Church Foundation Grant and Loan Program
If your congregation is facing an unexpected capital expense, a grant or loan from the Church Foundation may be of help. Grants come from funds allocated to the Church Foundation by the bishop through the William Cooper Procter Memorial Trust. Funds for loans come from the Wells Trust. Each year, the Foundation Trustees have about $300,000 in grant funds to award and has some funds to loan at favorable rates.
The grant application can be accessed here.
You are welcome to submit an application at any point. Please note the following deadlines to ensure your application is considered at the next quarterly meeting of the Church Foundation.
2026 submission deadlines:
- February 20, for decision-making at the Church Foundation’s March meeting
- May 20, for decision-making in June
- August 20, for decision-making in September
- November 20, for decision-making in December
The Church Foundation will consider grants for emergencies as needed; please complete the emergency field in the application and call the Rev. Derrick Fetz directly at (513) 229-4618.
Requirements Prior to Applying
Before you apply for a grant or a loan, please ensure these requirements have been met:
- Completed a Smart Solutions assessment or an assessment by a commercial/home inspection company.
- Participated in an offered version of the College for Congregational Development. The rector/priest-in-charge/ecclesiastical authority and at least one lay leader of a congregation applying for a Church Foundation grant must attend one of the following prior to submitting an application:
- The College for Congregational Development (CCD) week-long intensive (at least the first year). More info, including upcoming dates.
- A Mini-CCD Workshop Day. More info, including upcoming any upcoming dates (anticipated in 2027).
- A Vestry & Wardens Day (Feb. 7 at Christ Church, Glendale has passed; invites pending for April 25 in Columbus and July 25 in Athens.)
- The Small Church Summit, April 17-18, 2026. Info.
- Paid Mission Share.
- Received three quotes that have comparable details of the scope of work needed. These will need to be submitted as part of the grant application. Please contact the Rev. Derrick Fetz, Missioner for Stewardship, if you have questions about quotes.
*For congregations unable to attend one of the above prior to a submission deadline, alternative arrangements can be made.
Mission Congregations must contact the Rev. Meredith Day Hearn, Canon for Congregations, to obtain her concurrence with the request.
