First Congregational United Church of Christ
Mission Outreach Grants
The First Congregational Church of Downers Grove's Mission Outreach Grants, generously funded by the Jack Schwemm family, seeks to visibly enhance First Congregational's mission, ministry, and outreach within and beyond our church's walls.
Our grants offer financial assistance for new and innovative opportunities that are specifically designed to catalyze positive change, reverse injustices, transform lives or situations, and respond to unmet needs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Applicants must demonstrate impact in areas such as community service, mission, stewardship, fellowship, social and economic justice, leadership development, education, and spiritual enrichment - carried out in God's great name.
Examples of projects include hands-on mission work, program development or participation, and training opportunities. Additional requirements of grantees will include educating others and the congregation about these initiatives, and encouraging congregant and community participation in this work.
Mission Outreach Grants support short-term work with goals designed to be completed within one year of the award. Grants will be awarded twice-yearly (fall and spring) on a competitive basis in amounts up to $1,000 per grant. All First Congregational members or groups, including youth, are eligible to apply. Applicants may reapply for any round of funding with a new idea or to continue a previously funded project; more than one application proposing different mission projects or programs may be submitted simultaneously. First Congregational staff and members of the Mission Outreach Grant advisory team are not eligible for the grants.
These grants are intended for direct, individual mission and/or program work only and cannot be used for other purposes, for donations to other agencies or groups, as indirect gifts, or as a pass-through to another organization.
Awarding of the grants is completely within the discretion of the Mission Outreach Grant advisory team. All decisions are final.
AProject Outcomes and Impact Summary must be submitted at the end of the funding period and may take the form of a written document, presentation to the congregation, a Moment of Awareness, or other media as suitable to the project or program.
The application and two letters of reference* must be sent electronically to A signature page by the applicant and both references must be submitted separately to First Congregational Church. Additionally, applicants under 18 must have a signature of their parent or legal guardian.
*Letters of reference may not come from a family member.
For more information, contact Craig Metros at or 847/703-3500.
First Congregational Churchof Downers Grove
Mission Outreach Grant Reference
This reference letter seeks to help us get to know the applicant better and understand their request to receive support for their upcoming mission experience. Note that letters of reference may not come from a family member. We consider applications through the following criteria:
- The mission
- Impact, outcomes, and timeliness of the mission
- Availability of Funds
Thank you for sharing from your relationship with this individual. Please know that all responses are confidential and will be seen only by First Congregational Church’s senior minister and the review committee.
Application Due Date: April 15th, 2014
Grant Award Announcement: May 15th, 2014
Reference Contact Information
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:
About the Applicant
How long have you known the individual, and in what context?
Briefly describe your relationship with this individual:
Please share your insights into how you believe this individual will accomplish her/his stated mission opportunity:
How will this opportunity further this applicant’s relationship with God and/or expand First Congregational mission outreach?
Do you have any concerns with the applicant’s proposed project and her/his ability to complete it as outlined within the one year timeframe?
Please add any other thoughts or comments pertaining to the applicant or the mission project:
Please submit this reference form electronically to
Additionally, sign the signature page, scan and email to
Or send as hard copy to:
First Congregational United Church of Christ
1047 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL60515
Attn: Mission Outreach Grants
Applications will not be considered complete for review until all necessary signature pages are received for each application. Thank you.
Mission Outreach Grants, Spring 2014