Aid for Churches

A variety of funds to assist our churches are available through the Church Extension ministry of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ. All requests for grants must come via the Association. Some Associations give the oversight of these grants to their Executive Committee. In other Associations the Executive Committee has delegated this task to a Church Extension Committee. In all cases, the Association Minister has some involvement with the process. Application forms are available in each Association office, with the same form being used for all funds.
All grants are made on a calendar year basis.

	lay leadership development
	intentional evangelism
	social analysis and action
	demographic studies and preparation for growth/change
	stewardship and financial development
	clergy support and empowerment

  The amount available for grants varies each year; recently the interest earned on the investment has been approximately $80,000, divided equally among the four Associations. These grant requests are approved by the Association, and then the Conference Board of Directors.

Stiger Trust Fund

 This Trust was established by the late Charles W. Stiger, Jr of Chicago. The principal of the Trust is administered by the Northern Trust Company of Chicago. The Conference receives annual payments of the interest, which are to be used for the ministry of rural and semi-rural congregations. The monies are to be expended and not be held as an investment. The first grants were distributed in 1995.

    These funds may be used for a wide range of projects. In addition to those purposes mentioned above for With One Accord grants, other appropriate projects may be studying the impact of additions/modifications of a church building which might strengthen the church’s ministry. Grants are often seen as seed money for new ventures; financial commitment from the congregation is expected. Funding can extend for more than one year, with annual review and approval. It is customary for multi-year grants to decline each year, with the congregation assuming more of the expense each year. These funds are not intended for building projects.

    Annual payments are approximately $35,000, divided equally among the four Associations. These grant requests are approved by the Association, and then the Conference Church Extension Committee.

Mission and Church Extension

 This is a line item in the Conference budget, with approximately $40,000 available each year. Unspent funds accumulate. These funds are intended to assist congregations to extend their ministries, and have been granted for a wide variety of projects. Grants are often seen as seed money for new ventures; financial commitment from the congregation is expected. Funding can extend for more than one year, with annual review and approval. It is customary for multi-year grants to decline each year, with the congregation assuming more of the expense each year.

    These grant requests are approved by the Association, and then the Conference Church Extension Committee.

Other

  Some of the Associations have some funds available to assist churches. In addition, the national offices of the United Church of Christ have loan money available through the Cornerstone Fund. Most churches which are engaged in a major building project raise the funds from within the congregation through a capital campaign, although they may need a loan to cover immediate expenses. On a few occasions, the Conference has functioned as a lending agency.
Talk with your Association Minister about these options.