Last Updated on September 1, 2023 by Lori Pace
Are you having trouble finding funds or grants for a faith-based project? Is this project close to your heart and a cause that you are passionate about? Don’t let the stress of funding stop you from achieving your goals.
You’re probably thinking, ‘How exactly can I get the money that I need for this project?’. So, well – have you looked into faith-based grants? These grants may be the answer that you have been looking for.
Several faith-based grants can help you finance your projects. All you have to do is find the best one suited to your organization’s project, apply for the grant, and keep your fingers crossed! Hence, if you are truly passionate about your organization’s project and believe that it’s part of your purpose, there is no reason for you not to apply for a faith-based grant.
Here are 5 amazing grants for churches and other faith-based grants that could take your project to the next level.
What Are Faith-Based Grants?
A faith-based organization refers to charitable organizations or nonprofits affiliated with a religious group or inspired by religious beliefs. However, this is not a legal term.
Based on that, we have the definition of Faith-Based Grants. These are grants for religious nonprofits, ministries, and interfaith programs that promote peace, justice and community development.
5 Faith-Based Grants To Support Single Moms
1. Isabel Foundation Grant
The Isabel Foundation was started in 1998 by Charles Stewart Harding Mott, in honor of his wife, Isabel. In short, the foundation’s goal is to promote and aid Christian Science projects.
This grant will be used for projects that focus on nursing, Christian Science, summer camps, or education. At least 75% of the Isabel Foundation’s Grant has been used towards nonprofits that focus on Christian Science healing.
Grant amount: maximum amount $450,000
Deadline: February 1, 2022
Grant eligibility criteria:
- The location of the project has to be the United States
- A non-profit organization that is registered as a 501c(3) with the Internal Revenue Service
- The organization is a supporter of the healing of Christian Science
Grant ineligibility criteria:
- A Christian Science branch
Awardee criteria:
- Your program supports the healing ministry of Christian Science
How to apply?
So, first-time grant applicants will need to create an account and watch the training videos recommended by the foundation. These training videos will give you helpful tips on how to be successful applicants for the grant. Previous grant applicants can simply log in to their accounts by entering their email address and password.
If your non-profit organization is awarded the grant, you may only the grant money for the agreed-upon purposes by the foundation. In order to view more information on the Isabel Foundation Grant visit their website today and start your application today.
2. Lilly Endowment: Religion Grants
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation that was founded in 1937 by Col. Eli Lilly after coming up with the idea of the organization with his father, Josiah Kirby Lilly, and brother J.K Lilly, J.R. The aim was to continue their family’s tradition of giving back to the public through acts of generosity. The organization has contributed to 10,048 charity organizations through their grants which have totaled $10.9 billion since they began. (*Yes! Billion… that’s brilliant!*)
The organization has continued its efforts of contributing to the public by supporting causes focused on religion, education, and community development. Through the organizations work with the religion they aim to enrich the lives of Christian Americans.
Grant amount: Varies
Deadline: Reviewing applicants continuously
Grant eligibility criteria:
- Christianity your organization’s field of work
- The location of the project has to be the United States
- Non-profit organization
Grant ineligibility criteria:
- Healthcare projects
- Mass media projects
- Libraries
- Loans to private individuals
- Proposal to finances pre-existing debt of the organization
Awardee criteria:
- Aiming to enrich the lives of Christian Americans
- Strengthening congregational liveliness
- Reinforcing pastor leadership
- Refining the public’s knowledge of religion
How to apply?
Write a letter that informs Lilly Endowment Inc. about your organization, focusing on when it started and your organization’s mission and values. Include the project that you would like to start in your organization and why this project will be beneficial, as well as how much support you will need from the foundation. Your letter can not be more than two pages and you will need to mail your letter to the following address:
Program Office
Lilly Endowment Inc.- 2801 N. Meridian St. P.O. Box 88068, Indianapolis, IN 46208-0068
The grant reviewing process may take up to approximately 6 months however, all applicants will receive a written decision from the organization. Once you have submitted your letter the program director of Lilly Endowment Inc. will review your proposal for their grant.
If your proposal meets all the necessary eligibility requirements it will then be reviewed by the relevant department, followed by the corporate officers. Then finally, the Endowment’s Board of Directors will review it. The board of directors reviews the grants in March, June, September, November, and December.
To view more information on the Lilly Endowment Religion Grants visit their website today and start your application.
3. St. Augustine Foundation Grant
The St. Augustine Foundation is a part of the Order of St. Augustine which is an international apostolic group of the Catholic Church.
