Catalyst Grants

Catalyst Grants is sponsored by Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ (UCC). Catalyst Grants support local congregations in expanding their ministry through partnerships with people outside the congregation to address local needs, build new relationships, or nurture conversations about sensitive topics.

Catalyst Grants | Wisconsin Conference UCC Home 9 Resource Center 9 Catalyst Grants Take a risk. Try something new, in partnership with your community. Catalyst grants exist to fund innovative ministry.

We also seek projects that further the Wisconsin Conference’s core justice initiatives of racial justice and immigration. “Behold, I am doing a new thing. ” — Isaiah 43:19 Catalyst’s mission is to encourage and resource innovative ministries that transform lives.

The Catalyst Team, made up of representatives from across the state, works to spark and stimulate innovation and creativity in congregations throughout the Wisconsin Conference by providing grant funding for congregations in the Wisconsin Conference.

We get excited by projects that reveal how local congregations are expanding the notion of church beyond the walls of their building by transforming lives in partnership with their local communities. We also seek projects that further the Wisconsin Conference’s core justice initiatives: Racial Justice, Immigration and Care of Creation. See also the detailed Catalyst Statement of Purpose .

View Projects that received past funding Find a Recent Catalyst project near you The ideal Catalyst Grants include: Partnering with community Catalyzing–starting something new Partnerships with other churches/shared resources Addresses a need in your community Less desirable in Catalyst Grants Pass thru (just taking $ from UCC and giving it to another charity) Lack of involvement by members/community Capital improvements–equipment upgrades One-time event–not sustaining–short-term impact Which grant fits my idea?

Catalyst grants help congregations take a risk, as the members stretch into new good works in partnership with others from your local community. For Short-Term Initiatives: Your idea adds or expands a ministry that partners with people outside the congregation. You build new relationships and experiences between local congregation(s) members and people nearby, as you work together to address a local need.

The idea will be implemented within one year. We grant up to $5,000. Your request should typically be no more than 50% of the estimated total expense.

Examples of past projects: Organizing a community concert and entertainment series whose proceeds support a local free clinic as well as a food pantry. Rebuilding a local meal program in a way that generates wider support from other community organizations. Starting a free clothing closet for the county in a nearby unused building through efforts of both congregation and community.

For Community Conversations: Your idea nurtures conversations about sensitive topics. The goal is learning from one another and from invited guests through discussion groups, book studies, speaker series, workshops, etc. We grant up to $1,500. Your request should typically be no more than 50% of the estimated expense.

Examples of past projects: Lenten speaker series on Racial Justice, a collaboration of two urban and three suburban congregations, expanding the perspectives of all involved An educational series on the Doctrine of Discovery, including PhD guest speakers from indigenous cultures. For Long-Term Initiatives Using funds from the Leadership Forward capital campaign happening now.

These grants encourage you to try out big ideas that require up to three years to implement between congregations and local community groups.) Steps to apply for a Catalyst Grant Contact the program coordinator Mary Kuenning Gross: via email or at (262) 271-8990. Your conversation with her is to share your idea, and to explore questions that can help you prepare your grant application.

Talk to us early. We do not expect you to have “all the answers” – these grants are about helping congregations decide to take a risk, as the members stretch into new good works in partnership with others from your local community. Apply online.

The application is an online form that must be completed in one sitting. Download this pdf version to help you prepare to answer the questions. When you are ready, here is the link to the online form .

We accept applications year-round. Catalyst Grants for Short-Term Initiatives and Catalyst Grants for Community Conversations are both granted quarterly (May, August, November, February) based on review of applications received by due dates a month earlier: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 . via email or at (262) 271-8990.

See portions of an example grant application See past grant award recipients Worship materials that can inspire new ideas. Download this pdf application