Cross-Cultural Ministry Grant Handbook

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Table of Contents

Purpose of the Cross-Cultural Ministry Grant

CCM Grant Review Committee: Membership & Responsibilities

Grant Review Process

Grant Evaluation Criteria

Reporting and Accountability

Annual Grant Cycle

Guide to Writing a Cross-Cultural Ministry Grant Proposal

Purpose of the Cross-Cultural Ministry Grant 

Ministries serving non-majority culture groups or ethnicities are vitally important to the church’s call to make disciples of all nations. The integration of such ministries into the life of a majority-culture local church is likewise a beautiful and mature reflection of the unity of Christ’s Body. Therefore, the DRM highly values healthy cross-cultural ministries and desires to see them exist and flourish within the diocese.

The DRM also recognizes that such ministries require deep intentionality on the part of partnering parishes and ministries, long-term relational investment, and sustained resources. It is sometimes the case, however, that even with strong partner parish support, cross-cultural ministries are not able to be wholly self-sustaining due to the limited resources of non-majority culture groups. 

For this reason, the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains provides renewable grants of up to $35,000.00 in order to strengthen, encourage, and celebrate long-term ministries that

  • intentionally cross cultural, racial, and ethnic boundaries within the life of the local parish to reflect Kingdom diversity

  • create genuine spaces of integrated Christian welcome, fellowship, and discipleship for non-majority ethnicities and cultures in order to reflect the oneness of Christ’s body

  • expand the ethnic and racial reach of Anglican witness, especially among immigrant communities.

CCM Grant Review Committee: Membership & Responsibilities

The CCM Grant Review Committee is made up of [members with such and such qualifications approved by the [Diocesan Council and?] Bishop Ordinary. No member of the committee may evaluate a grant proposal related to his or her own parish or ministry.

Grant Review Process

  • Submission of grant proposal

  • Administrative Review

  • Committee Review

  • Committee Deliberation

  • Approval

  • Notification

Grant Evaluation Criteria

Mission Alignment (15 Points)

Is the ministry gospel-centered, connected to the life of a partnering majority-culture parish, and intended to expand the ethnic or racial reach of Anglican witness?

Demonstrated Need (10 Points)

Is there a recognizable need for local ministry to non-majority ethnic or racial group?

Leadership Capacity & Qualifications (10 Points)

Is the ministry led by a locally-rooted shepherd from the cultural/ethnic community who is also equipped by and connected to parish support structures? Is there a vision to raise leaders from within the community?

Local Investment (10 Points)

Does the leader and ministry have the strong support of the local parish? Is there commitment on the part of the non-majority group?

Integration & Mutuality (20 Points)

Does this ministry foster mutuality and integration, where both the minority community and the broader parish contribute to and are shaped by one another? 

Financial Stewardship (15 Points)

Does the ministry have a responsible budget? Are proper accounting practices in place to ensure clear funding of the ministry through the local parish? 

Evidence of Growth (10 Points)

Is there evidence that the ministry is growing and bearing fruit?  Is there evidence of true biblical discipleship (e.g. presence, feeling of investment, volunteering, testimony, growth)?

Evaluation Plan (5 Points)

Does the ministry have a sense of how it will know it is doing well and growing?

Sustainability (5 Points)

Are there structures in place to foster longevity, including avoiding leader burnout?

Reporting and Accountability

Mid-Year Report (due in early June) is to include:

  • Ministry update

  • Participation/growth metrics

  • Challenges encountered

  • Financial summary & accounting

Final Report (due in December) is to include:

  • Ministry outcomes

  • Community impact

  • Final financial report

Annual Grant Cycle

Grant Announcement: April 

Application Deadline: Mid July

Committee Review: August

Funding Decisions: September

Award Notifications: Early October

Grant Disbursement Begins: January 

Mid-Year Reports: Early June

Final Reports: End of December

Guide to Writing a Cross-Cultural Ministry Grant Proposal

Table of Contents

How to Approach the Grant Application Process

Basic Information

Ministry Overview

Vision & Ministry Need

Leadership & Parish Partnership

Budget

Ministry Fruit & Goals

Supporting Documents

How to Approach the Grant Application Process

Please complete this application jointly with the ministry leader and a representative of the partnering parish. The purpose of this temporary application is to help the Diocese understand your ministry, its partnership with the local church, its financial needs, and its vision for the coming year.

Basic Information

  1. Partnering Parish 

  2. Ministry Name 

  3. Ministry Leader (name, email, phone) 

  4. Parish Contact (name, email, phone) 

  5. Amount Requested 

  6. Total Annual Ministry Budget

Ministry Overview

Please tell us about your ministry. Include:

  • Who you serve 

  • The cultural or ethnic community involved 

  • A brief history of the ministry 

  • How the ministry is connected to the partnering parish 

  • Approximately how many people participate

Vision & Ministry Need

In 1.5-2 pages, tell us:

  • What God has called this ministry to do. 

  • Why this ministry is needed in your community. 

  • How it shares the Gospel and makes disciples. 

  • Why your ministry and partnering parish is uniquely positioned to do this work.

Leadership & Parish Partnership

Describe the leadership of the ministry. Please include:

  • Who leads the ministry and why they are suited for this work. 

  • How the parish supports and oversees the ministry. 

  • How the ministry and parish intentionally build relationships across cultures. 

  • How members of both communities participate in one another's life.

Budget

Please provide:

  • Ministry Budget Table

  • Amount requested from the Diocese 

  • Current amount of financial support from the partnering parish 

  • Other funding sources (if any) 

  • A brief written explanation of how the grant funds will be used

Ministry Fruit & Goals

Briefly describe:

  • What signs of God's work in this ministry have you already seen? 

  • What are your primary goals for the coming year for the ministry? 

  • How will you know whether those goals have been achieved?

  • How will the ministry last over the long-term? 

Supporting Documents

Required

  • Letter of support from the Rector 

  • Letter of support from the Vestry 

Optional

  • Letter from someone involved in the ministry 

  • Budget worksheet (or other supporting financial data or materials)