Mission Endowment Grants

Mission Endowment Grants is sponsored by Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina (through Mission Funding Consortium). These grants support efforts to establish the Episcopal presence of Christ in communities in ways that bring the community to see Christ's presence among them. One and two-year grants are available.

Grants & Scholarships - Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina Last Updated: June 18, 2026 Below is a brief overview of grants available through the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina with links to applications, additional information and selection committee contacts. Learn about grant-writing with this handy beginner’s guide by the Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough.

GRANT WRITING BEGINNER'S GUIDE Not sure which grants might fund your project? Let us help! Building repairs and updates Fund a new collaborative mission project Fund a new worshiping community Implement a green initiative Fund an international mission project Maria joined the diocesan staff in April 2013.

Her responsibilities include all aspects of finance for the diocese, including the budget, common trust fund, health and retiree benefits and the general administration of the diocese. She also serves as the treasurer of the North Carolina Church Foundation. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a major in accounting and received her CPA.

Shortly after, she attended Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, graduating with her Master’s in Business Administration. Prior to working with the Diocese, she worked in public accounting and as an adjunct professor at Franklin University, where she enjoyed teaching students of all ages. Maria has been married to Jim, her college sweetheart from OSU, for 25 years.

She is the mom of three girls, two of whom are twins, and couldn’t imagine life without them. They are a constant joy. When not at work she enjoys being with her family and friends.

Maria loves relaxing at Lake Gaston, kayaking/paddle boarding, reading and walking her goldendoodles, Ginger and Penny. Becky joined the diocesan staff as an accountant in the spring of 2022. She will be a value-added member of our finance team and assist our chief financial officer with maintaining internal controls, preparing financial reports, and working on the diocesan audit and convention.

Becky is married to her best friend, Greg, and is the mom to a son and a daughter. In her free time, Becky enjoys reading, beginning new cross stitch projects and attending her daughter’s travel softball games.

Grants covered by the common application produced by the Mission Funding Consortium include the Mission Endowment Grant, the Mission Resource Support Team (MRST) seed and salary support grants, the parish grants and the North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation (NCECF) Grants.

The benefit to filling out the common application is its submission to all four of these granting boards, all of which are looking to disburse their funding to an expanded pool of applicants. Even if you believe your project only qualifies for one type of funding, the Mission Funding Consortium might be able to help you attain funding from sources you hadn’t considered.

Common Application 11/10/25 Common Application Reference Form 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution- Editable Word Version 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution-PDF 11/10/25 Individual grant deadlines apply. Please read the grant application carefully. CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION GRANTS FOR CLERGY & LAITY Diocesan funds are available to help clergy and laity participate in theological education programs.

These grants are administered by the Chartered Committee on Grants and are considered based on the following provisions: available money, event appropriateness, and application timeliness and thoroughness.

Continuing Theological Education Grant Application 11/10/25 Contact: Alf Badgett, 704-905-8166 , Committee on Grants chair Awarded through the Chartered Committee for Global Missions to support international missions that will contribute to the sustainability of the community served, with the prospect for self-sufficiency being particularly encouraged.

Global Mission Grants Webpage 12/02/25 Stay tuned for an updated application and guidelines for the 2020 grant cycle. We welcome grant requests ranging from $1000 – $5000. Deadline: April 1 and October 1, annually Contact: the Rev.

Rebecca Yarbrough and Dora Mbuwayesango, Chartered Committee on Global Mission co-chairs GREEN GRANTS: NC EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOUNDATION Green Grants are awarded to churches within the diocese looking to make facility improvements to reduce the consumption of energy or other natural resources required to operate church facilities.

Green Grants Application 11/10/25 Green Grants Webpage 11/24/25 Deadline: February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1, annually Contact: The Rev.

Brad Mullis, chair of the North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation GREEN GRANTS: CHARTERED COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY The North Carolina Diocesan Environmental Ministry Committee currently has green grants in the amounts of $250 and $500 available to assist congregations in our Diocese interested in starting an environmental ministry program.

Due to the strains on congregational resources caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, preference will be given to small and low income congregations.

Deadline: December 31, annually, or until funds are depleted Contact: David McDuffie, chair, Environmental Ministry Committee A scholarship which provides resources for women seeking specialized training in vocational or technical skills, a degree or certification below the masters or doctorate level, and/or continuing education courses for upgrading job skills.

This scholarship is overseen by the Episcopal Church Women’s Lex Matthew’s Scholarship Committee. Lex Mathews Scholarship Application 11/10/25 Lex Mathews Scholarship for Women Webpage 12/02/25 Contact: Flo Sessoms, diocesan ECW president MISSIONARY RESOURCE SUPPORT TEAM (MRST) GRANTS from the Missionary Resource Support Team MRST offers clergy salary support grants for the following calendar year.

Common Application 11/10/25 Common Application Reference Form 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution- Editable Word Version 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution-PDF 11/10/25 Deadline: May 1, annually Please contact the Rev. Ginny Wilder, MRST chair, with any questions. A grant supporting efforts to establish the Episcopal presence of Christ in communities in ways that brings the community to see Christ’s presence among them.

One and two-year grants are available; five grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 are awarded each year. Common Application 11/10/25 Common Application Reference Form 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution- Editable Word Version 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution-PDF 11/10/25 Deadline: May 1 and November 30, annually. In 2026 there will be no November grant cycle.

Please contact Sue Guptill, mission endowment grants chair, with any questions. The North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation, Inc., was established in 1955 for the purpose of aiding the expansion of the Church in the Diocese of North Carolina. An initial capital funds campaign raised over $300,000 to start this fund, which has grown over the years through additional gifts and investment income.

The Foundation has given over $3,000,000 in grants and loans since its beginning. The funds may be used for: The erection of needed church buildings or acquisition of church property. Capital repairs and renovations.

The NCECF also funds mission and historic church grants that provide assistance up to $10,000 to mission or historic congregations. Grants are typically based on need and are not repayable.

Contact: Diocesan House, 919-834-7474 Common Application 11/10/25 Mission Church Grant Guidelines & Application Form 12/02/25 NCEF Mission Church Grant Application 11/10/25 Seed funds are available to start qualifying outreach programs at congregations through the Chartered Committee on Grants Parish Grants program.

Common Application 11/10/25 Common Application Reference Form 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution- Editable Word Version 11/10/25 Sample Vestry Resolution-PDF 11/10/25 Deadline: May 1, annually Contact: Alf Badgett , 704-905-8166 , Committee on Grants chair Seminarian assistance is provided on a yearly basis for seminarians through the Seminarian Assistance Fund and the Trustees of the Francis J. Murdoch Memorial Society.

Applications are due annually by May 31. Funds will be distributed by the end of July. Funds are typically distributed directly to the seminary of your choice.

Seminarian Support Grant Application 12/02/25 Contact: Maria Gillespie, Chief Financial Officer for information about the Seminarian Assistance Fund.