Grants for Building Churches
Though not common, grants for building churches do exist. Depending on the organization, these grants may identified as capital-project grants, indicating that they are specifically for the construction, improvement or repair of a church's physical property. Grant seekers should not confine their research to online resources when searching for potential grants, as many local libraries, chambers of commerce and private organizations may have grant information as well.
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Government Grants
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Though the federal government does not provide grant funds solely for the construction of a church building, you can find government grants designated for religious and charitable organizations that seek to meet specific needs in local communities. For example, if part of your capital project includes the construction of a building that will be used to help feed the homeless or to house welfare-to-work families, then you may qualify for a government grant for that particular building.
Denominational Grants
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Depending on the denominational affiliation, your church may qualify for capital project grants through the denomination's parent organization. Many denominations have grants specifically designated to help fund building and repair projects for local churches. The availability of these funds may fluctuate from year to year, and they will often be awarded on the basis of need. Though these grants are rarely large, they can be a solid funding option for building a church.
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Private and Regional Granters
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State and local businesses and organizations may be one of the best resources available to churches looking for funds. Local entities have a vested interest in strengthening the community, and many may be willing to help fund the building of a church, at least in part. Private granters often have highly specific guidelines, such as only accepting applications from churches less than one year old, but many regional grants are available for church construction. The non-denominational, faith-based Mustard Seed Foundation, for example, annually gives small grants to churches, including to those with capital funding needs.
Application Process
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Applying for a grant will often involve considerable planning on the part of the church. Many grant sources will want a statement that fully describes the building project, as well as the estimated cost and time frame for completion. The granting institution may also require a financial plan for the completion of the capital project, including how much the church is requesting from the granting institution, how much the church itself will contribute to the project and how much of the funding will come from other sources.
Multiple Granters
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Seeking multiple grants can often be the best way to fund capital projects, whether building a church for the first time or adding to existing buildings. Granters may even be more inclined to donate to a capital project that has already received donations from one or more other sources, as having multiple granters means that your project will have an added layer of accountability for the use of grant funds and for the completion of the project.
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