New churches in need of money to operate or build a place of worship may obtain grants from various organizations. Funding may be used for just about any start-up cost, such as land acquisition, furnishing, and staffing. Some organizations provide funding for operating costs while a church is in its first year of existence. Applications ask for few qualifications and paperwork for such funding, although some do have church-affiliation requirements or preferences.

Kingdom Advance

Virginia Baptists On Mission is a Baptist church organization aimed at helping churches and leaders develop the needs for expanding resources. Under its Courageous Churches program, Kingdom Advance offers grant money to new churches. The grant will cover start-up or operating expenses, depending on level of need. The application will ask grant seekers about their relationship to God and their goals. Application materials include a description of the ministry, list of equipment, description of marketing campaign, and facility to be used. Grant amounts vary. Interested parties should apply online or by mail. (See Reference 1.)

Applications may be obtained at:

Virginia Baptists On Mission

2828 Emerywood Parkway

Richmond, VA 23294

804-915-5000

vbmb.org

Hefferlin Foundation

The Hefferlin Foundation is a non-profit religious organization created to promote Religious Science. The foundation provides financial assistance to new churches associated with the United Centers for Spiritual Living or International Centers of Spiritual Living. Consideration is given to churches with the greatest potential for the growth of the Science of Mind philosophy, and serving a community with special needs. Funding covers a full year of start-up costs and marketing. Grant amounts will vary. Applications must include detailed budget, essay, and reference letters. (See Reference 2.)

To obtain an application, contact the Hefferlin Foundation at:

Church Support Committee Co-Chair

8188 Villa Grande Court

Sarasota, FL 34243

941-320-8291

hefferlin.org

Pembrook Foundation

The Pembrook Foundation was started in the early 1980s in an effort to start a Baptist Church. The land it purchased became very valuable, and the foundation decided to sell the property and use the money to help fund new churches. Since 1991, the Pembrook Foundation has helped start over 212 churches with grants amounting to over one million. Funding is given to provide rental assistance, and cover start-up costs and general needs. To apply for such grants, churches must have a pastor, be no more than a year old, and be a part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). (See References 3,4.) SBC is an organization of southern Baptist churches, which meets annually. Primary consideration for the grant is given to southern Baptist churches, especially in Florida.

Applicants may be obtained online or by writing to:

The Pembrook Foundation

c/o Executive Director

9089 Orlando Ave.

Navarre, FL 32566

407-758-4130

pembrookfoundation.org

Foursquare Foundation

The Foursquare Foundation is part of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, an interdenominational evangelist organization. The foundation provides grant funding to any church and ministry in need, although priority is given to Foursquare Churches. Funding covers up to a 50 percent match for cost used for church planning, outreach, media, leadership training and event planning. Approximately one in ten applications will be accepted. (See Reference 5.)

To apply, interested churches should submit an application online or write to:

Foursquare Foundation

1910 West Sunset Blvd. Suite 800

Los Angeles, CA 90026

213-989-4512

foursquarefoundation.net