It’s easy to apply for a SOLI stewardship-education grant!
Click Here to download an application. Save the form to your computer, rename the file, fill it out as completely and as detailed as you are able, and send it by email to SOLI’s executive director, the Rev. Dr. Martin Zimmann, mzimmann@uls.edu. Remember the deadlines are March 15 and September 15 of every year.
FAQ:
How often are the grants awarded?
Grants are awarded twice a year.
What are the deadlines to apply?
Application deadlines are March 15 and September 15. Notification of grant awards will be made by May 15 and November 15.
For how much may my organization apply?
Grants will normally range from $1,000 to $8,000; in exceptional cases, a grant of more than $8,000 may be granted, up to a maximum of $12,000.
Grants will normally be a one-time award. Funding may be extended for an ongoing project, but applicants must submit a new application after the first year’s award. Reports are expected upon completion of all projects, and must be received before funding is extended.
Who is eligible to apply?
ELCA-affiliated ministries, such as seminaries, synods, congregations, and other entities.
What is the purpose of the grants?
The Stewardship of Life Institute seeks to promote stewardship education in the ELCA, especially with seminarians and rostered leaders. We are looking for grant proposals for projects, workshops, or events that encourage stewardship education.
What must the application include?
Grant proposals should include a compelling narrative, not only explaining how the money would be used, but also how the proposal aligns with the program’s purpose, what participants would learn, what follow-up would be done and what long-term benefits would derive from the program. Applicants should make the ‘best case” for their proposals.
Grant proposals also must include the application and a detailed budget. SOLI anticipates that its grant funding is part of a budget that includes “skin in the game” by the sponsoring organization and/or participants. “Skin in the game” can include money appropriated, as well as staff time, resources and in-kind contributions.
What makes a good proposal?
In keeping with SOLI’s mission, proposals of primary interest will be those that assist in seminarian education or first call theological education. Of secondary interest will be proposals that assist in stewardship leadership education among laity and clergy.
SOLI is especially interested in proposals that that are repeatable and scalable across multiple constituencies and/or that involve collaboration within the ELCA.
Whom can I contact for clarifications?
If you have any questions, please contact SOLI’s executive director, the Rev. Dr. Martin Zimmann, mzimmann@uls.edu.
Click here for an overview of the SOLI grant program.
Click here for a history of the SOLI grant program.
Click here to read about projects we’ve funded in the past.
