Grant Programs

OVERVIEW

Impactful Opportunities for Disciples Leaders, Congregations, and Ministries

The National Benevolent Association seeks to foster the building of communities of compassion and care and to empower bold visions of health and social service ministries across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). One way we do this is by offering grant opportunities in the areas of young adult leadership development, professional development for nonprofit leaders, and for organizations in the area of Mission & Ministry—designated for educational purposes for youth and young adults (age 10-25) and/or older adult ministries (age 50+). The NBA is aligned with the Disciples denomination in being an anti-racist/pro-reconciling organization. As such, we seek to be equitable in our granting decisions, continuing to grow and develop our processes and opportunities to better serve the diverse communities of the church.


About Our Grants

Funding Opportunities

The National Benevolent Association offers funding opportunities to Disciples-affiliated leaders, ministries, congregations, and young adults. Each granting area is unique and has its own set of requirements, timelines, and availability. Learn more about each opportunity below.

Mission & Ministry Grants

Eligibility: NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program utilizes purpose-restricted funds to provide grant funding for Disciples ministries and projects that serve older adults or educate youth and young adults.

Timeline: Applications are open twice a year, in the Spring and Fall.

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Young Adult Leadership Development Grants

Eligibility: Available for Disciples-affiliated Young Adults ages 18-30.

“Disciples-affiliated” refers to a person who is a member of a Disciples congregation, active with a Disciples region or general ministry, and/or is a student at a Disciples-affiliated institution (ex. college/university, seminary, Disciples Divinity House).

Timeline: Applications open twice a year in the winter and summer.

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Professional Leadership Development Grants for Health and Social Service Executives and Leaders

The National Benevolent Association partners with Disciples-affiliated ministries and nonprofits in the shared work of creating compassion, healing, and justice for all of humanity. Our ministry partners are eligible for different funding opportunities based on their partnership and needs. All of our partners must demonstrate affiliation to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and be within the United States (and its territories) or Canada.

Disciples-affiliated health and social service ministries may be eligible to become an NBA partner. See our current partners and request more info by filling out the form at the bottom of our Partner Directory page. Current partners in need of support should email HSS Program Coordinator, Jerell DeCaille.

Newer health and social service ministries that have been operating for less than ten years, or are in the start-up phase may be eligible for support through our Social Entrepreneurship Program.

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Stories From Our Granting Programs

Spring 2024 Mission & Ministry Grants Awarded

We are pleased to announce our Fall 2024 Mission & Ministry Grant recipients!

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Health & Social Service Partner New Communion Reflects on the Impact of Working with NBA

As New Communion’s time as an Incubate Partner came to an end, we spoke with David Harrison to learn more about the organization, how it’s changed throughout its partnership with NBA, and what it has meant to have the support of the organization over the last several years.

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NBA Grants More Than $170,000 to Fall 2023 Mission & Ministry Grantees

We are pleased to announce our Fall 2023 Mission & Ministry Grant recipients!

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Announcing the Spring 2023 Mission & Ministry Grantees

Meet our newest group of Mission & Ministry Grantees.

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A Place to Belong: Indiana Congregation Creates Community Events for Older Adults

When Countryside Christian Church realized the older adults in their congregation were feeling particularly isolated, they turned to NBA for support.

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How One Congregation Created a Network of Compassionate Older Adults

In 2020, Beloved Christian Church began its Compassion Practice+ program, which teaches the Compassion Practice (CP) to adults over 50.

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Lonely But Not Alone: How Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America is Addressing Isolation

The Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America held a day-long seminar with seniors in Missouri to brainstorm how to address feelings of isolation.

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Unleashing the Potential of Careers in STEM for St. Louis Youth

The STEM field is notoriously homogenous. To combat this, Mission & Ministry Grantee Unleashing Potential developed Experience STEM.

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Mission & Ministry Grant Supports Those in Addiction Recovery

The wake up call that lead to a ministry that supports those recovering from addition.

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First Christian Church Texas City Invites a Blue Theology Mission Station to Engage Children

First Christian Church in Texas City, Texas used their Mission & Ministry grant to partner with Blue Theology to teach youth in the Galveston Bay area the importance of ‘being blue’ and taking care of the ocean and natural water sources in their community.

