Participating in professional development is one way that our leaders grow in their skills and capacity, build their professional networks, and prioritize their own health and wellness for the health and wellness of the communities they serve. In our diocese, the bishop stewards a special fund that assists clergy and lay professionals toward their goals of growing as priests, deacons, and lay leaders in our local faith communities.
Reflecting our focus on flourishing congregations, our Diocesan Professional Development Grants will prioritize active clergy and paid lay leaders currently employed or formally appointed for ministry in a faith community of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
Examples of applicable professional development engagements include:
- Participation in a professional conference or network
- Participation in a specific workshop or class
- Taking on a personal study project
- Going on retreat
- Investing in personal wellness (gym membership, cooking class, meditation, etc.)
Grant Details
Qualifications & Details
- Grant awards will not exceed $2,000 per individual per calendar year.
- Grants will be considered for one-time disbursement (multi-year programs/commitments will not be considered.)
- Grants will require shared funding responsibility. Ideally, the diocesan grant would cover one third of the total cost with the faith community funding at least one third, with any remaining amount being the responsibility of the applicant or other income source.
- Grant requests must be submitted well in advance of the planned engagement. Retroactive requests for reimbursement will not be considered.
Application Instructions & Forms
To be considered complete, all applicants must ensure two forms are submitted: the applicant form and the supervisor (clergy or warden) endorsement. All grant applications must be submitted in advance of the planned engagement.
Grant applications will be considered by the committee on a quarterly basis. The due dates are as follows:
- January 31 (decisions to be communicated in February)
- April 30 (decisions to be communicated in May)
- July 31 (decisions to be communicated in August)
- October 31 (decisions to be communicated in November)
Questions
Please contact the Rev. Canon Meredith Day Hearn at mdayhearn@diosohio.org.
