Chalice Lighters Grant Application for New Congregation Organizing—Multi-Grant Program
To be submitted to the Growth Committee of the CER
(Revised: ____)
Please refer to Chalice Lighters Grant Policies on the CER web site for grant related policy, deadlines and information about assistance in completing this form. Any congregation in development may apply for a Chalice Lighter grant.
Name of Congregation: ______
Meets at (address): ______
Mailing Address: ______
______Website ______
Phone ( ) ______Fax ( ) ______E-mail ______
Project Manager: ______
Address: ______
______
Phone (H)( ) ______(W)( ) ______E-mail: ______
Chalice Lighter Grants have a clear agenda: to provide resources
to congregations choosing to become
"full service congregations" or to achieve significant growth.
The following Growth Committee Policy is applicable to any group or congregation contemplating a grant request for New Congregation Organizing.
GENERAL POLICY ON GRANTS FOR ORGANIZATION OF A NEW CONGREGATION
Approved by the Growth Committee 11/4/06
1. New congregation organizing grants may be for an “organizer” or for other organizing activities; the plan and application should indicate other sources of support for the project.
2. Organizing grant applications must be accompanied by an organizing plan showing favorable demographics, commitments of financial and organizational support from sponsoring congregations, and the composition of a steering committee including members with UU experience and commitment to attending training in new congregation organizing. The most effective way to build an anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multicultural congregation is to start with this objective at the organizing phase. Thus, we encourage the steering committee to establish welcoming all oppressed groups named by UUA as a goal and include members highly committed to this work. We encourage a commitment to training of the congregation in anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural work.
3. Applications for new congregation organizing grants should be prepared in conjunction with the CER staff before being submitted to the Growth Committee.
4. A new congregation also can apply for a second grant for a minister or DRE two years after the payout starts on an initial grant for the same position (i.e., they could receive two incomes from grants for one year for the same position but the payout schedule may be adjusted).
Section 1 – Information regarding the grant being requested
(attach separate pages as necessary)
1. Type of Grant:
Check one:
____ New Congregation Organizing: A one time grant to provide assistance with gathering and organizing a new congregation of any size within the geographical limits of the Central East Region.
____ New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program Initial Application (Grant 1): This is a grant program which provides significant funding for a 200+ member, full service Unitarian Universalist Congregation. One application is submitted for up to five grants; all grants do not have to be used. It is expected that all five grants will be authorized and completed within 3-5 years. Congregations may not proceed to the next grant before demonstrating that adequate progress is being made towards the benchmarks for the most recent grant awarded. This grant process does not include grants for building or lands. Congregations may apply for those grants separately.
Important Note: Given the high expectations for this multi grant program, any group contemplating an application must be in conversation with the Growth Committee and the Central East Region for at least six months prior to the initial application.
_____ New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program Follow On Grants (Grants 2-5)
2. Grant Summary:
On a separate sheet, please briefly summarize how you will use these funds. If you are requesting Grants 2-5 under the New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program, please provide a narrative description of your progress since the initial application and any other information you think may be relevant to the committee’s review process.
3. Funding Summary:
A. By year, how much funding do you expect to provide for this function in addition to the grant?
Year 1 ______Year 2 ______Year 3 ______
B. Please briefly describe how you plan to continue funding the function once the grant is completed.
C.When do you want/expect to begin using your grant? (Month/year) ______
Grants paid out monthly must be fully paid no more than 5 years from the date of award. Lump sum grants must be fully paid out 3 years from the date of award. Grants not fully paid by these deadlines will be forfeited.
Instructions for determining a firm grants payout for successful grantees will be included in the award letter. You may request a different payout schedule at that time but your proposal should reflect a payout that is in accordance with standard payout policy.
4. Other Considerations:
A. Describe how your grant application relates and/or contributes to regional growth.
B. Describe your congregation’s efforts (such as policies, programs or events) to support the anti-racist, anti oppressive, multicultural (ARAOMC) goals of the UUA.
5. Additional information required for the New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program:
Please provide the supporting documentation that correlates to the grant that you are applying for (program entry/Grant 1 or follow on grant/Grants 2-5). The latest version of documents specified under Grants 2-5 should be provided, even if they have been submitted under a previous grant request.
New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program Entry Requirements
In order to be considered, the initial application must demonstrate that these benchmarks have already been met:
Feasibility statement completed (includes demographic studies) and accepted by the Central East Region.
Affirmation of CER is obtained.
