Granting and Enabling

To support ministries special needs

The “BHAL-JUN 발전 Fund” is one of the funds that provide monies to be used in projects throughout the Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council. On April 29, 2014, the Synode Montreal and Ottawa Conference Executive approved the name which means ‘development’ in Korean. Using proceeds of the sale of the Central Korean United Church in Montreal, this fund is intended to provide seed money for new, innovative and unique projects. It does not fund annual operational costs.

• New Ministry Initiatives
• Overseas Global Partner Support
• Aboriginal Ministry
• Youth and Young Adult
• Intercultural
• Transitional Work
• Archives
• Other

Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate clear goals with a well-developed plan for achieving the goals. Outcomes shall be measurable and a plan for assessment shall also be included.

The application will demonstrate the following:

• Encourage new expressions of ministry with the ability to be vital and effective;
• A strong faith commitment;
• Good management of finances, staff and/or volunteers;
• Cooperation among congregations or other groups;
• Broad support from the church and, if appropriate, the community

Multi-year funding will be considered in appropriate circumstances, subject to regular progress reports and financial reports (funding for a maximum of three years).

Applicants who submit requests for funding for projects they previously received a grant for should be aware that they may not receive any funding in subsequent years or, if they do receive funding, that it will be at a reduced level.

The Leadership Team will not consider applications that are from or for the benefit of an individual or to reduce accumulated capital or operating deficits.

Accountability for the use of grants shall be governed by the following:

• A plan for the project, its operations and assessment will be required;
• Financial reporting shall be made available at predetermined times and upon request;
• Regular evaluation of the project at predetermined times.
• Applications shall have been approved by the governing body of the submitting group.

Bhal-Jun 발전 Grant Process

1. Develop a vision and plan for the project.
2. Use the standardized application form to detail the vision and plans.
3. Obtain appropriate approvals.
4. Send the application and supporting documentation to the Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council office (c/o Brian Ruse) indicating the application is for “BHAL-JUN 발전 Fund”
5. The applicant will be notified that the application has been received and advised of the timeline for its consideration.
6. Following consideration by the Granting and Enabling Leadership Team, the applicant will be contacted to be informed of the decision or to solicit further information.
7. A final written evaluation report is expected and is an opportunity to celebrate the learnings of the project with the regional council.

For programs to support outreach or transformation

The Erskine and American Trust fund was established by Montréal Presbytery upon the amalgamation of the former Erskine and American United Church, and was intended to create a permanent endowment for continuing the vibrant outreach programmes of that Congregation’s heritage, as well as for new and transformational ministries within the future direction of our Church. The Trust Fund was renamed to include Mountainside United Church upon additional contribution to the endowment fund by Mountainside in 2018. The disbursement policy of the Trust will permit the Trustees to recommend grant expenditures of up to the limit of funds as calculated for each year based on the holdings in the Fund. Please note that all applicants must be located in the Province of Québec and be registered charitable organisations under the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Calls for applications to the Fund will be made each year at intervals decided upon by the Granting and Enabling Committee. This information will be updated and published accordingly as required. The Regional Council website may be consulted for the most recent information: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/granting-and-enabling/

Applications are strictly limited to the form that is available on the above website, with no attachments. Any attachments will not be read or considered as part of the application. Should the Trustees require further information beyond the application form, you will be contacted.

The application procedure has been refined to assure that all applicants have the opportunity to present their programmes and causes, along with the associated financial needs, in a way that allows no important information to be accidentally omitted or overlooked. The new form streamlines the process, makes it easier for applicants to know exactly what is required, and simplifies the procedure for all organisations. This will help to remove any question of what information needs to be included, especially for new applicants, facilitating the process for both the applicants and the E & A Trustee review panel. The choice to change the application process co-incides with other changes in the United Church of Canada structure and administration, and fits with the timing of these changes.

