Criteria

1. The ministry (program/project) must contribute directly to the mission and ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ and must be consistent with the doctrine and social principles of the United Methodist Book of Discipline.

2. The ministry should focus on developing intentional, innovative, and creative ministries by, with, and for older adults.

3. ENCORE Ministry is affiliated with the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church. Grants are made to United Methodist churches and agencies and affiliated organizations in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference as well as not-for-profit organizations which grew out of or have a current connection to a Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference United Methodist church or agency. On rare occasions the ENCORE Ministry board reserves the right to consider grant applications from organizations not affiliated with The United Methodist Church but that serve United Methodists along with other constituencies, or, in the opinion of the board, can serve as an innovative model for future ministries of United Methodist Churches or agencies.

4. Generally, ministries funded will have the following characteristics:

• • Address root causes of critical issues related to older adults
  • Include a process for local churches, districts, or other entities to listen, discern, and respond to the issues and concerns of older adults
  • Enhance the spiritual faith development of older adults
  • Demonstrate significant involvement of older adults in decision-making, development, and implementation of the program/project
  • Be culturally sensitive and inclusive in all aspects of the program/project
  • Demonstrate a commitment from other funding partners for ongoing support

5. Generally, grants are awarded as 50 percent matching grants. Funds are generally not disbursed until the church or agency has the match for the grant in hand.

6. Grants will be awarded on a one-year basis. Churches or groups may reapply for grants of innovative new ministries, up to a total of three years, provided that the program or ministry has a viable and demonstrated plan for ongoing funding after ENCORE Ministry grants are complete. Special consideration for repeat grants may be given to churches or agencies that serve low-income senior adults where a self-sustaining income plan is more difficult to achieve. A church or agency may apply for only one grant per year.

7. Churches receiving grants agree to “pay forward” these grants by taking an ENCORE Ministry offering on the second Sunday of September or another Sunday of their choosing.

8. Churches receiving grants agree to remain a congregation of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church for a minimum of 24 months from receipt of grants. Failure to do so — whether by closure, disaffiliation, or any other process authorized by General Conference — will result in the churches returning the entire grant amounts prior to their departure from The United Methodist Church.

9. Funds are not granted for budget deficit reduction or debt.

10. Grant applications are accepted all year and are reviewed at quarterly ENCORE Ministry board meetings.

ENCORE Ministry Grants 

1. New Older Adult Ministry Program Grants
   Available to Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference United Methodist churches that do not presently have an active older adult ministry and wish to start one. These one-time grants are for $1,000.

2. Growing Older Adult Ministry Grants
   Available to TWK Conference United Methodist churches with existing older adult ministries that wish to expand and lack the funds to do so. Grants are from $1,000 to $2,500 and are 50 percent matching.

3. Older Adult Community Service Grants
   Available to TWK Conference United Methodist churches to do training, empowering, or advocacy around older adult issues. These grants are also available for ministries providing food security, transportation, healthcare, affordable housing, and spiritual development. The usual range of these grants is $1,000 to $10,000 and are usually 50 percent matching grants.

4. Bill and Lynn McAlilly Grants for Church Accessibility
   Available to TWK Conference United Methodist churches or TWK Conference facilities to make them accessible to older adults so that they may fully participate in church activities. The maximum amount of these grants is $10,000 and they are 50 percent matching grants. On rare occasions, the ENCORE Ministry Board reserves the right to consider grant applications for more than $10,000.

5. Disaster Relief Grants
   Available to TWK Conference United Methodist churches and agencies where disaster damage has significantly impacted the church or agency's ongoing older adult ministry. The maximum amount of these grants is $10,000 and they are 50 percent matching grants.

6. Fred and June Blankenship Grants for Individual Assistance
   Available to TWK Conference United Methodist churches wishing to assist older adults in their church or community with personal and/or financial needs which neither the church nor the individual can fully fund. Grants are from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on need and are 50 percent matching grants.

7. Strategic Initiatives Grants (determined by ENCORE Ministry Board)
   Offers funding for ministry and other initiatives serving the basic needs of older adults in the areas of nutrition, housing, transportation, and healthcare. Its flexible criteria allow board members to expand its boundaries for offering assistance. Options include partnering with organizations, individuals, or corporations to support larger projects or programs such as a launching a feeding ministry or health screening program or creating housing opportunities. Starting in 2020, a total of $150,000 has been reserved for three years.

Application Question #9

The items below correspond to question 9 sections A–E and are intended to help applicants know more fully what the board is looking for in each section. 

A. Stating the Problem/Need

• What are the issues or needs that are being addressed by the church, district, or other Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference-related entity requesting these funds?
• Have the persons who will benefit from this ministry been involved in the decisions about the proposed ministry or program?

B. Description of the Ministry or Program

• Please describe in detail the proposed ministry or program
• What are the desired outcomes?
• What are the steps that must be taken to be successful?
• Have there been previous attempts to address the issue/need?
• Is there any other group in your community with a similar ministry or program?

C. Budget

• Attach a complete, detailed budget for this ministry or
• List income from all sources, (remember ENCORE Ministry grants are generally 50 percent matching grants). Include both cash and in-kind contributions.
• If the church or agency’s match for the grant is not in hand, describe your fundraising plan to raise the additional funds.
• List all expected expenses
• If this is an ongoing program or ministry, how will the program be funded after the ENCORE Ministry grant funding ends?
• Attach contractor bids, drawings, pictures, and any other information that will help the committee understand the scope of the project.

D. Leadership

• Who are the persons involved in leading the ministry or program?
• Are a majority of the decision-makers older adults?

E. Evaluation Plan

• Evaluation lets us know what a ministry or program looks like in operation as well as the results it is achieving. How are you going to evaluate this ministry or program?
• Who will handle the evaluation?
• All grant recipients require a written ministry evaluation within 12 months after receiving a grant from ENCORE Ministry.

When Your Application is Complete

Mail completed application (pages 7 and 8, including attachments A – E) to:

Kent McNish, Executive Director
ENCORE Ministry
304 South Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 9
Nashville, TN 37211

Email: kmcnish@encoreministry.org

Grant Application Approval

If your grant application is approved and funded, the church or agency will:

1. Be notified by mail (email and/or phone call) no later than two weeks following the approval of your application.
2. Be asked to sign and return a Grant Acceptance Agreement.
3. Ensure the church or agency’s match for the grant is in hand prior to returning the Grant Acceptance Agreement.
4. Receive a check for the full amount of the grant (unless other specific details are indicated upon grant approval).
5. Be asked to evaluate the program/project within 12 months of receiving the grant award. This evaluation shall include photos of the ministry and at least a 500-word description/summary of the ministry or program.