Microgrant Application for Small Churches

One More Question is an initiative of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church to invite local congregations to get to know their neighbors and communities better in order to be partners in building stronger communities through relationships. We are seeking innovative and creative ideas!

Who May Apply

ARUMC churches that worship an average of fewer than 200 people on Sunday AND

    OR have attended an OMQ Regional Training,

OR have attended the Lights of Arkansas Training,

OR are currently participating in or have completed the Lights of AR Cohort,

OR have completed a Jumpstart Neighboring Experiment Zoom Cohort, 

OR have completed the Good Neighbor Worship or Small Group Experience Series.

Maximum Amount to be awarded: $750

Please be mindful that there is a limited number of funds for which over 400 churches could apply. Any funds that the local church, individuals, or the community can employ toward the total cost of the ministry or program would allow us to serve more churches. 

Grant applications will be considered that request support for

1. Activities that seek input from church neighbors and the community, as the local congregation discerns outreach ministry design or church facility redesign, such as community-asset mapping, neighborhood surveys (formal or informal), community meals to ask questions needed for discernment, etc. 
2. Outreach opportunities designed to build relationships with their church neighbors and community, such as block parties, neighborhood gatherings, and special opportunities that also show continuous, regular connection with those in the neighborhood. Designs need to show how follow-up to connections made at these events will occur.
3. Ministries designed WITH church neighbors and the community, such as Neighborhood clean-up, community organizing, and others that include the neighbors or the community in the implementation. 
4. Outreach ideas that are developed through trainings or cohort experiences.

Important Note: Grant applications will not be considered that seek funds for online worship technology or ministries that meet 200,000 More Reasons grant application guidelines. Feeding ministry redesigns to be more relational may be submitted, though requests for support of food to be distributed will not be considered. For clarification, please contact Mary Lewis Dassinger (mdassinger@arumc.org) or Samantha Menley (Samantha.menley@arumc.org).

If funds are granted, awardees will not only submit a written report describing the use of the funds and the implementation of the event/program but also attend at least one Zoom meeting with ARUMC staff to share learning and best practices with other awardees. 

Applying:

1. Complete the application after reading the above carefully. 
2. Applications may be submitted at any time after completing one of the required learning opportunities listed above. This is an ongoing, open application process. Once the money set aside for grants is used, the application process will close. Award notice will be made within 4-6 weeks after applying. 
3. The online application system does not save or allow you to go back and edit your work. Consider typing the answers to each question in a permanent document and copying it into the online application. Online submissions are preferred since other formats must be entered by hand by staff. 
4. If you are not able to complete this form online, download the PDF Form. Return via email or mail to: Mary Lewis Dassinger, ARUMC Staff, 33 Saint Andrews Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212, mdassinger@arumc.org.
5. For applications submitted correctly through the online application system, an auto-generated email acknowledging receipt from Wufoo should be in your email inbox immediately. Check your spam/junk folder. If it is not received, then it was not submitted correctly. 
6. For paper or emailed applications, please allow 5 days for an email acknowledging receipt from mdassinger@arumc.org. If after this time you have not received an email in your inbox/junk/spam folders, please call Mary Lewis Dassinger at (501) 425-9049.
7. Email is required. Award and report communications will be made via email only.
8. Review reporting requirements PRIOR to ministry implementation. Photo/Video or other documentation is requested.