SCORING RUBRIC ✦

Grace in Action Ministry Innovation Award

Demonstrates clear alignment with the mission and vision of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan; reflects bold love, joyful service, and courageous leadership.

10 – Strongly aligned, mission-centered, and clearly rooted in Wesleyan theology of grace;
7-9 – Clearly aligned, with good integration of mission and grace;
4-6 – Partial alignment; limited clarity on missional connection;
1-3 – Weak or unclear connection
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Introduces new or bold approaches to ministry; demonstrates creative problem-solving and imaginative engagement with community or congregational life.

13-15 – Highly innovative, forward-thinking, or first-of-its- kind;
9-12 – Some new or creative aspects, builds on existing models;
5-8 – Incremental improvement; limited innovation;
1-4 – Conventional or maintenance-focused
Please enter a number from 1 to 15.
Addresses pressing community needs; promotes engagement beyond church walls; strengthens discipleship and community transformation.

0 – Strong community partnerships, broad engagement, clear evidence of transformational potential;
7-9 – Solid engagement and clear benefit to community;
4-6 – Limited engagement or unclear community benefit;
1-3 – Minimal or internal-only impact
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Defines clear, measurable goals; includes both quantitative and qualitative metrics for evaluating impact and success.

10 – Specific, measurable, realistic, and time-bound goals with solid evaluation plan;
7-9 – Clear goals with some measurable elements;
4-6 – General goals, limited measurement detail;
1-3 – Vague goals, no evaluation plan
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Demonstrates strong potential for long-term impact beyond grant period; includes financial participation, in-kind support, and sustainability plan.

10 – Detailed sustainability plan with strong financial and community backing;
7-9 – Viable plan, some reliance on grant funding;
4-6 – Limited sustainability plan;
1-3 – Unsustainable or unclear plan
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Shows substantive partnership with at least one Michigan Conference UMC; includes shared vision, mutual accountability, and tangible contributions.

10 – Deep, active partnership with strong collaboration;
7- 9 – Clear partnership, moderate collaboration;
4-6 – Minimal or symbolic partnership;
1-3 – Weak or missing partnership evidence
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Outlines achievable milestones, timeline, and budget; demonstrates readiness and organizational capacity to implement.ip.

10 – Well-structured, realistic, and detailed plan;
7-9 – Clear plan with manageable adjustments needed;
4-6 – Some unclear or unrealistic elements;
1-3 – Incomplete or implausible plan
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Articulates how prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace are expressed through the project; demonstrates a theological foundation that motivates ministry.

10 – Deep theological understanding; grace is integral to purpose and design;
7-9 – Clear theological reflection; grace evident in purpose;
4-6 – Mentions grace but lacks theological depth;
1-3 – Minimal or unclear theological connection
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
Reflects responsible stewardship, financial transparency, and connectional commitment to ministry shares.

5 – 100% ministry shares paid and strong financial accountability;
3-4 – 75–99% paid with strong plan to increase;
1-2 – Below 75% paid or weak financial rationale
Please enter a number from 1 to 5.
Captures the spirit of “grace in action”; compelling vision that inspires others, multiplies mission, and strengthens the church’s witness.

10 – Inspiring, transformative, and visionary;
7-9 – Strong and clear, but not fully compelling;
4-6 – Adequate but limited inspiration or reach;
1-3 – Incomplete, implausible, or misaligned with grant purpose
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.