Olympia Presbytery Grants
Olympia Presbytery offers grants to congregations and new worshiping communities to spur revitalization and creativity in ministry. These grants are administered by the Leadership Council in cooperation with the Commission on Ministry.
Five things to know about OlyPres Grant-making:
1. More than one church may be co-applicants for a shared ministry experiment. Churches may collaborate across denominational lines.
2. A grant application advocate from COM or Leadership Council is encouraged. Help in identifying an advocate is available.
3. Matching funds from the applicant(s) may include other grants from the local community.
4. Grant funds may be allocated on a staggered basis (for example, if the request is $15,000, to award $5,000 for the first stage; and $10,000 upon completion of an agreed upon goal or target).
5. Churches affiliated with Olympia Presbytery by history, merger, or pastoral leadership are eligible to apply.
We hope that these grants are large enough to generate imagination and energy, and small enough to allow us to offer as many grants as possible from the Presbytery’s available resources.
Matching funds grants may be awarded for:
Capital expenses for technology, remodel, or repair of facilities for use in revitalization
Developing a comprehensive web and social media presence
Establishing a community garden, food bank or housing for poor and homeless in our community
Staffing that connects the membership with an unreached or underserved demographic
Contracting with a Vital Congregations Coach
Staff & Structure Grants:
It is recommended that Presbytery provide churches grants for up to ½ the cost of working with a mission coach, trainer, or consultant. These grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
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Revitalization Grants are matching grants of $5,000-$25,000, offered by the Presbytery of Olympia for the purpose of revitalizing existing churches. The expectation of matching funds from small or struggling churches may be waived where inability is clearly demonstrated.
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Seed Grants are grants of up to $5000, offered for innovative ministry experiments. These non-renewable grants.
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Hunger Grants are grants up to $500/year that come from 2 Cents-A-Meal Hunger Funds, to be used for projects that alleviate hunger.
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Peacemaking Grants are grants that come from the Peace and Global Witness Offering, to be used to create a project, engage, or partner with on-going efforts which will engage people actively in peacemaking.