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Congregations with Community is now accepting applications for more than $2.5 million in grants to help Indiana congregations and community organizations work together, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.
In Kokomo, three partnerships supported through earlier grant rounds show the range of challenges these collaborations can address, from mental health and addiction recovery to overall family wellness. The partnerships are among 51 grants that have been awarded in the Congregations with Community’s first two funding cycles.
The next round of grant funding is now open to any Christian congregation or community development corporation (CDC) connected to a congregation that is located in Indiana and will partner with an outside organization to address local needs. All applications are due by Sept. 11.
“When we come together as a team, we become unified and can have a greater impact on our communities,” said McKenzie Scott Lewis, Senior Director of Congregations with Community. “We don’t want our grants to be transactional. We want them to be transformational.
“The key word in our nonprofit’s name is ‘with.’ We are with you every step of the way so you are not fighting alone. We want these funds to help facilitate your vision, your mission and your dreams.”
In Kokomo, three partnerships supported by Congregations with Community show what that kind of transformation can look like.
Crossroads Community Church and the Kokomo Thriving Center
A series of two-day boot camps trained 124 faith leaders and volunteers from 25 organizations in life-coaching skills designed to strengthen mental health resilience and community engagement. The goal was to better equip people serving on the front lines of issues like homelessness, addiction recovery, and domestic violence.
First Baptist Church and Turnabout Community Resource Center
The partnership expanded addiction recovery, counseling, and grief support in Howard County, including 1,800 hours of service and reaching more than 100 community members. The effort has helped create a stronger network of support and connection to people working to rebuild their lives.
Refreshing Springs Church, H.A.R.T. and Young Hearts Academy
The “Mind, Body, and Soul” program has reached more than 225 children and families with educational and wellness programming, while providing more than 1,100 healthy meals and snacks. Participants developed skills in emotional intelligence and decision-making while gaining opportunities to connect with additional community support.
Congregations With Community utilizes a “grant plus” model. Community engagement advisors work with groups who are interested in pursuing a grant before, during, and after the grant process to help refine focus, navigate the process, and strengthen the partnership overall. Applicants select the challenge in their community they want to address.
Each grant will range from $100,000 to $250,000, with recipients required to make a five-percent match. Interested organizations are encouraged to contact Congregations with Community directly to discuss the grant opportunity and application process. Applications are due on Sept. 11. Future rounds of grant funding are expected in 2027.
Additional information about Congregations with Community, an initiative hosted by the Center for Congregations, eligibility and application process is available at https://cwcin.org/.