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Announcing the Fall 2022 Mission & Ministry Grantees

Meet our newest group of Mission & Ministry Grantees. These ministries represent 22 different Disciples regions and will serve a multitude of generations in topics of mental health, entrepreneurship, and creative endeavors.

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Impacting the Future by Growing Leaders Through Adventure and Service

Over the last two years FCC Princeton has taken a group of adolescents across the country and helped them experience their home state of Kentucky in new and exciting ways!

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Staying Connected: Kansas Christian Home Uses Technology to Help Older Adults Socialize During Pandemic

For 60 years, Kansas Christian Home has provided social and health services to meet the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of seniors. They continue to do this by using new technologies like the iN2L.

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Juliette Fowler’s Ebby House Provides a Place for Young Women to Heal and Gain Independence

NBA’s Mission & Ministry grants support young women like Amy who was a homeless teen taken in by Juliette Fowler’s Ebby House and has blossomed ever since.

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NBA Announces Spring 2022 Mission & Ministry Grants

We are pleased to announce our Spring 2022 Mission & Ministry Grantees! Our grant program granted a total of $203,000 to 28 Disciples projects working with older adults, children, and youth.

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Mission & Ministry Grants Help Young Adults Gain Life Skills

Mission & Ministry Grants help support young adults like Tonya, who earned her driver’s license and secured a scholarship for college with support from NBA grantee Child Saving Institute and their Independent Living Skills program.

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Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America Presents in the General Assembly Virtual Exhibit Hall

The Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America used their Mission & Ministry Grant to intentionally expand their work from advocacy to action.

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Mission & Ministry Grants Provide Support for Spiritual Deepening and Emotional Care

Templo Cristiano Central has supported clergy interested in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) since 2019. Receiving a Mission & Ministry Grant last year, allowed their CPE program to partner with a local senior housing facility in impactful ways.

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California Church Brings Books, Food and Teaches Life Skills to Foster Children

The BLEND Church Family knew the mental toll the pandemic was having on the children in their community, so they used their Mission & Ministry Grant to provide some levity and life skills.

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NBA Announces Fall 2021 Mission & Ministry Grantees

We are excited to announce our Fall 2021 Mission & Ministry Grantees! This program granted a total of $185,500 to 35 Disciples projects working with older adults, children, and youth.

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COVID-19 NBA Response Grant Supports College Students Needing Financial Assistance

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Chaplains Safely Support Relationships in Residential Facility During Pandemic

NBA COVID-19 Response Grant enables a couple’s love story in quarantine.

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Danville Christian Church Continues Comfort Food Ministry During Pandemic

Before the pandemic, Danville Christian Church partnered with the local Ronald McDonald House in Danville, IN to provide comfort to families. Thanks to a COVID-19 NBA Response Grant, they were able to continue this partnership.

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Showing Students What’s Possible

Showing Students What’s Possible: KidZClub Provides Bilingual Tutoring and Support for College

KidzClub at West Street Church in Tipton, Indiana shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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Offering Fresh Food, Conversation and Smiles During Tumultuous Times

First Christian Church in Princeton, Kentucky used their COVID-19 Mission & Ministry grant to support a program that touched their entire community and spanned multiple generations.

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Supporting Essential Employees Through the COVID-19 NBA Response Grant

When the city of Columbia, Missouri began to shut down due to COVID-19, Woodhaven sprung into action, finding ways to support their essential employees who needed extra support during this unprecedented year. They used a COVID-19 NBA Response Grant to help.

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All People’s College Corner Program Successfully Helps Teens Afford College

All People's Community Center shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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Texas Church Uses Mission & Ministry Grant to Design an Inclusive Playground

Park Place Christian Church shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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NBA Resources for the COVID-19 Pandemic

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How NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants Helped Children Enjoy their Summer

Cleveland Christian Home shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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NBA Grant Programs Team

Contact the NBA Grant Programs team at Grants@NBAcares.org.

Kara Whitehouse

OPERATIONS & GRANTS MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Rev. Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick

VICE PRESIDENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT