Innovation Grant Application

Innovation Grant Application

The District Mission Council is charged with the local distribution of an annual budget allocation from the Pacific Southwest District Board of Directors. In coordination with the District, the DMC will work to coordinate and evaluate the applications of Grantees. The DMC has the freedom and authority to distribute three types of funding: Innovation, Incubation, and Impact Grants. This is the Mission Grant Application form that you will use to apply for an Innovation grant.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOU AS YOU APPLY FOR A GRANT.

The Innovation Grant is designed to spark missional thinking and experimental projects that aim to reach a new community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The District Mission Council offers funds up to $5,000 to supplement your budget for such projects. The goal of this application is for you to tell us about your innovative mission project and the plan to implement the idea. Keep in mind that the District Mission Council will want to see a project that reaches a new community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ideally the project will act as a test case for a potentially on-going ministry, opening the door to Incubation and Impact granting in the future.

The District Mission Council (DMC) members are representative of the diverse regions and cultures of our District. They are is charged with the local distribution of an annual budget allocation from the Pacific Southwest District Board of Directors. The DMC operates on a bi-annual grant application and distribution model. The DMC meets in February and September to consider grant requests and evaluate the progress of grant recipients. Grant funds are distributed via EFT over a 12-month period beginning in March and October respectively. Please be on time with your applications and progress reports and be willing to share stories of what God is doing in your ministry.

May God bless you as move forward in the mission of Christ!

Email
example@example.com
Person Completing Application
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Congregation or School
State of Congregation or School
City of Congregation or School

Innovation Grant Description

Innovation Grants are designed to spark missional thinking and provide seed funds to experiment in reaching a new community with the Gospel.
Provide a BRIEF Description of the Project (a more detailed description required below)
I believe this project qualifies for an Impact Grant (up to $5,000)

Yes
Amount of Grant Request
Date of Grant Request

MonthDayYear
Date

Mission Narrative
Tell us about your community. Who are your neighbors and what are some of their greatest needs?
Tell us about your congregation/school. What is God’s Vision for your ministry? What is your mission?
Provide a detailed description of your Innovation Project.
What defines what the ministry is ultimately supposed to be doing.
What is the expressed mission goal of this project? Who are you being led to meet and what will you do to connect them to Jesus?
Discuss the specific strategies you will employ to accomplish your project’s mission goal.
What will your measure of “success” be for this project?
Provide a timeline from beginning to completion of this project.
How does this project support the vision and mission of your ministry?
Describe any support and partnerships you will have from other local organizations and congregations.

Important Information for Grant Recipients

If your application for an Innovation grant is approved, it is important to understand the mutual partnership and responsibilities we share in this process:

1.Progress Reports are MANDATORY - The award of an Innovation Grant is a sacred trust. You will receive funds that have been given toward the advance of the Kingdom mission of Christ, and those who faithfully gave these gifts are anxious to hear of their impact for the Gospel. To that end, you are obligated to fully comply with these reporting requirements as well as to fully cooperate requests for information from the District Mission Council.

Progress reports shall be submitted electronically no later than August 15 and December 15. These reports will include the scope of the mission, your intended results, the actual results, and a significant story of a life being transformed by the Gospel.

2.Responsibilities Related to Employees - While it is NOT recommended that funds are used to hire or retain personnel (whether called church workers or lay persons) please understand that these individuals will be and remain your employees and not employees of the District or Synod. You are responsible for procuring and maintaining all necessary insurance coverage (including, but not limited to, worker’s compensation, disability and unemployment insurance) as well as any other benefits.

3.Grant Contingencies - Although we hope to carry out our mission pledge to you in full, please realize that the amount granted may be subject to budgetary or other exigent circumstances which may make it necessary to reduce, defer, or terminate this grant. Upon receiving your approved grant, you will acknowledge that the grant is “at will”, that the grant may reduced, deferred and/or discontinued at any time for any reason, at the District Mission Council’s sole discretion, and is not a promise of continued or future financial support. Additionally the grant is subject to termination and/or deferral should you fail to fulfill your reporting requirements and cooperation obligation to the District and/or to the District Mission Council. The recipient of the grant also agrees to provide the DMC with any information or additional reports that may be requested.

The District Mission Council and the Pacific Southwest District-LCMS thank you for your enthusiasm and passion for reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. You are in our prayers!
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Innovation Grant Application

Innovation Grant Description

Mission Narrative