Summary:
The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation has announced a matching grant initiative for small churches in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The program is being made possible through the generous support of the Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust.
The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation has announced a matching grant initiative for small churches in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The program is being made possible through the generous support of the Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust.
Jack Brooks, the Executive Director of the Foundation, was excited to receive the recent news of the grant. “We are honored the trustees of the Clark Trust approved the funding of our request,” said Brooks. “We feel this can help support a number of ministry programs by raising needed funds during this challenging economy.”
The Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust was established to fulfill Mr. Clark’s vision of ongoing financial support for small church programs in small communities. The trust currently defines a small church as a church in a community of less than 50,000 people, with an operating budget of less than $250,000, and average worship attendance of less than 150 people. A number of Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Churches may qualify.
“Mr. Clark’s wishes are specifically outlined in his charitable remainder trust” Brooks said. “The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation’s grant application sought to match the Clark Trust’s funding interests and guidelines to the current needs of small churches in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference.” The Foundation’s proposal outlined a method for redistributing funds through a matching dollar program to congregations raising funds for a specific need they have identified. The intent is to speed the funding of programs capable of quickly moving forward and reward new stewardship initiatives taking place in our small churches. Monies received from the Clark Trust must be used in 2011.
The Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation is a non-profit corporation providing stewardship, investment, and endowment services to churches in the Eastern Pennsylvania, Peninsula, and Baltimore-Washington Annual Conferences. “We independently manage charitable gifts established by individuals such as Donor Advised Funds, Charitable Remainder Trusts, or Charitable Gift Annuities. These are often part of a person’s planned giving program established within a Will or current legacy and giving plan.” said Brooks. “We work with local churches to establish an Endowment Fund to promote and receive legacy gifts. When named as the Plan Trustee, we will distribute funds in accordance with the individual’s wishes and can frequently meet multiple goals of an individual.”
Applications for the Frank E. Clark Grant will be available on both the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s and Foundation’s Website starting Tuesday March 15. Grant requests will be accepted between March 15 and April 15. The deadline for applications is Friday April 15. Funding of the selected proposals will commence on May 15. Funding interests of the Frank E. Clark Trust include programs related to development of congregations, expanding ministry programs, community outreach, multi-church partnering and capital projects. The minimum matching grant is $1,000 with a maximum grant of $10,000 to any one church.
For information on planned giving, establishing an endowment, investment opportunities or the Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust Grant please contact the Foundation at 1-800-828-9093 ext247.