Applications may be sent by post, fax or e-mail to the receiving office shown below, for arrival by the time and date stated on the website or on the application as downloaded therefrom. All applications will receive an acknowledgement by e-mail. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact the office us to check that your material has been received.

Applications should contain a synopsis of the intended project, describe any partnering with other United Church institutions and include a budget. Please indicate if money is being received from any other United Church funding. Please also indicate if any other grants have been applied for or received.

The overall criteria of the Erskine and American-Mountainside Trust Fund are geared toward outreach and/or transformational ministries, or some combination the two. Projects should be directed to furthering the life and ministry of the United Church of Canada in the local area/region. The Erskine and American-Mountainside Fund is not intended for projects related to property renewal, or for supplementing staff salary expenses.

A follow-up report/evaluation is expected, indicating the actual outcome. This policy is strictly enforced, and failure to supply this information will result in denial of possible future grants.

Erskine and American Trust Fund
c/o Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council
225-50th Avenue, Lachine, Québec, H8T 2T7

Tel: 514-634-7015
Fax: 514-634-2489
E-mail: BRuse@united-church.ca

Download description: Erskine and American Trust Fund 2020-10-29-E

To support new or innovative ministry programs

The Kelley Trust was created by a bequest many years ago under the Will of Dr. Frederick Kelley who had been Sunday School Superintendent of Montreal West United Church and a founder of nearby Rockfield United Church in Ville Saint-Pierre, which had been sponsored by Montreal West UC.

Dr. Kelley’s Will provided for 3 Trustees, one of whom is the minister at Montreal West UC and the other two including a member of the Finance and Extension Board and a member of the Regional Council (formerly the Presbytery). The Trustees decide alone (and unanimously) on all grants and NO Regional Council approval is needed – according the Trustees normally act very quickly on applications.

The Kelley Fund focus is on new and innovative ministry programs, particularly with a strong hands-on involvement of United Church folk in witnessing and learning. There is a three-year limit on support grants, preferring start-ups or other initiatives (including one-time events) intended to promote United Church spiritual life and presence in our community. The Kelley Trust is very much about faith enhancement and transformation.

The Kelley Trust Fund has up to $30,000 annually to disburse (as it limits expenditures to 5% of the capital balance which is about $600,000) and its grants are typically $2500 or less.

Application Process

Applications should be completed on the general application form established by the Granting and Enabling Leadership Team and should be sent by email or mail to the Regional Council Office which contacts the Trustees and communicates their decisions. The Trustees can be approached verbally but the contact person should be the Minister at Montreal West United Church.

The Kelley Trustees as of January 1, 2020 are Rev. Mark Hammond, Fred Braman and Renate Sutherland.

For programs to support seniors at risk

The Good Samaritan Fund is established with The United Church of Canada Foundation (UCCF) as a perpetual endowment fund. This fund was created with fifty percent (50%) of the assets from the sale of the United Church Montreal Homes for Elderly People (Griffith-McConnell Residence) building ($2.25 million) along with all of the assets held by the Good Samaritan Foundation / La Fondation du Bon Samaritan ($2.5 million) and the assets of the Amelia Toeper Fund ($0.15 million). This fund will total approximately $7 million.

Projects relating to work for the relief of the aged in the Province of Quebec and seniors at risk (with special attention paid to those within the jurisdiction of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council) will benefit most from these funds, in line with the original intent of the mission of The United Church Montreal Homes for Elderly People (Griffith-McConnell Residence).

The Good Samaritan Committee also encourages applications for smaller one-time projects such as funding for a speaker series, projects of short duration, etc. Capital improvement projects or computer expenses will not be considered.

Following the best practices of Canadian charitable foundations, the Fund will disburse approximately $350,000 per annum. A staggered and tiered granting process is recommended to ensure funds are available each year. Grant disbursements typically range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000.

