Ministry Grants (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)

Ministry Grants (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)

The Missouri United Methodist Foundation (MUMF) grant program continues to grow in size and service thanks to the generous gifts of donors across our state. Gifts ranging from large estates to modest memorials continue to build the endowments that generate the grants and scholarships. 

Twice each year, the Foundation Board receives and considers proposals for ministry projects from United Methodist churches and related agencies throughout Missouri. Funding decisions are determined on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on funds available and the merits of each request.

Ministry Grants Fall 2023

  • A Turning Point – $4,000 to purchase PA Sound System that is essential to provide professional audio capabilities to indoor and outdoor spaces for several ongoing programs.  
  • Anderson UMC – $2,500 match to bring new elements into their worship service through technology and also create online space to connect and engage.
  • Ashland UMC, St. Joseph – $3,500 to help fund the creation of an esports program housed within their new youth center.
  • Bismarck UMC – $750 to fund 4th year as a warm kitchen for 3-day community Thanksgiving feast in partnership with Shared Blessings. 
  • Campbell UMC, Springfield – $7,000 to upgrade media equipment to further serve children, youth, and large groups and to help purchase new AV upgrade in sanctuary to impact both in-person and online attenders with greater excellence and functionality.
  • Della Lamb Community Services – $3,000 to provide catering and printed materials costs for Interfaith Refugee Advocacy Day providing a unique platform for individuals to come together with a shared goal of creating a more welcoming city.  
  • Ebenezer UMC, St. Jospeh – $3,200 to fund an accessible parking concrete pad on the handicapped parking spaces leading to fellowship hall. 
  • Fair Grove UMC – $1,000 to purchase, install, provide training and upkeep of an AED medical device.
  • Faith UMC dba Good People Café (Grain Valley) – $5,000 to provide additional funding to offset early costs associated with hiring and training individuals from the disability community to serve at the Good People Café.
  • First UMC – Warrensburg – $3,000 to provide funding improving church entry points identified as a priority, Doors 2 Open Hearts and Minds Project.
  • First UMC, West Plains – $3,000 challenge to fund costs involved in upgrading security system for their Friendship Circle Daycare  
  • First UMC of Bowling Green – $1,000 to fund repairing one side of Outside LED Sign
  • Flourish Furniture Bank – $4,000 to fund a postcard campaign reaching out to Methodist churches for the purpose of engaging them in organizing donation drives, recruiting volunteers to give of their time in the Flourish warehouse, and to purchase small appliances to keep shelves stocked.
  • Grace UMC, St. Louis – $1,000 to fund costs of producing The Doctors are In podcast as a resource to those churches considering their conversations about their future and mergers.
  • Houston UMC – $2,500 match to help fund purchase of new hardware and software to make services available online to increase their church membership and grow God’s Kingdom.  
  • La Monte UMC – $1,500 challenge to fund update of church sign to convey warm hospitality and the Good News to their community. 
  • LifeBridge Ministries – $4,000 to help fund a Certified Financial Social Worker for their Economic Wellness classes with ultimate goal to increase participants’ financial wellbeing.  
  • LifeWise STL – $8,000 to fund expenses supporting program staff, supplies and material fees at 3 Methodist satellite Freedom School locations.
  • Maysville UMC – $3,000 to help fund growing their online worship ministry to reach new people in new places.
  • Pleasant Grove UMC – $2,000 to fund purchase of four iPads to enhance the efficiency and safety of their Children/Youth programs. 
  • St. Paul UMC, Fayette – $5,000 to fund necessary facility upgrades to St. Paul UMC to house a Boys and Girls Club after school program in the Fayette community.
  • Taylor Chapel, Sedalia – $2,000 to fund their Outreach ministry to be a beacon of light to a hurting world by providing Free Summer Lunch Program and a Community Block Party in 2024.
  • Trinity UMC, Piedmont – $2,500 to fund stage and inflatable rentals for a community-wide festival “Grace Fest Worship Festival” as an evangelism project to bring the love of Christ to the people of their rural community.
  • Wentzville UMC – $3,000 to fund expenses to continue their Living, Loving and Growing New Disciples outreach by being more visible to the residents of their community by adding more Family & Community events to their calendar and to fund expenses for Wentzville UMC Operation Backpack program to provide food to at-risk children over the weekend.

Ministry Grants Spring 2024

  • Agency UMC – $2,000 to fund purchase of an AED for emergency situations.
  • Avondale UMC – $500 to help fund bus fees and Wilderness Camping and Retreat Center fees for their Cokesbury’s “Camp Firelight” VBS curriculum kick-off event. 
  • Camdenton UMC – $500 to assist in funding supplies, refreshments, and necessary promotion materials for their Lookin’ Cool for Back-to-School project providing K-12 grade students haircuts, manicures and hygiene products before the start of the school year.  
  • Concord Trinity UMC – $1,000 to support the vision of the Chreia Project to foster holistic, sustainable transformation in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of South St. Louis County by funding homelessness transition and cash assistance.   
  • Grace UMC, Cape Girardeau – $3,000 challenge to fund equipment, training and marketing for contemporary worship restart. 
  • Harmony UMC – $2,500 to match/challenge half of the costs of installing a monument sign on its existing sign base.

  

  • Lawson UMC – $2,500 to fund two high-definition TV screens to enhance the worship and viewing experience for parishioners and guests by providing clearer visuals for all attendees.
  • Maplewood UMC – $3,000 to fund an aftercare option for Freedom School families for second year in a row. 
  • Nevada UMC – $2,500 to fund audio/visual improvement for a smooth worship experience.  
  • New Awakening UMC – $3,000 to fund transportation and purchase of The Norm Way Activity Books to be handed to youth attending assemblies and meetings to create positive change on individual, communal and societal levels.
  • Prairie Home UMC – $2,500 to help fund enhancement of their streaming capabilities to create an online environment that is more welcoming and accessible for their online community.

 

  • Smithton UMC – $2,500 to fund live service streaming to more reliably reach homebound congregation members as well as those who are unable to attend on a regular basis.  
  • Union Memorial UMC – $2,000 to fund Children and Youth Arts Outreach program to give the children and youth in their community positive and constructive activities, while furthering the mission, ministry and vision of their church.  
  • Wentzville UMC – $2,000 Sleep in Heavenly Peace Ministry: Helping children in need sleep better: Materials to build beds.
  • Weston UMC – $2,500 to fund audio/visual upgrade for Outreach to create inviting and meaningful events.   
  • Wilkes Blvd. UMC – $1,000 challenge to assist in a matched funding to strengthen capacity through professional growth and team building as the church is going through a period of fundamental change as their primary ministry, Turning Point Day Centers, moves from their church building to an off-site location.   
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