Mission Grants
Synod annual mission grants assist congregations and UCA entities fund mission and ministry programs, and capital works projects. They are funded from a combination of bequests, specific purpose funds and general Synod funds (Mission and Service Giving and interest on investments).
Each approved program is carefully matched to funding sources according to specific parameters. Great care is taken to ensure the money adheres to the approved purpose and fund criteria. Any part of the grant which is not used for the approved purpose is returned for redistribution.
Annual evaluation reports for a calendar year are due by April of the following year.
Application forms and supporting material are available at the bottom of this page to assist congregations, presbyteries and agencies in discussing relevant projects and funding applications.
Grants for Mission or Ministry Programs
Each year, grants may be offered to support specific ministry or mission programs. These are available for a period of up to five years, as nominated, to be paid in monthly instalments. The program is applicable to congregations, parish missions, presbyteries, and Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania).
Normally, the application forms and accompanying Mission Proposal Supporting Document are available each April. Completed applications are submitted via presbytery or Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) as appropriate to the Grants Coordinator in July. The proposals are considered by the relevant committee in August and September, and applicants will be advised of the outcome in October before the grant takes effect the following January.
For congregations and parish missions, please note applications must be reviewed and endorsed by the relevant presbytery before submission. It is recommended applicants work closely with their presbytery from the early stages of the application so it has a comprehensive understanding of the proposal. Presbyteries generally require applications be submitted in June to allow sufficient time for endorsement.
Recipients of successful grants are to provide annual program evaluations to keep us abreast of the progress. This helps us gauge the program’s continuing viability and apply any learnings to future grant programs. It also assists those managing compliance for a number of funding sources.
Grants for Capital Works Programs
Each year, grants are offered to assist mission-focused building projects and are available for two years beginning the January after approval. Funds are drawn down as required to either pay the service provider directly or reimburse the UCA entity.
The grants are funded from three sources:
- Capital Works Fund
- Heritage Buildings Fund (Victoria and Tasmania)
- Early Childhood Building Maintenance Relief Fund.
This program is applicable to congregations, parish missions and presbyteries. Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) agencies can only apply for the Early Childhood fund.
Normally, application forms and the accompanying Mission Proposal Supporting Document are available each April. Completed applications are submitted via presbytery or Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) as appropriate to the Grants Coordinator in July.
The proposals are considered by the relevant Committee in August and September, and applicants will be advised of the outcome in October before the grant takes effect the following January.
For congregations and parish missions, please note applications must be reviewed and endorsed by the relevant presbytery before submission. It is recommended applicants work closely with their presbytery from the early stages of the application so it has a comprehensive understanding of the proposal. Presbyteries generally require applications be submitted in June to allow sufficient time for endorsement.
We also recommended applicants work closely with Synod Property Services when developing the project scope and costings before applying. All projects require separate approval of the details of the building project by the Property and Operations Committee or its delegated authority.
For more information, go to our Property page.
Successful applicants must provide annual program evaluations to keep us abreast of the progress. This helps us gauge the program’s continuing viability and apply any learnings to future grant programs. It also assists those managing compliance for a number of funding sources.
All approved programs are carefully matched to funding sources according to specific parameters so it is imperative the grant adheres to the approved purpose and criteria.
This grant program is open for applications in August 2022.
Small Grants for Small Rural Congregations
Grants up to $5,000 are available to small rural congregations to build community, either as a congregation or in connecting with the wider district. The funds may be used to assist with the direct costs of mission programs or facilities, as agreed by the presbytery. In normal circumstances, the regular maintenance of property will not be given a high priority.
Eligible congregations are located in self-contained townships of populations up to 5000 people. A self-contained community is one that is not part of a group of conjoined communities. A successful grant recipient cannot apply for a grant more than once in any three-year period.
Completed applications are submitted via presbytery to the Grants Coordinator by the nominated date. The proposals are considered by the Mission Grants Executive, and applicants will be advised of the outcome and payments distributed in November.
This grant program is open for applications in August 2022.
More information
For more information on the property approval process go to our Property page.