Open throughout the year
The Mustard Seed Foundation accepts applications throughout the year to provide seed funding for start-up projects of local churches in the largest urban centers of the world. Funding of up to 50 percent of the total cost of a project will only be provided by the foundation over a limited period of time. The project must be based in any of the focus regions and must satisfy the granting priorities mentioned below.
The Foundation awards grants ranging from $500 to $30,000, depending on the region of the world, size of the project, and the church contribution. The overall average grant size in 2014 was nearly $5,000.
Focus Regions
- Africa
- East Asia
- Europe
- Middle East
- North America
- South America
- Southeast Asia
- South Asia
Granting Priorities
Grant requests submitted to the Foundation are viewed in light of the following priorities by which grant decisions are made-
- Urban: The Foundation has a strong interest in the unique challenges faced by the urban church. Approximately 80 percent of all grants we award support projects in major urban centers.
- Small and Startup: The Foundation provides seed funding for startup projects.
- Individuals in Community: The foundation prefers partnership with local congregations that identify, equip, and support their members who are called to specific areas of ministry in the church, the marketplace, and the world.
- Dynamic: The project must be creative that offer innovative approaches to local church-based ministries. Funds are not for individuals who are serving in administrative roles, or projects for debt relief, land or building purchases.
- Local Church Accountability and Financial Support: For successful grants, a church must be willing to invest financially in a project for Mustard Seed to consider funding that project.
- Partnership: Mustard Seed seeks to help launch projects as a minority partner, providing funds over a limited time period. Funding of up to 50 percent of the total cost of a project will only be provided by the foundation.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to be eligible, applicants must
- be located in a MSF target city
- be a local church or Christian organization
- have a new project in the area of outreach, discipleship, or empowerment
- local churches must contribute financially to the applicant’s new project
- Individuals who are serving in administrative roles, or projects for debt relief, land or building purchases are ineligible and will not be funded.
How to Apply?
- Applicants have to contact the foundation with the description of the –
- Project initiative
- The cost of the project
- Grant amount being sought
- Major sources of financial support (including that of a church or churches)
- A staff member will respond to your inquiry and, if you qualify for funding, will send you a grant application form to complete.
- The application form includes:
- Personal Statement of Faith of the applicant
- Background Information
- Project Summary/ Purpose of Grant
- Local Church Involvement
- Current Year Church Budget
- Previous Year Church Budget
- Project Budget
- Church Governing Board Members
- Legal Documentation
- Church Statement of Faith/ Mission Statement
For more information, visit Mustard Seed Funds.