Generally, grants are disbursed in installments bi-annually. All recipients will be subject to annual reviews (or more frequent if the committee deems necessary) before the next installment of their grant is distributed. This may involve an onsite inspection in addition to financial review. If grants for Quebec area projects do not expend the annual disbursement limit, the United Church of Canada Foundation may use the remainder for seniors’ projects elsewhere in Canada as per the terms of the Good Samaritan Fund or Watkins Fund for innovative seniors’ ministry.

Good Samaritan Fund Application Process

The committee will announce a call for applications twice a year—in the spring and in the fall.

Applications may only be accepted from a legal, registered, Canadian charitable organisation (or must be sponsored by a UCC ministry site if the organisation is not incorporated) and each project must be associated in some way with the United Church of Canada (UCC). The Good Samaritan Fund does not cover computer or capital expenses.

Applications should be submitted using the standard Regional Council grant application form and should be accompanied by a completed Regional Council grant outcomes report for any past grants received.

To support discernment and planning process for future ministries

Communities of Faith are facing a number of challenges including, in a number of cases, their very viability. The principal goal of the The Light A Spark/Allumer Un Étincelle Program Initiative is to “spark” initiatives by Communities of Faith to seriously engage in a process to discern the future of their ministry and directions for the future and to embark on a plan to get there.

Light A Spark/Allumer Un Étincelle provides funding to engage outside professional facilitation to assist in this process of discernment, such as the EDGE consulting group of the United Church and others. Typically the process serves to bring clarity to the goal to be attained, to identify possible options within the Community of Faith and with the wider community, and a plan to get there. Not infrequently it involves a consultation with the wider community to identify ministry options “outside the walls”.

This direction for discernment can take different forms and directions, For example, this could include amalgamation, merger, or sharing of resources with another Community of Faith or Communities of Faith. It could involve a changing or enhancement of direction including, for example, a different focus of the ministry by “looking outside the walls” and engaging with the wider community even partnering with community-based organizations to meet pressing community needs. The discernment is both inward, “what feeds the spirit of the community” and outward “what are we called to do, what are possible options, and what are paths forward?”

Experience has shown that this process is often driven by a sense of necessity not infrequently by pressing financial and/or building/property concerns. Discernment as to possible direction options and concrete steps and a plan can be difficult as often decisions need to be taken where there are very different and sometimes seemingly irreconcilable positions taken by groups within the Community of Faith. The challenge is to discern a path forward and to proceed on that path. Professional facilitation can help this process.

Program criteria

The principal criteria is a demonstrated commitment by the Community of Faith to strengthen/evolve their ministry and demonstrated “life” and leadership within the Community of Faith to move forward. The proposal could involve more than one Community of Faith (as was the case in the Laurentian Area Ministry (LAM) or partnership between a Community of Faith and an outside organization such as a community-based organization. The goal is revitalized ministry.

Collaborations and partnerships are encouraged. Proposals could, for example, involve two or more ministries in joint program proposals where this could lead a sharing of resources, closer collaboration, and a strengthened relevant ministry(ies). Proposals could also include collaboration/ partnership with, for example, an NGO or community organization(s).

Program proposals should be submitted to the Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council c/o the Granting and Enabling Leadership Team. A general application form is available on the website or from the Regional Council Office. Approval of the proposal by the applicant’s Board of Directors/Official Board is required to establish “buy in”. The Proposal should set out the budget to carry out the proposal, the qualifications of the consultant to be engaged, the steps to be taken, provision for reporting on progress, challenges encountered, and results achieved.

Learnings from the experiences gained by this program will be shared such that other ministries can benefit from these experiences as they discern options for their futures and to provide a forum for the sharing of experiences and ideas.

Videos

• Camp Cosmos: https://bit.ly/LightASpark-CampCosmos
• Laurentian Area Ministry: https://bit.ly/LightASpark-LAM-MRL
• Northlea United Church: https://bit.ly/LightASpark-Northlea
• Southwest United Church and Mission: https://bit.ly/LightASpark-Southwest