NBA Announces 2019 Applications for Mission and Ministry Grants

by NBA Cares

National Benevolent AssociationNational Benevolent Association

Serving as the Disciples health and social services general ministry, the National Benevolent Association (NBA) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is currently accepting applications from Disciples congregations and health and social service ministries interested in applying for an NBA Mission and Ministry Grant. The deadline to apply this year is September 6, 2019.

NBA Mission and Ministry Grants

The NBA Mission and Ministry Grants are designated for “Educational Purposes for At-Risk Children and Youth” between the ages of 10-25 years, and for “Older Adult Ministries” serving those who are 50 years or older, in the United States and Canada. These communities have been a primary part of NBA’s ministry since our founding more than 130 years ago, and are communities that the NBA continues to support and accompany.

Through this program, NBA was able to grant $157,900 to 20 ministries in 2018, located across 13 Disciples regions. Of the selected projects, nine are focused on at-risk children and youth; six are focused on older adults; and five are intergenerational, serving both communities.

“We are overjoyed by the grant applications that we’ve received over the last two years and are honored that we get to continue this important work,” says Rev. Rebecca Hale, NBA Executive Vice President. “The impact these organizations are making is such a gift to their respective communities. We are grateful to be able to invest in health and social services ministry in this way.”

One such ministry is The Nashville Food Project (TNFP), which first engaged with NBA through the Incubate Initiative’s annual SENT Seminar, and then received a Mission and Ministry Grant in 2018. In 2019, TNFP anticipates sharing more than 5,000 nutritious meals and snacks each week with many of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“Before The Nashville Food Project, I would forget to eat. Now, I’m eating more regularly, and my health is improving,” shares an older adult participant. “I had a stroke about three and a half years ago, and the healing process is taking a lot of my energy. This service is convenient for me, because it’s brought right to my door. Now, I don’t have to cook a meal when I’m about to conk out. The Nashville Project has no idea how much of a help it is. It’s just beautiful.”

NBA Grant Categories and Amounts

In June 2019, NBA will begin accepting applications from Disciples organizations for grants in the following categories and amounts:

  • Catalyst Grants: $1,000 – $5,000: These are startup funds to get projects up and running and/or to expand an existing project to a new area/initiative. These grants should enable organizations to explore a new venture or a new project idea.
  • Innovation Grants: $6,000 – $15,000: These funds should help move an established project to a new level of effectiveness and impact. Organizations should clearly explain how these funds will help accomplish this.
  • Impact Grants: $20,000+: These funds should be used for major leaps in project areas with a proven plan for how these will move the organization to a new level of sustainability and impact. Grantees will be required to work closely with NBA staff to ensure implementation and sustainability of the projects and to provide opportunities for the rest of the church to learn from their experience.

NBA Grant Committee and Evaluation

Each year, a Grant Committee will review all applications and make funding decisions on an annual granting cycle. Committee members for 2019 are:

Application Process

NBA Mission and Ministry Grants are available for congregations and health and social service ministries that are affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and are located in the United States and Canada. U.S. projects must have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status through the church and/or the state in which the ministry operates. Canadian projects must be registered charities through the CRA.

Grantees will be required to complete an impact report and share a story about their project and the impact it has in their community. NBA always looks to foster learning for the whole church about effective health and social service ministries, and will work with grantees to help amplify the success and impact of the work they are doing.

The grant application is available online, and all completed applications must be submitted by September 6, 2019, by 11:59 p.m. Applicants will be notified of their results the week of November 11, and funds will be distributed to awardees by early December for use in the 2020 calendar year.

Find frequently asked questions, the online application, and more information about the NBA Mission and Ministry Grant Program at nbacares.org/grants. For additional questions, please email grants@nbacares.org.

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About the National Benevolent Association
As the health and social services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the National Benevolent Association partners with congregations, regions, general ministries, and a variety of Disciples-related health and social service providers to create communities of compassion and care. Founded in 1887 by six women responding to the needs of the day and on their doorsteps, for 130 years the NBA has continued to serve “the least of these.”