Grant and Fund Opportunities
The following is a list of grant and fund opportunities available from various departments and agencies of the Kentucky Annual Conference.
Kentucky Conference Mission Grants will be awarded annually by the Kentucky Conference Mission Team. Grants of up to $5,000 are available from two grant pools - one for mission work within the Kentucky Annual Conference, and one for mission work internationally. The eligibility and guidelines for each grant pool are described in detail below, with links to applications. Grant applications for both pools open January 1, 2023 and close February 28, 2023. Grants are funded by earnings from the Merrick Fund and the Thorton Estate Fund. For more information...click here.
The Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CFA) awards grants for local church ministries related to technology, stewardship, and leadership development. To read more about this grant opportunity, click here.
The Good Samaritan Ministries team awards grants for health care and health education to not-for-profits in Kentucky. To read more about this grant opportunity, click here.
The Eastern Kentucky Ministries team awards grants to not-for-profits in Eastern Kentucky. To read more about this grant opportunity, click here.
The Trustees award grants from the Frank C. King Fund as a matching grant for capital improvements. This grant is limited to congregations with smaller worship attendance. To read more about this grant opportunity, click here.
The Kentucky United Methodist Foundation. As part of our stewardship ministry, the Foundation will gladly come to your church to provide assistance, such as:
- Establishing a permanent endowment committee
- Starting (or revitalizing) a planned giving program to encourage gifts to your endowment
- Seminars on estate planning and charitable giving
- Investment options for churches and agencies
The purpose of the Kentucky Young Clergy Initiative Youth Ministry Grant is to support youth (that’s you!) in a response to a ministry need in your local church and community. It is our hope that this opportunity will grow your faith and help you further discern God’s call upon your life. Thank you for using your gifts and passion to love God and serve others!
Methodist Education Fund (MEF) - MEF funds is a grant from the Kentucky Annual Conference for certified candidates in seminary.
The Ramseyer Ministry Education Grant is a scholarship which is offered through the Kentucky Annual Conference and the Board of Ordained Ministry.
Josephine Rudy Smith Scholarship Fund - In 1948, Mrs. Smith’s son initiated the fund through a donation of $40,000, in her memory, for the purpose of assisting ministerial students with their seminary expenses.
United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network Hunger and Poverty Grant - Applications are accepted at any time; however, applications are only reviewed and funded twice a year. The submission deadline in 2022 is April 1, 2022. Complete applications must be received on or before the submission deadline to be considered for that cycle of funding. Incomplete applications can be held until the next funding cycle. For more information, www.umamn.org.
Please note there may be other grant opportunities administered by other ministry teams that better fit your needs. For more information on these grants, please contact the ministry departments.