CCSW GRANTS · CHURCH VITALITY

Impact Church Ministry Grant

Creative. Innovative. Courageous ministry that reaches beyond the walls of the church.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)

Explore the grant ↓

START HERE

Grant at a Glance

These grants are specifically designed to empower and support impactful ministries within the Christian Church in the Southwest, and are only available for ministry within the United States and Canada.

We believe that each person has a unique gift and talent, and this is an incredible opportunity to make & difference.

Whether you have a passion for outreach programs, youth ministries, or any other area that touches hearts and lives. Together, we can build stronger and more vibrant church communities, reaching out to those in need with love, compassion, and faith.​

01 / ELIGIBILITY
Who Can Apply?
CCSW congregations, programs, and ministries affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
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02 / PURPOSE
What We Fund
Creative, “out of the box” ministry that engages beyond the walls of the church and creates meaningful impact.
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03 / FUNDING
$1K–$40K
Impact Ministry Grant requests may range from $1,000 to $40,000.
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04 / IMPACT
What's the Goal?
Make disciples. Transform communities. Expand our Disciples presence. Ignite long-term change.
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05 / LIMITS
What We Don't Fund
Review funding restrictions before developing and submitting your proposal.
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06 / NEXT STEP
Ready to Apply?
Review the evaluation criteria, gather your materials, and submit your application.
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WHAT WE FUND

Imagine. Engage. Transform.

We support creative, “out of the box” ministries that reach beyond the walls of the church, make disciples, transform communities, and create lasting change.

01
Support growth and creative, “out of the box” initiatives of local congregations.
02
Make disciples by engaging beyond our walls.
03
Move beyond charity toward changing community.
04
Increase our Disciples presence.
05
Ignite long-term change.

OUR GOAL

Impact That Lasts.

The Impact Church Ministry Grant is about more than funding a new program. Our goal is to help congregations imagine new possibilities for ministry, deepen their connection with their communities, and invest in work that creates meaningful and lasting change.

01 / CREATE
Encourage creative ministry.
Support the growth of local congregations through creative, innovative, and “out of the box” initiatives.
02 / ENGAGE
Reach beyond our walls.
Engage people beyond the walls of the church and create new opportunities to make disciples.
03 / TRANSFORM
Move beyond charity.
Invest in ministries that move beyond charity toward meaningful and lasting community change.
04 / EXPAND
Increase our Disciples presence.
Expand the presence and impact of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the communities we serve.
05 / SUSTAIN
Ignite long-term change.
Support ministries with the potential to create sustainable impact that continues beyond the grant period.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Is this grant right for you?

Start with eligibility and ministry fit. The strongest proposals connect a creative idea with a clear opportunity to reach beyond the church’s walls, strengthen ministry, transform community, or create lasting impact.

CCSW Impact Grants Evaluation Criteria
WHO CAN APPLY
You may be eligible if...
✓
You are a CCSW congregation, program, or ministry affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
✓
Your ministry or project will take place within the United States or Canada.
+
Your project aligns with the Impact Grant objectives and demonstrates clear potential for programmatic impact, growth, or expansion.
NOT FUNDED
This grant does not support...
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Individuals or endowments
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Capital improvements, including construction, remodeling, or building expansion
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Equipment or other purchases without a clearly articulated programmatic impact or expansion
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National ceremonies, memorials, conferences, fundraising dinners, testimonials, or similar events
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Elected officials
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Congregations currently in a senior minister search and call
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Non-Disciples congregations or non-affiliated organizations
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Projects outside the United States and Canada

HOW TO APPLY

From idea to application.

Follow these steps to prepare a strong Impact Grant application. Gather your project information, review the evaluation criteria, and make sure you have everything ready before you submit.

01
START HERE
Gather Contact Info
Provide contact information for the congregation, ministry or project, and key personnel.
02
PREVIOUS FUNDING
Share Past Outcomes
If you received a CCSW Area or Regional grant within the past five years, describe the outcomes.
03
YOUR PROJECT
Prepare Your Summary
Explain your ministry's mission and goals and how the project meets the Impact Grant objectives. Maximum: two typewritten pages.
04
FUNDING REQUEST
Set Your Request
Identify how much funding your project needs. Requests may range from $1,000–$40,000.
05
REVIEW
Review the Criteria
Review the CCSW Impact Grant Evaluation Criteria to understand how proposals will be evaluated.
VIEW CRITERIA ↗
06
RECOMMENDED
Attend a Zoom Session
We recommend the project lead attend a Zoom grant information session to learn more and ask questions.
DATES COMING SOON
07
FINAL STEP
Submit Your Application
Complete the online application and submit all required materials by the grant deadline.
DEADLINE COMING SOON

Important Dates

Important Dates

01
INFORMATION SESSION
Zoom Session
Coming Soon
Join us online to learn more about the Impact Grant, application process, and what to consider when preparing your proposal.
02
INFORMATION SESSION
Zoom Session
Coming Soon
A second opportunity to learn about the grant, ask questions, and prepare your application.
03
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications Due
Coming Soon
Complete and submit your Impact Church Ministry Grant application by the posted deadline.
READY TO APPLY?
Bring your idea
to life.
Review the Impact Grant evaluation criteria and application requirements. When you're ready, submit your application and tell us how your ministry will create meaningful, lasting impact.
ENGLISH
Apply Online
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ESPAÑOL
Solicitud en Español
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BEFORE YOU APPLY
Review Evaluation Criteria
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AFTER YOU APPLY
What happens next?
01
FUNDING DECISION
About 6 weeks
Applicants will be notified of their funding decision approximately six weeks after the closing date by email and mailed letter.
02
FUNDS DISTRIBUTED
About 12 weeks
Approved grant funding will be allocated approximately twelve weeks after the closing date.
03
GRANTEE RESPONSIBILITY
Share your impact
Grantees will be required to complete an impact report and share information about their ministry project with CCSW for promotional purposes.
IMPORTANT
Grant recipients are responsible for providing all requested reports and project information. Failure to submit required reporting will make the recipient ineligible for future CCSW grants.