Rio Texas Conference, United Methodist Church Advance Program Application

General guidelines

The project:

1. Must submit a completed, signed application by the deadline date.
2. Must attach a tax-exempt letter from the IRS
3. Must have a system of financial accountability and be able to provide the Treasurer’s Office of the RTX Conference with documentation of all receipts and disbursements, if requested.
4. Must not be an individual.
5. Must have a Child Protection Policy and/or Sexual Harassment Policy in place (see question #12 on the application form).
6. Must have a board of directors.
7. Must have a bank account in the name of the project or church, with multiple signatories.
8. Must have already received monetary gifts for this project from local sources (individuals, congregations, businesses, foundations, government grants, etc.)
9. Must have a plan that realistically demonstrates how the project will take advantage of Advance status and actively work to raise funds through the Advance in order to meet the project’s annual financial goal.
10. Must operate within the geographical bounds of the Rio Texas Conference.
     

Criteria to remain an Advance project

1. Must be making progress towards project goals and outcomes.
2. Must show measurable results of progress.
3. Must use gifts according to the purposes listed in the project application.
4. Must have received $500 or more given through the RTX Advance every two consecutive years.

Need more information?

For more information, contact:

• Nicole Alabi, Administrative Assistant for Project Development, Implementation, and Support - Rio Texas Conference; 210-408-4514, nicolea@riotexas.org 

or

• Diana Woods, RTX Advance/Five Star Program/Harvest Sunday Coordinator; 512-917-9072; bumccommunitypartner@gmail.com 

If you were a 2021-2024 Advance program that is re-applying for the new quadrennium, please answer the following questions.

8a. Please describe current local United Methodist church/district/conference support, participation, and involvement, such as financial support, contributions or labor, or "in-kind" contributions like supplies, building materials, equipment, transportation, etc.

8b. If the project is related to a local United Methodist church, please attach a letter of support from the church's pastor or Administrative Board chair.

9a. Relationship or connection to the United Methodist Church

9b. Program, services, and ministries (background, history, and major accomplishments of this project. What programs/ministries are offered?)

9c. Mission Statement (What is the main purpose of this project? What are its major goals?)

9d. Groups and clients served (What area does the project serve and who are the people who live in the area?)

9e. How contributions are used (How would a gift make a difference to the people with whom the project is in ministry? What would a gift to this project help to accomplish?)

9f. Specifically, how does this project address at 1 one of these areas of focus of the Rio Texas Conference?

10a. To whom is the project accountable?

10b. Who will the project be measured or evaluated?

10c. Does the project have tax exempt [501(c)(3)] status? If not, under whose tax exemption is the project operating?

11. The Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church seeks to assure the physical and sexual safety, emotional well-being, and spiritual health of children, youth, and adults. Please describe the safety, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination policies the project uses to meet this standard (attach a file below).

12. Please write a brief summary (100-200 words max) that describes the project. This summary will be used in the online Advance project catalog.

13. Recommendations (original signatures)