WUMF New Ministries Grant – Spring 2026

The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation exists to help United Methodist churches, ministries, organizations and agencies with all things financial regarding their ministries. We hope to support your church or group to expand your ministry. Since the 1980s, we have offered grants to help projects and creative ministries get off the ground in the first years. If you have a creative and innovative program or project or activity which is new to your group, this may be for you. Please read what MAY be and will NOT be funded. These grants are seed money rather than continuing support. Grants typically phase out after three years and must be spent within a year of the award (your award letter will explain the time frame). Grants are awarded in spring and fall, funds permitting.

Grants should be related to the United Methodist Church or be part of a sponsoring group that is ecumenical and to which the church is related.

The Foundation may decide to do a mid-year Spring grant cycle. Fall cycle grants will be for the ensuing calendar year. A grant may be awarded for the full amount, a partial amount or on a vouchered system.

Most grants will be given for one year at a time. Applications may be made annually for a second and third year, but if awarded, these grants will be for no more than 2/3 the original grant in year two and no more than 1/3 the original grant amount in year three.

The typical range of grants is $250-$7,500.

Examples of successful projects will be used in WUMF newsletters and marketing.

The application will include:

• a complete budget for this project (see page 3 for example). You may add narrative or additional information as a Word document attachment or a cover letter.

• 2 required signatures:

  • The governing board chair of the local church or agency requesting the grant

  • The church’s circuit leader, the conference program staff person, or a neighboring church pastor

Please note: No more than two grant requests per church or organization may be submitted per grant round.

For additional information and information on what may or may not be covered by grants, please review these Grant Guidelines