The Port Huron District

General Information

1. All requests must be in line with the purposes of the District Board of Missions as follows:
   • To give aid in the organization of new congregations; to aid in the location of new churches; to help select and secure future church sites; to aid in building new churches.
   • To give aid in financing capital improvements and major maintenance projects.
   • To develop and receive recommendations for and give approval to new ministries both within the local church and through other forms of mission that are not functions of traditional congregations.
   • To give approval to and funding for programs in the areas of congregational development that enable Church Extension and Mission work.
2. All requests for loans or grants must be within the guidelines of the Discipline and in sympathy with the social principles of the United Methodist Church.
3. United Methodist Churches or associated ministries may apply for grants.
4. All applicants will complete a written application and will make a personal presentation to the board before any funds may be granted or loaned.
5. You may download both the Grant Application (Word document; pdf version here) and Loan Application (Word document; pdf version here). Likewise, they may also be requested from the church office (phdisumc@hughes.net).
6. The budgeted balance remaining at the time of the presentation determines the maximum amount that can be granted in any single category.

Available Grants and their Requirements

Building and Grounds Project Grants

Three to One (3:1) Challenge Grant

• The Board will grant $1 for every $3 of new money raised by the applicant within an agreed amount of time, following grant approval.
• The funds are to be used for physical building projects, excluding debt reduction.
• The funds will be released upon request and verification of matching funds. They are to be used within 12 months of approval.
• There will only be a limited number of grants on account of budget restrictions.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.
• Competitive bids are recommended.

General Grants

Small Project Grant

• The funds are to be used for building and grounds projects, excluding debt reduction.
• There will only be a limited number of grants on account of budget restrictions.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.
• Competitive bids are recommended.

Technology Grant

• Funds are to be used toward equipment, but are not limited to sound boards, video, projection equipment, digital cameras, keyboards, etc.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.
• Competitive bids are recommended.

New Ministry Grant

• Funds are to be used as seed money for starting new programs.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.

Special Program Grant

• Funds are to provide special assistance for a seminar, workshop, or guest speaker.
• The event must provide an open invitation to all churches, clergy, and laity in the Port Huron District.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.

Continuing Program Grant

• Funds are to be used to support ongoing ministry programs.
• Applicants are encouraged to seek additional support from other denominations for ecumenical programs.
• The deadline for applications for funding the next calendar year is July 1 of the current year.
• Personal presentations shall be made at the Board's regular April meeting. Presentation will include:
  1. information on how the money was used the previous year
  2. plans for how the money will be used in the current year

District Youth Service Grant

• The purpose of the grant is to provide financial assistance for groups or individuals participating in a youth servivce project.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.

Barrier Free Grant

• Funds are to be used for any project that will make a United Methodist Church facility more accessible to the physically challenged.
• Maximum amount of the grant is $500.
• Personal presentations are not required.

Exploration Grant

• Funds are to be used for the purpose of gathering information to help a church explore or develop potential areas of ministry.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.

Extaordinary/Special Needs Grant

• The District Superintendent and the President of the Board of Missions, together, have the authority to approve the use of thise discretionary money.
• This money is to be used for severe, unexpected emergencies.

Church Development Grant

• Funds are to be used to assist churches with development. Examples include but are not limted to:
  • Resources & leadership for a church visioning process
  • Stewardship campaign financing
  • Architectural fees for building expansion
  • Redevelopment workshop/training costs
• Local funding must at least match request of grant.
• Personal presentations shall be made to the Board at any regular meeting.

Loan Information

The District Board of Missions has money that is available to be loaned to United Methodist churches. Our funds are limited and are intended to help churches with capital improvements, or to be a bridge to a bank loan. No loans are for longer than 5 years, so that we can recycle the money. We set our interest rate at our final meeting of the year for all loans granted in the following year. 2009 rate: 6½ percent.

Considerations

In general, when considering applying for a loan or grant, we will ask you the follwing questions:

1. Will the Board's help make a difference in a proposal going forward?
2. Is this a new ministry?
3. Does the Board have the resources to make a difference?