Grant amount: maximum amount $100,00
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (prediction)
Grant eligibility criteria:
- The location of the project has to be the United States
- A non-profit organization that is registered as a 501c(3) with the Internal Revenue Service
- St. Augustine Foundation grants awardees need to be endorsed by a member of the Order of St. Augustine who understands the applicant’s organization
- A project that shows potential to become self-sustaining in the future
- The project shares the values and mission of the foundation
Grant ineligibility criteria:
- An organization expecting the grant money to be continuous
- The grant money cannot be used for the ordinary operations allowance of the organization
Awardee criteria:
The awardee will need to focus on one of the following areas of interest:
- Education
- Caring for newcomers of the community
- Community buildings and pastoral care
- Responding to emergency concerns of the community in need
How to apply?
The first step of the application will be the screening of your grant proposal, you can email your proposal to the Executive Director, David L. Canedo at dcanedo@thestaugustinefoundation.com, or give him a call on 619-564-8715. So, once your proposal has been successfully screened you will need to create your account and then provide your Federal Tax Information.
To view more information on the St. Augustine Foundation Grant visit their website today and start your application.
4. Interfaith Leadership & Religious Literacy Grant
The Interfaith Leadership & Religious Literacy Grant is provided by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation (AVDF). This foundation was founded by Mr. Arthur Vining Davis in 1952 and has since contributed more than $300 million through 3,800 grants. (*A-M-A-Z-I-N-G*)
AVDF is offering three types of grants; Planning Grants, Mid-Size Grants, and Transformational Grants. Each of these grant types has a unique amount, as well as unique eligibility criteria. However, all of the grant types share similar criteria that are in the following guidelines.
Grant amount: $25,000 – $300,000
Deadline: November 12, 2021 (2pm PST)
Grant eligibility criteria:
- The location of the project has to be in the United States
- Non-profit organization
- Contributing to a religiously knowledgeable public
Grant ineligibility criteria:
- Grants will not be awarded to individuals
- The foundation will not fund capital projects
- Direct service programs will not be funded by this grant such as food pantries, and housing services.
- Projects that are related to scholarships and endowments will not be supported by this foundation.
Awardee criteria:
The grant will be awarded to the organization that is aiming to advance mutual respect for faith traditions and religion. These organizations will do this by educating leaders in the fields of journalism, corporate leadership, and higher education.
How to apply?
- Submit a letter of intent – The letter should include a description of the project and activities included, the grant amount needed, and the predicted results of the project. Then, if your letter of intent is successful you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
- Full proposal – The full proposal will include a more in-depth description of the project, activities, and predicted results. As well as addressing key questions about the project. The full proposal will go through the 4 steps reviewing process.
- AVDF board review – If your full proposal successfully passes the review process the AVDF Board will review your proposal and make the final funding decision which will be sent via email.
To view more information on the Interfaith Leadership & Religious Literacy Grant and to view the grant calendar visit their website today and start your application.
5. Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation Grant
The Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation started in 2010, in Indianapolis, Indiana with the effort to provide philanthropic support through Jewish ideals.
Grant amount: maximum amount $15,000
Deadline: September 30, 2021
Grant eligibility criteria:
- The location of the project has to be in the United States
- A non-profit organization that is registered as a 501c(3) with the Internal Revenue Service
Grant ineligibility criteria:
- Organization affiliated with a for-profit agency
- A person
- A labor or veterans organization
- A debt reduction agency
- A Political contribution group
- An endowment
- A beauty or talent competition organization
- Grants will not be given to funding an organization’s general operations
Awardee criteria:
This grant can be awarded to all organizations that are registered as a 501c(3) with the Internal Revenue Service.
How to apply?
- First step: Eligibility quiz
- Second step: If you pass the quiz you can then create an account, as well as provide information about your organization, the project, the amount of grant money needed, and more information such as an audited financial statement of the previous year.
- Third step: Your information will be reviewed and if you are successful you will receive an email with the grant agreement.
To view more information on the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation Grant visit their website today and start your application.
In Conclusion About Faith Based Grants For Single Moms
While several faith-based grants aid many projects this does not mean all are suited to help your specific project. It is about finding the grant that is best for your organization and the one that your organization fits the grant eligibility criteria of.
The application process of applying for these grants can be tedious and even stressful. Luckily for you, we have found 5 amazing church grants that may be perfect for your organization. Now all you have to do is find which one out of these 5, best suits your project, and then you can start the application process. This list provides everything that you may need to know about these faith-based grants, as well as how to apply for each of them.
If these grants don’t suit your project and what you need funding for, don’t give up! All you need to do is a little more research and you will find the perfect faith-based grant for you.
A good idea would be to apply for more than one of these grants, to increase your chances of achieving your organization’s goal. Don’t wait any longer and start your application process today.
Good luck!
