2027 Service & Missions Grant Application

Dear Friend in Ministry,

The Service and Missions Committee of First United Methodist Church of Belmont is grateful for the many ways organizations like yours are sharing Christ’s love in our community and beyond. Each year, our committee has the privilege of awarding mission grants to support ministries that embody compassion, justice, and hope. We invite you to apply for a grant for 2027.

Grant Size and Duration
Grants vary in size, but typically range from $500 to $2,000+.

Eligibility
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, congregations, and educational institutions, both domestic and international. 

Our Criteria
In reviewing applications, the Committee will consider the following criteria.  We do not expect every applicant to meet all of them; rather, they serve as a guide for how we seek to partner in ministry.

1.      Congregational Involvement – Are members of our congregation already engaged with this organization through service, volunteering, or other support?

2.     Focus Areas – Does the proposal address one of our core priorities: hunger, housing and homelessness, or children?

3.     Relationships – Will this grant create opportunities for our congregation to engage, connect, and build lasting relationships?

4.     Serving the Margins – Does this project serve those who are most vulnerable or marginalized?

5.     Impact – Will this contribution make a difference for the organization and the people it serves?

6.     United Methodist Connection – Does this grant strengthen our ties within the wider United Methodist Church and help us live into our connectional identity?

How to Apply
You may apply in one of two ways:

·       Mail a completed application to FUMC Belmont, Attention: Service and Missions Committee, 
807 South Point Road, Belmont, NC 28012

·       Complete the online application at www.fumcbelmont.org/2027grant

Deadline and Notification
Applications must be received by October 26, 2026 at 12:00 noon.  Confirmation of receipt will be sent by email. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by mid-December, 2026, and grants will be disbursed in two installments in 2027.

If you have questions, please contact: Lisa Millspaw, Missions & Service Committee Chair at lmillspaw@hotmail.com, or George Ragsdale, Senior Pastor, at george@fumcbelmont.org .  We look forward to hearing more about your work and how, together, we might share in God’s mission for the sake of the world.

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ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
Name of Organization
Mailing Address
Website
Contact Person (Name)
Contact Person (Phone)
Contact Person (Email)
Brief Description of your mission and primary programs (2-3 sentences)

Please describe your organization’s governance structure and how you ensure accountability in leadership, finances, decision-making, and the use of grant funds.

Are you a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a ministry of the United Methodist Church?
PROJECT/PROGRAM INFORMATION
Title of the project/program for which you seek funding
Total cost of project/program
Amount requested from FUMC Belmont
Total Operating Budget for 2025 and 2026, respectively
Grant check(s) made payable to:
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR GRANT CRITERIA
*** The following questions reflect the values we consider when awarding grants. Your project does not need to meet every criterion — please share where your proposal connects.
Are members of FUMC Belmont already involved with your organization (through volunteering, partnerships, or other support)? If yes, please describe.
Does your proposal address one of our core priorities—hunger, housing and homelessness, or children? If yes, please explain how.
How will this grant help create opportunities for our congregation to engage, connect, and build relationships?
Who will benefit from this grant, and how does it serve those who are most vulnerable or marginalized?
How will this grant make a meaningful difference for your organization and the people you serve?
Does your organization have ties to the United Methodist Church? If so, please describe how this project strengthens our shared mission.
EVALUATION AND REPORTING
How will you measure the impact of this grant? (Briefly describe outcomes or indicators of success.)

If funded, are you willing to provide a short update to us Committee within 6–12 months?

AUTHORIZATION
Submitted by (name, title, date)
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