Lighthouse Congregations 2025 Off-Site Community Outreach Grant Application

These grants are being provided to increase visibility, improve missional effectiveness and build Christ-centered relationships through the event itself.

Priority will be given to outreaches that are strategically designed for opportunities to dialogue and include a missional "next step."

(Example: An outdoor food truck evening with kid-friendly foods. Blankets on the grass could provide activities for children and volunteers to assist them in the activity AND picnic tables set up so guests and parents can sit around the tables and talk together. Tables would include information for the next family-friendly event the church will provide and an opportunity for folks to provide their email or cell phone if they'd like to receive a reminder on the upcoming event/activity.)

A grant up to $500 per congregation for an outreach event that targets a population already established as a mission priority by the congregation. This is a competitive grant process with funding available for no more than eight congregations on or before December 31, 2025.

Grant funds may be utilized for one or multiple needs as identified below.

For churches with fewer than 50 in average worship attendance, a minimum of three people volunteering at the event must have attended a Getting to Know You training workshop. For churches with greater than 50 in average worship attendance, a minimum of five people volunteering with the event must have attended a Getting to Know You training workshop.

For the Getting to Know You training schedule, watch conference newsletters, visit our website at inumc.org/aplaceforyou, or join the Facebook Group.

Name of Church*

Name of Contact Person*

First NameLast Name

Contact Person Email Address*

example@example.com

Contact Person Telephone*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Event Date:

Describe your outreach event:*

What will your congregation contribute to make this event a success?*

finances, supplies, volunteers

Are there community organizations with whom your congregation will partner in this endeavor? (Note: 2024 recipient congregations are willing to dialogue to share ideas around their community partnerships.)*

Describe your venue. Why is it a good choice for your target audience? What will it cost? How will the venue accommodate for accessibility (hearing/vision, neurodivergence, special needs, etc.)?*

What is your plan for quality entertainment/activities/speakers/etc.?*

Taking into account your community context and resources, describe your communications/promotional plan and why it is a good fit to reach your target audience (including any associated costs):*

Describe your hospitality plan for the event (including volunteers, food, promotioal products, etc.)*

Describe your communications plan for following up with participants (correspondence, next steps, etc.)*

How will you prepare your congregation to welcome the target audience? What does your congregation need to learn/know to be more effective in reaching this population? Please list at least one Conference staff person or training OR a community expert/training with whom you have been in dialogue/participated to make your outreach better-informed and more effective.*

Do you need assistance in identifying resources to improve your congregation's understanding of this population?*

Explain how this event aligns with your church's stated vision or missional priorities:*

Please input the names of those from your congregation who have completed the "Getting to Know You: Sacred Conversations" training:*

Is your district superintendent aware of and supportive of this vision/missional priority?*

YesNo

Indicate the amount of money (up to $500) you are requesting and how the grant dollars will be used (e.g. advertising, refreshments, etc.):*

Selected recipients agree to the following:

To email pictures of your event to Tracey Leslie at tracey.leslie@inumc.org (remember to secure permission if individuals are identifiable and/or minors)
To participate in a follow-up Zoom interview in which you will respond to the following questions:
- How did this event deepen your congregation's connection with the identified population? (Provide statistics and stories)
- What community partnerships developed or deepened as a result of this outreach event?
- What did your congregation learn through this event to increase missional effectiveness in the future?
- How critical were these grant funds to your congregation's ability to offer this outreach?

Do you agree to the above?*

YESNO

Please note that expenditures are reimbursed only when accompanied by receipts and that reimbursement checks will be made out to your church. Please utilize your tax exemption for product purchases to avoid tax.