Introduction:

Funds new programs or events, which are focused on the community outside our Church walls and are consistent with the overall mission of First Presbyterian Church. Outreach programs would require participation of members and friends of the Church community.

The Outreach program's mission is to connect participants of the congregation to issues of care and concern for all creation including Peace and Justice, More Light, Earth & Spirit, and others affecting the local, national and global communities.

Funds new church programs or events, which focus on expanding congregational capabilities and furthering the faith mission of the Church. New programs include:

• Relational: Programs such as small group ministries that build stronger community within the congregation
• Liturgical: Programs focused on creating meaningful liturgical experiences to enhance worship
• Educational: Programs to enhance the education of adults, youth, and children consistent with the overall mission of First Presbyterian Church.

The Endowment Draw Use Committee (EDUC) is a small core of 4-6 members responsible for administering the annual draw amount approved by the Session for both Outreach and New Church Programs funds. During the grant review period, a larger task force (the Grant Review Committee – GRC), will support EDUC for reviewing proposals and deciding which proposals to fund. EDUC's roles include:

• Publicity: educate congregation about goals, processes, availability of funds
• Soliciting applications: at least annually, and rolling acceptance recommended
• Deciding grant awards: review with larger task force;
• Disbursing Funds: tie to project timeline; coordinate with Treasurer, others as needed
• Liaison with grant recipients: committee members track progress and facilitate reporting of results to the congregation by grant recipients.

The Endowment funds can be used for several purposes. They may be used for the development of a new program not previously implemented at First Pres. An example is the Robert McAffee Brown Lectureship Program. Funds may also be solicited to develop a project to extend existing program. This could be adding a Resource Center for Support to the Homeless to the Wednesday Night Meal Program.

Grants applications will be solicited on a quarterly basis throughout the year if funds are available. Once funds for the year have been awarded, no additional proposals will be accepted. Solicitations for proposals will be made in the Church bulletin, First Pres. Press, email, and other communication vehicles. In 2002, grants applications will be available starting January 27.

Applications will be due 6 weeks after the announcement date. For the grant solicitation cycle beginning Jan. 27, 2002, completed applications must be submitted by March 15, 2002.

Applications for both Outreach and New Church programs are available in the Church office or by clicking on the links below. Contact the Church office to have an Outreach or New Programs application mailed to you.

A participant in the congregation (member or friend) must submit proposals to the committee. Proposals submitted from outside this group will not be reviewed.

Proposals should be sent to the Church office with "Attention: EDUC Committee" clearly indicated on the envelope. Submissions can also be made by placing them in the EDUC folder in the Church Office.

Once grant applications for either the Outreach or New Church Programs are submitted to EDUC, the committee will start the review process.

• Grant applicants should expect to be contacted by a GRC member to answer questions or provide additional information needed to evaluate their application.
• Once the grant review process has been completed, recommendations for grant awards are submitted by EDUC to the Session for approval.
• Grant applicants will be contacted by an EDUC member directly on the status of their application, prior to public announcement of awards.
• Awards will be published in the Church bulletin and the First Pres Press.

A proposed project, program, or event must:

• meet the stated Outreach or New Church Programs Fund purpose
• involve least 2 congregation participants
• be reported in a presentation or in writing to the congregation
• include a timeline with milestones for activities and funding requirements

In addition, New Church Program applications must include any assumptions on utilizing current Church staff for implementation of the proposed program.

All grants will be evaluated within 6 weeks of the submission deadline.

Additional factors that the GRC will consider:

1. Are there other ways we could spend the same money on the same issue more effectively, even if the alternative wouldn’t meet endowment criteria? Example is sending church community members to do earthquake relief vs. funding an organization that already does that.
2. Are there other sources of funds available for this proposal?

The Committee reserves the right to evaluate the merits of all proposals. Those that meet the criteria won't automatically be funded.

EDUC is responsible for evaluating and administering the funds. The committee will submit grants for approval to Session.

The amount available is the sum of the annual draw, determined annually by Session, plus any amounts unspent from prior years’ draw.

If at all possible, the full budget requested for qualifying grants will be awarded. In years where qualified applications and requested budgets exceed the allotted endowment funds, partial budgets may be awarded.

Previous recipients of grants for successful programs are encouraged to apply for new grants. Existing programs may apply for grants that help extend the program or involve participants in the program in new ways.

Grant recipients who haven’t made significant progress on predetermined milestones 6 months from their grant date will have their funds revoked unless they can renegotiate their timeline with the committee.

EDUC liaison member will work with grant recipients to schedule a meeting to report back to the congregation, either at a specific event or an Adult Study. Grant recipients are responsible for preparing a written report to EDUC.