Grant Applications

The Commission on Disabilities is charged with providing advocacy, education and direct service on behalf of persons with challenging conditions.  In carrying out this mission, the Commission on Disabilities provides support grants for accessibility, new program ministries, and respite care. To be considered for grant funds, a church must complete the specific grant application listed to the left and attach the required items noted in the application. 

 

Accessibility Grants:  Grants are given to churches that have identified their architectural barriers and have made plans to remove them.  This grant is given to demonstrate that the Commission on Disabilities is supportive of endeavors to allow all people to have full access to the community of saints and the worship of God.  The accessibility grants provide supportive funds for ramps, platform lifts, elevators, bathroom renovations, signs and symbols, door modifications, handrails and any other changes needed to EXISTING CHURCH FACILITIES to give access to all persons.  All renovations that will remove architectural barriers must be in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act or within the guidelines set by the Health and Welfare Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries.  A visit by members of the Grants Committee of the Commission may be required.  Technical support from the Commission is available upon request. 

 

Program Grants:  These grants are given to expand participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of church life.   Churches and/or organizations may submit proposals for new programs and services to assistance with startup costs.  These grants can also provide for the purchase of large print or Braille literature, interpreters for the Deaf, assistive listening devices, Christian Education materials and curriculum for children or adults with special needs, and audio/visual recording of worship services.  The Commission on Disabilities encourages each church member to report to their respective Board of Trustees and Pastor any barrier that prevents any person from entering the church facilities and fully participating in all church programs and activities.

 

Respite Care Grants:  The Commission on Disabilities offers grants to churches, districts, and conference-wide programs which focus on the need for respite among the care givers in our churches and communities.  These grants can be used for start-up of new initiatives or continuation of existing programs. Respite care is urgently needed not just by families with children with disabilities, but by families in many roles of care giving. From infants to the elderly, individuals with and without disabilities, respite is needed to give caregivers a much needed break from the tedious nature of care giving.  

 

Assistance for Ministries with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:  The United Methodist National Committee on Ministries with Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind People provides opportunities for empowering Deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind people through grants for projects and scholarships. Projects include seed money for new ministries, international mission outreach, curriculum development, internships, Deaf camps, Deaf-blind camps, communication access, and scholarships. The grants and scholarships are made possible by general funding from The United Methodist Church and by gifts though The United Methodist Church Advance Special Giving. To see the funding guidelines and applications, visit http://www.umcsignsofsolidarity.org/ and select “Funding.”