Church Grants

Faith based organizations or churches reside in nearly every community in the United States. Churches require resources to operate and provide services to their congregation and the larger community. Faith based grants are one way that churches can secure funds to carry out their work.

Church grants are available from the federal, State, and local government. Also, private foundations give faith based grants.

Faith based organizations or churches are automatically tax exempt under U.S. law. That means they do not have to file a form 1023 to the IRS to receive exemption. However, there may be added benefits to a faith based organization in filing with the IRS. Included in benefits may be a wider option of federal and foundation grant opportunities.

Faith based organizations are regarded as community builders, peace makers, and healers. Therefore, there are a wide variety of grant opportunities available to faith based organizations. In addition, some churches provide social services such as emergency shelter, food, child care, and so on. These services may be eligible for a grant. The White House has the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. This Office posts grant and partnership opportunities.

Also, the federal grant portal, Grants.gov, posts grant opportunities. By clicking the “Find Opportunities” link, church leaders can identify potential grants for their church or faith based organization.

Faith based organizations are often eligible for the same grants that other non-profits are. Data indicates that faith based grants had been rising. A diverse number of federal agencies give church grants including: Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Agency for International Development.

Many federal agencies have sections on their websites devoted to faith based organizations and churches. This information can be helpful in the faith based grant application process.

In addition to federal grants, there are local and regional opportunities. State and local government may release Request for Proposals (RFP) that faith based organizations may apply.

Faith based grants are available from foundations. There are free online directories of church grants including UrbanMinstry.org. FoundationCenter.org and GuideStar.org have information on hundreds of thousands private foundations.

It is important to check eligibility before applying. Many foundations have geographic, mission, and activity preferences and restrictions. As a rule of thumb, it is better to apply to the foundation in your community than the one across the country.