Case Statement presented to Growth Committee
Evidence of financial and logistical support from a sponsoring congregation or congregations,
including one willing to act as fiduciary agent.
Steering Committee/Core Group will have a minimum of 10 individuals.
90% of Steering Committee Core Group will pledge at the “visionary level” of 5% or more of
Adjusted Gross Income.
Section 2 – Information about your congregation
1. Please attach a copy of your preliminary long range plan that addresses these five areas:
A. Membership B. Programs C. Facilities D. Finances E. Staff
When was it approved by your steering committee?______
Adjunct staff is available to work with your congregation to develop a long-range plan if you do not have one. If interested, contact Andrea Lerner at .
2. Financial Information (if applicable)
Number of pledge units______
Total amount pledged______
Total income (all sources) $______$______$ ______
Total expenses $______$______$ ______
Please attach:
A. The current year's budget.
B. Estimated budgets for the next 3-5 years showing how the proposed project will be supported in the future.
Section 3 – Application requirements
1.PreliminaryLong-range plan. Have you attached your plan? Yes ___
2.Financial information: Have you attached a proposed annual budgetYes ___
for the current fiscal year and a proposed 3-5-year budget projection?
3. Supporting Documentation: If you are applying for a grant under the New
Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program, please refer to Section 1.8
for a list of required supporting documentation. Having reviewed this list,
have you provided all required documentation?Yes ___
3.Evaluation. Two measurement tools are required for the life of the grant.
A. Annual Grant Implementation Report: The Project Manager must provide a
quarterly membership statistics and weekly attendance.
B. Annual Grant Report: A written report that describes the efficacy of the grant,
using whatever indicators the congregation believes are meaningful. The
annual grant report should include the congregation’s annual report, if one is
produced. Do you agree to write and submit these evaluations and report? Yes ___
4.UUA Full Fair Share Congregation. Grant recipients must intend to be a UUA Full
Fair Share congregations at the time of affiliation. Does your congregation intend to
be a UUA Full Fair Share Congregation? Yes ___
5.Communication. Do you agree to send a copy of your newsletter during the period
of the grant to the Grant Manager identified in the letter notifying the
applicant of the grant award?Yes ___
(Authorized by) ______Date: ______
Steering Committee Chair
Applications approved by the congregation or applications that implement plans already approved by the congregation will be given the greatest consideration. Please indicate whether the application was approved by the congregation, the Board of Trustees (or equivalent) or both.
This application was approved by: ______on (date) ______
Deadlines for Applications:
August 1 for September grant decision. Intent must be filed by June 1.
December 1 for January grant decision. Intent must be filed by October 1.
March 1 for April grant decision. Intent must be filed by January 1.
Send the completed application and pertinent attachments electronically to and to by the applicable deadline.
Revised: ______
New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program
Grant 1 - New congregation organizing
1. District appointed organizer to assist with long range strategy and planning
2. Assist steering committee with start up/gathering activities
3. Facilitation of a mission/vision/covenant process with Steering committee and/or core group
4. This phase would ordinarily take 6 months to one year.
Supporting documents for entry into the New Congregation Development Program and Grant 1
1. Feasibility statement
2. Report of the New Congregation Committee
3. Letter(s) of Support from Sponsoring Congregations
4. Letter of Commitment from Sponsoring Congregation acting as fiduciary agent
5. List of Steering Committee/Core Group members
6. Report on pledged financial support from Steering Committee/Core Group
Benchmarks to be met before moving on to Grant 2:
Mission, Vision, Covenant Completed
PreliminaryLongRange Plan and Long Range Financial Plan are completed
Date for initiation of Public Worship and Religious Education Program set.
First Public Worship Target Attendance: 100 children and adults.
Average pledge is at the sustaining level of 3% or more of Adjusted Gross Income.
New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program
Grant 2 - Staffing A-1/2 FTE Total
Add one ½ time professional staff
(Professional staff, also known as program staff, is generally considered to be the minister, DRE, and music director.)
1. Part time staff will be hired to continue new congregation organizing activity and begin ministry
and program development.
2. Fair compensation package according to UUA guidelines is required for all positions.
Supporting documents for Grant 2:
1. Copy of Mission, Vision and Covenant
2. Copy of Preliminary Long Range Plan that includes a timeline showing dates for initiation of
Public Worship and Religious Education and projected attendance figures.
3. Copy of Preliminary Long Range Financial Plan that includes 3 years of projected budgetary data.
Key areas to be addressed include: facilities, programming, staffing, administration, projected
grant income from all sources, projected pledge income from all sources.
