The Ministry Innovation Grant ✦
Recognizing bold, creative expressions of God’s grace in community
Introduction
The Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan are committed to investing in ministries that embody bold love, joyful service, and courageous leadership. The Ministry Innovation Award celebrates leaders, congregations, and ministry partners who embrace this vision as they pursue the church’s mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Aligning with our Wesleyan heritage, this Award highlights the witness of church and ministry partner leadership teams who imagine forward-thinking ways of engaging their communities and encouraging others to join in multiplying their mission and strengthening their presence in the world. It recognizes ministries that move beyond the walls of the church to share grace with neighbors, welcome new people in new places, and work for the transformation of the world. This Award is intended to expand existing or launch new ministries, projects, or initiatives that bring creative approaches, respond to pressing needs, and carry the promise of meaningful change for congregations and communities.
Scale and Capacity of Awards
Multiple awards may be presented to different United Methodist churches and ministry partners within the same year. These awards are designed to be both substantial and financially significant. They will provide meaningful resources to support the boldest and most creative expressions of ministry within the Michigan Conference. By offering the possibility for multi-year funding, the Award ensures that visionary projects have the financial foundation to take root, grow, and demonstrate measurable impact. In doing so, these awards are intended to encourage leaders to imagine forward-thinking approaches, pilot new initiatives, and expand the reach of God’s grace in tangible and transformative ways.
Request for Proposal
We seek applications that clearly connect to the vitality, effectiveness, and witness of a local church or United Methodist ministry partner. Proposals are strengthened when they identify both quantitative and qualitative ways to measure impact. In addition, proposals should clearly demonstrate a shared commitment through financial participation and in-kind support from the congregation or donor-base and any additional ministry partners.
Applications must apply for a minimum of $5,000 in funding (exceptions may be made for second or third year requests; see details below). Applications may request up to 50% of funding available in a given award cycle. The funding available for the 2026-27 award cycle is $152,000.
Since the emphasis is on innovative, fresh possibilities, proposals which primarily address routine facility upkeep, building repairs, or ongoing operational costs will not be prioritized. Likewise, proposals related to staffing expenses are considered only when they directly support the creation of a new innovative ministry or creative position and include a clear strategy for long-term congregational and/or organizational sustainability.
Connection with a Local United Methodist Church
All United Methodist ministry organizations applying for this Award must demonstrate an active partnership with at least one local United Methodist church within the Michigan Conference. This partnership should be substantive. It must reflect shared vision, collaborative planning, and mutual accountability. Proposals should clearly describe how the local church is engaged in the ministry initiative—through financial support, leadership participation, volunteer involvement, or other tangible contributions that strengthen the project’s connection to the wider mission of the Church. This requirement ensures that innovative ministry remains rooted in the life and witness of the local congregation while extending the reach of God’s grace into the broader community.
Ministry Share Contributions
All United Methodist churches within the Michigan Conference are eligible for the Award, subject to the limitations listed below. The local church will have contributed 100% of its ministry shares in the immediate prior year or will provide a detailed explanation of how this project will help increase the percentage of ministry shares contributed in future years.
Multi-Year Eligibility
Prior award recipients are not eligible for subsequent awards, except under the following circumstances:
- Award recipients are eligible to apply for a second year of funding not to exceed 75% of the original award amount, subject to consideration with all other proposals received during the open application period.
- A third and final year of funding consideration may not exceed 50% of the original award amount, subject to consideration with all other proposals received during the open application period.
Beyond these provisions, an award recipient is not eligible to reapply for the same or a closely related project for a period of five (5) years from their most recent award.
Timeline for Inaugural Award Cycle
October 15 – November 13, 2026: Proposals accepted
Remainder of November 2026: Initial review of proposals
December 2026: Follow-up conversations with ministry leaders of select proposals, as needed
February 2027: Award recipients announced
February 2027: Funding provided to award recipients
For more information or questions, please contact the Foundation at 888-451-1929 or Info@UMFMichigan.org.
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