Guidelines for the Church Collaboration Grant

​

The Purpose: Dover Baptist Association awards Church Collaboration Grants to advance the cause of Christ by helping churches participate in collaborative ministry efforts. By “ministries,” the association means any effort, program, or partnership that a Dover congregation feels led to pursue as churches work together to carry out the Great Commission within their community context. Eligible initiatives may include participation in Dover Baptist Association–wide efforts (such as church safety initiatives), collaborative ministries with other local churches, or partnerships with community organizations or ministry groups. To qualify, the effort must represent a collaborative way for the applying church to help people know God’s love and make disciples through collaboration with the Dover Baptist Association, local churches, or community organizations and ministries, even if similar initiatives have been attempted by others.

​

Who Makes the Decision? The Church Collaboration Team judges all grant applications.  Applying does not guarantee approval.  The team will approve grants that, in the judgment of its members, fulfill the purpose of the grants. If a member of the Church Collaboration Team’s church is applying that member will recuse themselves from the approval process as a safeguard for conflict of interest. If a quorum cannot be established the approval will fall to the executive committee.

​

How Much Does the Association Give? The grants come from the designated Church Collaboration fund.  The team will award grants per church of up to $1,000 or 50% of the cost of the project, whichever is less, in any calendar year.  It will award funds to eligible projects on a first come, first served basis.

​​

Limitations and Eligibility: The Church Collaboration Team will act within sixty days of receiving the request, and the applying church must begin the ministry within six months of the team’s approval or the grant will expire.  Once the ministry begins, the church or mission will receive the approved grant money.  The team may consider exceptions to these guidelines as requested.  These guidelines take effect when approved and remain in effect until the association alters them.Preferential consideration will be made for projects involving two or more Dover churches. If a project is not approved a written statement as to the reasons will be provided to the executive committee who can override the decision if they deem it necessary. To be considered for future grant awards, the awarded church or mission must provide a report along with receipts/balances within 30 days of the event or project to the Dover office.

​

How to Apply:  Any Dover church or mission may apply.  To apply, the church or mission should fill out the grant application (see directly below if hyperlink does not work) on the Dover website, which includes:

• a.  A detailed plan or description of the project, including the cost and when the project will take place

• b.  The requested amount of the grant up to $1,000

• c.  AT LEAST ONE of the following: 1) Meeting Minutes from a church-wide meeting where the nomination of the ministry or organization took place 2) Most recent financial report documenting AN EXISTING funding relationship with the nominated ministry or organization 3) A brief letter signed by the church clerk, Board of Trustees, and/or other church officer(s) certifying that the nominating party(ies) is/are authorized to act on behalf of the church in its/his/her nomination, OR 4) Excerpt from church governing document (e.g. bylaws, constitution) that articulates that the nominating party is authorized to act on behalf of the church in its/his/her nomination regarding missions, ministries, and community outreach initiatives.

 

This Application must be completed in its entirety unless otherwise approved by the Church Collaboration Team.