4. Evidence of average pledge: supporting data can include mean, quartile analysis, pledge records.
5. Job description for proposed position.
6. Description of compensation package that includes evidence of fair compensation in accordance
with UUA Guidelines.
Benchmarks to be met before moving on to Grant 3:
One program area in addition to Sunday worship and RE will be established and sustained for a period of six months (Social Justice, Music, Small Group Ministry, Adult Programs).
Long Range Plan and Long Range Financial Plan updated.
Governance system established; bylaws accepted.
Establish budget line item of 1.5% for leadership training.
Leaders attend district and denominational training.
Charter Sunday is held (Target membership: 75).
Average attendance target, including adults and children is at least 40.
Average pledge is at the sustaining level of 3% or more of Adjusted Gross Income.
Staffing is maintained at Fair Compensation level for preceding six months.
New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program
Grant 3 - Staffing B – 1 FTE Total
Increase staff to one full-time OR two half time professional positions
1. Additional staff time will be added to continue moving emerging congregation towards full service status.
2. Fair compensation package according to UUA guidelines is required for all positions.
Supporting Documents for Grant 3:
1. Detailed description of program area in addition to Sunday worship and Religious Education.
2. Copy of updated Long Range Plan and Long Range Financial Plan.
3. Description of governance process.
4. Copy of by-laws and date that by-laws were accepted by the congregation.
5. Statement of inclusion of budget line item of 1.5% for leadership training.
6. List of district and denominational training sessions attended by congregational leaders.
7. Description of Charter Sunday event
8. Evidence of average attendance figures.
9. Evidence of average pledge.
10. Job description for proposed position (if new position or change in responsibilities).
11. Description of compensation package that includes evidence of fair compensation in accordance with UUA Guidelines.
Benchmarks to be met before moving on to Grant 4:
Second program area in addition to Sunday worship and RE will be established and sustained for a period of nine months (Social Justice, Music, Small Group Ministry, Adult Programs).
Long Range Plan and Long Range Financial Plan updated.
Average attendance increases by 20 %.
Average pledge is at the sustaining level of 3% of more of Adjusted Gross Income.
Staffing is maintained at Fair Compensation Level for preceding 12 months.
New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program
Grant 4 - Staffing C – 1.5 FTE Total
Increase staff to one full time AND one half time professional position
1. Additional staff time will be added to continue moving emerging congregation towards full service status.
2. Fair compensation package according to UUA guidelines is required for all positions.
Supporting Documents for Grant 4:
1. Detailed description of second program area in addition to Sunday worship and Religious
Education.
2. Copy of updated Long Range Plan and Long Range Financial Plan.
3. Evidence of increase in attendance figures.
4. Evidence of average pledge.
5. Job description for proposed position (if new position or change in responsibilities).
6. Description of compensation package that includes evidence of fair compensation in accordance with UUA Guidelines.
Benchmarks to be met before moving on to Grant 5:
Establish budget line item of 1.5% dedicated to sponsoring growth and development of new
congregations.
Long Range Plan and Long Range Financial Plan updated.
Leaders are involved in the broader work of the movement as evidenced by volunteering for
district or UUA committees.
Average attendance increases by 10 to 20 %.
Average pledge is at the sustaining level of 3% of more of Adjusted Gross Income.
Staffing is maintained at Fair Compensation Level for preceding 12 months.
New Congregation Organizing Multi Grant Program
Grant 5 - Staffing D – 2 FTE Total
Add one half time position OR increase second position to full time
1. Additional staff time will be added to continue moving emerging congregation towards full service
status.
2. Fair compensation package according to UUA guidelines is required for all positions.
Supporting Documents for Grant 5:
1. Statement of inclusion of budget line item of 1.5% for growth and development of new
congregations.
2. Copy of updated Long Range Plan and Long Range Financial Plan.
3. List of volunteer efforts at district or denominational level.
4. Evidence of increase in attendance figures.
5. Evidence of average pledge.
6. Job description for proposed position (if new position or change in responsibilities).
7. Description of compensation package that includes evidence of fair compensation in accordance
with UUA Guidelines.
GRANT IS NOW COMPLETE
Benchmarks to be met before any future Chalice Lighter grant is considered:
Conduct a financial feasibility study to assess readiness for capital campaign.
Average attendance increases by 10-15% from the time of the last grant award.
Average pledge of 3% of adjusted gross income is maintained.
District Executive assesses and affirms that all benchmarks have been met.
Staffing is maintained at Fair Compensation Level for preceding 12 months.