Mustard Seed Migration Grant Program

Mustard Seed Migration Grant Program is sponsored by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR offers grants to United Methodist Churches in the United States to aid migrants in their local communities through new, one-time community-based service projects and ministries focused on migrants and refugees.

Welcoming the Stranger in Communities | Global Ministries WELCOMING THE STRANGER IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S. Maria Chavalan Sut, a refugee fleeing violence in Guatemala, found sanctuary and was a beneficiary of a Mustard Seed Migration Grant at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Photo: Courtesy of Maria Chavalan Sut UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program encourages U.S.-based United Methodist churches to engage in community-based ministries with migrants and refugees in their midst. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed …” — Matthew 13:31 Tiny mustard seeds, as Jesus described in his parable, have the potential to grow into something big or pervasive that spreads throughout a field.

By learning more about migrants in local communities and addressing their needs through these grants, we hope that the “seed” of welcoming strangers might be planted in new ways in United Methodist congregations around the country. Apply for a Mustard Seed Migration Grant “Welcome the stranger” in your community with a grant of up to $2,000 for a community-based service project and ministry focused on migrants and refugees.

Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis within 30 days of submission. Mustard Seed Migration Grants in Action Watch these videos to discover how participating churches across the country have used their Mustard Seed Migration Grants to care for vulnerable migrants and refugees in their communities.

Meeting Christ at the table In Bismarck, South Dakota, Legacy United Methodist Church is supporting Ukrainian refugees through shared meals and transportation assistance. A clothing shopping event for families Emory Fellowship, a United Methodist congregation in Washington, D. C.

, hosted a free clothing shopping event for 100 migrant families at a local school. Bicycles for Refugees program A coalition of United Methodist churches in Albany, New York provided transportation to refugee families for employment, shopping and general transportation through their Bicycles for Refugees program.

View All Migration & Refugees Stories Rooted in Partnership and Hope Global Ministries and Higher Education & Ministry hold joint board meeting in Kenya. Rooted in Partnership and Hope Global Ministries and Higher Education & Ministry hold joint board meeting in Kenya.

“This Moment Matters” Initiative disburses $24 Million To-Date Launched in 2025, “This Moment Matters” has awarded hundreds of bridge grants to address critical gaps in need in the areas of food security, education, health, migration, and peace.

“This Moment Matters” Initiative disburses $24 Million To-Date Launched in 2025, “This Moment Matters” has awarded hundreds of bridge grants to address critical gaps in need in the areas of food security, education, health, migration, and peace. Putting Aside Differences to Protect Our Neighbors Who Is My Neighbor? Lenten Devotion Series: Week 5 Putting Aside Differences to Protect Our Neighbors Who Is My Neighbor?

Lenten Devotion Series: Week 5 Explore Our Other Migration Ministries Learn how we provide support for migrants and refugees around the world. Photo: Mike DuBose, UM News