will receive their grants via check processed and mailed to the name and address shown on the application form. Please be sure that the name and address identified is the fiscal agent of the program or project.

Submit application with all required documentation as outlined in the attached application questions below. Please be sure to include a detailed budget assessment for your project; e.g. listing other agencies and/or means for funding support to demonstrate greater ownership of the project or program. You may want to ask others if you can include them as supporting references for your grant request. Don’t forget to include the required letter from the associated District Superintendent demonstrating his or her support.

Complete and mail or email your grant application to:

Peace with Justice Coordinator

Board of Church and Society

VA Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

PO Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5606

UPON RECEIPT OF APPLICATION

1.  The Virginia Annual Conference Peace with Justice Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of application to sender along with copy to the identified District Superintendent.

2.  The Conference Peace with Justice Coordinator will conduct an initial review to ensure conformity with guidelines and ask for clarity and/or additional information if required.

3.  Copies of the application will be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Conference Board of Church and Society for its review and recommendations.

4.  The Executive Committee of the Board of Church and Society will notify applicants of final decisions.

5.  Approved applicants will receive funds by check or electronic transfer.

PEACE WITH JUSTICE GRANTS PROGRAM

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

FOR OFFICE USE:

Date Received:

Log Number:

  1. Title of the program and/or project.
  1. Complete address of the program / project leader(s).
  1. Complete name and address, telephone number and email address of the fiscal agent for the program/project to which funds will be dispersed, if different than above.
  1. Name of program/project director if different than above.
  1. Complete contact information for director including address, telephone and email.
  1. Name and address of the program/project fiscal agent or treasurer.
  1. How did you learn about the Peace with Justice grant program?
  1. If you are a local church, are you taking the Peace with Justice Offering?
  1. Attach a one page description of program/project identifying how goals of program/project work to realize the goals of the Peace with Justice Program. Include expected start and completion dates.
  1. Provide evaluation process to be used to determine if program/project will meet desired goals. Evaluation process must include how clients will be involved in the evaluation. Evaluation results shall be reported to the Conference Peace with Justice Coordinator.
  1. State grant amount requested – not to exceed $5000.00. Indicate if program/project received funding support in the past and amount requested and granted (include date).
  1. Attach one-page budget outlining fiscal management of your program/project. Be sure to indicate anticipated funding support from other sources and expected expenses to complete program/project.
  1. Be sure to include all required contact information or grant application cannot be processed.
  1. Please remember we MUST have a letter of support from your District Superintendent.

Application updated February 2015