Digital Ministry Grants 2021
OVERVIEW
The ongoing pandemic has required congregations to adapt, take risks, and learn more and more about online community building.
As we continue on through this long-term season apart, and look ahead to the new modes of ministry (both online and hybrid), all congregations in Eastern and Western Michigan are invited to apply in our second round of Digital Ministry grant funding.
Digital Ministry Grants will fund investments into software, hardware, training, and more to help make online and hybrid offerings more engaging, more accessible, easier to manage, and better connected to on-site, long-term ministry.
There is a total of $20,000 available — $10,000 per diocese — thanks to generous gifts and designations from Eastern Michigan’s Congregational Development and Redevelopment Fund and Western Michigan’s Bishop Whittemore Foundation.
GUIDELINES
The maximum grant award is $700 per congregation or cooperating ministry.
Digital Ministry Grants are a one-time disbursement.
Grants may fund the following areas:
- Hardware purchases (cameras, computers, etc.)
- Software purchases (programs, applications, etc.)
- Internet and Wifi installation and upgrades, prioritizing one-time expenses
- Solutions to bridge the access gap between internet-users and non-internet users
- Training for digital ministry from outside of existing diocesan resources
Prioritization will be given to applications with a long-term objective, investing in online and digital ministry even when in-person gatherings are possible.
Grants may not fund gifts to individuals or families.
Applications should demonstrate appropriate financial or other investment from the congregation.
What if my congregation received funding in the previous round of funding?
While prioritization will be given to congregations that have not received a Digital Ministry Grant, applications are welcome from those that may have received partial or full funding in the previous round with some explanation of how that investment was utilized.
APPLY NOW
Applications will be considered by a committee including members of the diocesan staffs and the bi-diocesan Evangelism Taskforce.
Applications are due April 1.
—
Contact Katie Forsyth, our Canon for Evangelism and Networking for both dioceses, with any questions about the granting process or for ongoing support for digital ministry, communications, and evangelism. She can be reached atkforsyth@eastmich.org and kforsyth@edwm.org.
Additionally, all communicators (clergy and lay, paid and volunteer) are invited to connect with others throughout our two dioceses in our resource group – the Episcopal Communicators Network of Eastern & Western Michigan.
