| No matter if you're a leader of a place of worship, or a | | | | Here are some of the programs the Lilly Foundation |
| religious-based center, you need help in paying your | | | | fund: |
| bills... and serving your community. There's certainly | | | | - Worship training/mentoring at Christian colleges |
| nothing wrong with asking for money to promote your | | | | - Funding of Christian studies programs and |
| faith of choice - especially if you're running a | | | | Christian-based publications |
| Christian-based group or place of worship. | | | | - The national, clergy renewal program. The program |
| But, unlike other types of grants, religious grants | | | | gives each selected, Christian congregation a grant |
| applications and proposals are not highly favored by | | | | totaling $45,000 per annum to create a renewal |
| many granting organizations. One of the main reasons | | | | program for their pastor. In order for your congregation |
| for this is because they don't want to be seen as | | | | to qualify, the lead pastor must hold at least a master |
| promoting a certain type of group. Another reason is | | | | of divinity degree. |
| there more secular funding places than religious ones. | | | | You can also find other places on the Internet with |
| That all changed in 2001, when George W. Bush | | | | information on how to obtain funding for religious |
| passed faith-based initiative laws that has provided | | | | grants, just check the link below. The site lists many |
| more funding for religious grants, with a blend of getting | | | | different resources, such as articles, links to other |
| more people involved in caring for their communities. | | | | religious grant sites, and tips for writing grants |
| What places offer religious-based grants? One place | | | | proposals for religious groups and nonprofit |
| is the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiative. | | | | organizations. They have a whole library of religious, |
| Since 2001, this center has helped many churches and | | | | nonprofit, disability, education, and many, many other |
| local, Christian-based organizations get the money they | | | | types of grants that you can apply for. Just click on |
| need to keep their doors open. Your church or | | | | "religion grants" and you have a list of such grant |
| organization can also receive this money (check with | | | | programs. The names of some of these grants are |
| them to see how you qualify.) However, if you prefer | | | | the Roger Clemens Foundation (kid's), Fund for |
| to request money from a private, Christian-based | | | | Theological Education (religious learning), and Faith In |
| organization, check out the Lily Foundation. Since the | | | | Action (faith-based initiative.) The site even list grants |
| foundation opened its doors in 1937, it has supported | | | | for funding of arts and science programs, so no longer |
| many Christian schools, churches, and even Christian | | | | will you have to worry about paying the bills when |
| day care centers. | | | | doing the Lord's work.. |