Applying for Grants

Rural Church

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The Duke Endowment's new grant application and submission process is designed to clearly communicate our strategies and guidelines, ultimately helping grantees submit more effective applications.

The new grant submission process includes six steps

Before applying, applicants must contact Joe Mann or Robb Webb at 704.376.0291.

STEP 1. Determine eligibility of your organization.
STEP 2. Identify grant application deadlines
STEP 3. Select the application that best matches your project objectives.
STEP 4. Complete application using online resources.
STEP 5. Submit application and supporting materials.
STEP 6. Receive notification of application submission.

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STEP 1. Determine eligibility of your organization.

The following North Carolina and South Carolina organizations are eligible to apply for Rural Church grants:

• United Methodist Churches that serve North Carolina communities of fewer than 1,500 people
• The North Carolina and Western North Carolina conferences and districts of the United Methodist Church
• Duke University Divinity School
• Retired United Methodist pastors and their families on record with the North Carolina and Western North Carolina conferences

List of Eligible United Methodist Churches in North Carolina
» Download in MS Excel
» Download in PDF

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STEP 2. Identify grant application deadlines.

The Trustees of the Duke Endowment meet to review Rural Care grant applications two times per year – in June and November. Applications must be received on or before the following dates: 

• January 31 for consideration at the June meeting
• July 1 for consideration at the November meeting

You will receive a response to confirm our receipt of your request.

For sanctuary, education and multi-purpose facilities construction and renovation projects, application dates are based on the date of ground breaking. Learn more.

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STEP 3. Select the application that best matches your project objectives.

Programs and capital projects must support one of three funding strategies:

Improving Lives  grants reflect the value we place on proven programs and strategies. As we work to address persistent social problems, expand individual opportunity, and provide essential support, we value established approaches with clear records of success and replicable models.

Strengthening Organizations grants reflect our commitment to investing in building the infrastructure of effective rural churches. In our efforts to improve eligible United Methodist Church facilities and ministries, we are particularly interested in supporting opportunities that show great promise for long-term gains. 

Advancing Innovation grants reflect our investment in projects that advance innovation when high-achieving, successful models are lacking.

For more information, review our grantmaking strategies overview.

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STEP 4. Complete application.
Before applying, applicants must contact Joe Mann or Robb Webb at 704.376.0291.

Once you’ve determined which application best matches your proposed project, download it, review the corresponding guide, sample application and sample budget. Each will provide information important for framing your application responses and budget proposal. Complete and comprehensive applications increase the likelihood that a project will receive Endowment funding.

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STEP 5. Submit application and supporting materials.

Please submit all documents electronically if possible. Grant requests may be mailed as hard copies if necessary. To submit electronically:

• Send to Trena McClure, Senior Administrative Assistant of Rural Church, tmcclure@tde.org
• Include your organization's name in the subject line.

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STEP 6. Receive notification of application submission.

The Duke Endowment will acknowledge receipt of your application.

Contact us if you have any eligibility questions, if you're not sure which funding strategy your project supports, or if you would like to discuss other details of your project.