Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Discipleship Ministry Area

122 W. Franklin Ave. #400, Minneapolis, MN 55404

612-870-0058;

Golden Cross Sunday

The Golden Cross Program supports health ministries in the United Methodist Church. Funds are raised from offerings gathered on an annual Golden Cross Sunday, observed on the first Sunday of May (preferred) in United Methodist congregations. The Health Ministries Action Team (HMAT) determines how the funds will be distributed in Minnesota.

The Golden Cross program began early in the history of Methodism in America, primarily to support church-related hospitals and long-term health care facilities. The Evangelical United Brethren Church also collected offerings to support its health-care institutions. When the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged in 1968, the Golden Cross Sunday offering was continued as a way to support the new denomination’s health-care ministries.

More recently, the Minnesota Golden Cross Fund has supported church-related hospitals and long-term care facilities, chaplaincy programs in Rochester and Fargo/Moorhead, Disabilities Awareness Ministries, Inc., parish nursing education programs, AIDS ministries, and other creative healing programs in the church and community.

Golden Cross Sunday observation materials can be obtained from the General Board of Global Ministries Service Center: (800) 305-9857

Funding Proposals

Grants of up to $1,500 per year will be awarded. Congregations and United Methodist-related institutions may submit grant proposals. Programs must focus on at least one of the following:

  • programs for individuals, families and congregations that focus on improving health
  • prevention and education initiatives
  • documented urgent and compelling health-care needs

Qualifications

  1. Priority will be given to proposals that involve their target population in identifying needs and exploring solutions.
  2. Proposals should show evidence of collaboration with other organizations or programs that have a similar mission in order to achieve optimal results.
  3. Funds must be used for the purpose stated in the proposal. Unused funds must be returned to the Golden Cross Fund.

Ineligibility

HMAT will not consider proposals for or from the following: individuals and their personal projects; political organizations, campaigns or lobbying activities; endowment or capital campaigns; fraternal organizations, societies or orders; or telephone solicitations.

Limitations

One organization may receive one grant per year for a maximum of three years. Receipt of a grant does not guarantee future support of a program. Golden Cross funds are limited and dependent on offerings received from congregations.

Submission Guidelines

  1. Complete a Golden Cross Grant application form in its entirety. Attach supporting documentation.
  2. Incomplete forms will not be considered.
  3. Proposals will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Proposals submitted early in the calendar year and well in advance of need stand a better chance of an award.
  4. Applicants who receive grants must file a Grant Performance Report within 30 days of the project’s completion.
  5. Churches that receive a Golden Cross Grant are strongly urged to observe Golden Cross Sunday, with offering, in their congregation.

Golden Cross Grant Application

Submit completed application form to the Health Ministries Action Team Leader c/o the Mission Ministry Team, 122 W Franklin Ave, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55404, or fax to (612) 870-1260. Please type or print clearly. Attach all information that may be helpful in supporting your request. If you have questions, please call the Rev. Otis Borop at
(952) 835-7585.

The request is not complete until you have answered all questions, and dated and signed the application. Please type or print clearly.

Name of Originator______

Preferred Mailing Address______

______

Church and/or Organization______

Phone NumbersWork______Home______

Cell______Pager______

Fax______

E-mail Address______

Please provide the following information completely, but briefly, using additional paper as needed:

  1. Project Title, Objectives and Brief Description:
  1. Anticipated length of project:
  1. Amount of grant request (include a detailed revenue and expense budget):
  1. Who are your partners in this project?
  1. Why are Golden Cross funds needed?
  1. Who and approximately how many persons will be served by this project?
  1. How will you measure your results?
  1. How will the project improve the health status of the community?
  1. How will you evaluate your project?
  1. Other information pertaining to your request:
  1. When will funds be needed?
  1. Have you received a Golden Cross grant before? (If “yes,” have you completed and filed a “Grant Performance Report”? New grant requests will not be considered until a performance report is completed on the previous grant.)

My signature confirms that I have read the Golden Cross Grant Guidelines, that I understand them, and that I will abide by them. My signature also confirms that all of the above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Signatures:

Originator______

Date______

Co-Sponsor(s)/Partner(s)______

Date______

Approvals:

Health Ministries Action Team Leader______

Date______

Mission Ministry Team Leader______

Date______

Golden Cross Grant Performance Report
(Must be completed annually or within 30 days after project completion.)
Please type or print clearly.

Your Name______

Phone Numbers______

Church Name and Town ______

Name of Project and Completion Date______

Please provide the following information completely, but briefly, using additional paper as needed:

  1. Approximate number of people served by your project:
  2. How did this project benefit your congregation and/or community?
  1. How were your original objectives met?
  1. What did you learn from doing this project?
  1. What other groups worked with you on this project, if any?
  1. What additional funding was obtained, if any?
  1. Please include a final budget detailing revenues and expenses.
  1. If continued, how will your project be funded in the future?
  1. How do you think this grant made a difference? Include testimonials, if available.
  1. How did you promote the Golden Cross Offering in your church?

Signature of Grant Originator______

Date: