The deadline approaches for The Episcopal Church 2021 grants program for Young Adult and Campus Ministries currently engaged in or seeking new relationships with young adults on or off college campuses. Episcopal ministries or ecumenical ministries with an Episcopal presence are invited to apply.

Eligible applicants include dioceses, congregations, or college/university ministries. Grant information and applications are available in English here and in Spanish here.

The three-step application process includes discernment and planning, writing the application, and online submission. This process is designed to help those who are interested in applying to discern where and how God is calling their communities to serve young adults and whether now is the right time to apply for a grant. This process is an invitation to consider how The Episcopal Church can minister with young adults on and off college campuses (including community colleges and tribal college campuses, non-traditional degree programs), in the military, and those who are not in college.

All applications must have prior approval by the bishop of the diocese in which the ministry is to be located.

“These grants help Episcopal ministries live into an expanded understanding of what it means to work with young adults on and off college campuses,” said the Rev. Shannon Kelly, director for the department of faith formation and officer for young adult and campus ministry, “These growing and innovative ministries show the church new ways to engage mission and ministry to meet the needs of young adults.”

The four grant categories include:

1. Leadership Grants establish a new, restore a dormant, or reenergize a current campus ministry. Grant will range from $8,000-30,000 and can be used over a two-year period.
2. Campus Ministry Grants provide seed money to assist in the start-up of new, innovative campus ministries or to enhance a current ministry. Grants $1,000-8,000.
3. Young Adult Ministry Grants provide seed money to assist in the start-up of new, innovative young adult ministries or to enhance a current ministry. Grants $1,000-5,000.
4. Project Grants provide money for a one-time project that will enhance and impact the campus or young adult ministry. Grants $100-2,000.

A total of $133,000 is available for this cycle, with a total of $400,000 available during this triennium. These grants are for the 2020-2021 academic year.

“Ministry with young adults on and off college campuses is one way the church is raising up the leaders of now and the leaders of the future,” added Kelly. “It is an honor and a privilege to walk alongside these ministries as they seek to do ministry in ways that engage their communities in such unique ways.”

Episcopal ministries or ecumenical ministries with an Episcopal presence engaged in or seeking a new relationship with young adults on or off college campuses are invited to apply. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each grant application needs to address how this project or ministry can be safely and reasonably done with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Please use your state and diocesan guidelines.

Information on the application process and guidelines, as well as the application is found in English here and in Spanish here. Deadline for applications is November 20 at 10:00 pm Eastern time.

Applications will be reviewed by a group that includes leaders experienced in ministry with young adults, staff, and a member of Executive Council.

Please note the following for dioceses of The Episcopal Church: Applicant understands that should its local diocese fail to pay its assessment in full or to apply for and receive a waiver, the diocese and the applicant shall be ineligible to receive grants or loans from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society unless approved by Executive Council.  See Canon I.4.6, Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church.

If you have further questions, please contact the Rev. Shannon Kelly, director for the department of faith formation and officer for young adult and campus ministry at skelly@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6081, or Valerie Harris, faith formation associate at vharris@episcopalchurch.org or 212-716-6099.