Purpose: To make possible the initial development of congregation-based health and wellness ministries serving people in the congregation and local community.

Eligibility: Any Lutheran congregation developing a new ministry of health and hope within the guidelines listed below may apply.

Grant Amount: This is a one-time one-year grant.  The maximum grant is $2,000 per individual congregation.  Collaborative efforts involving two or more congregations may be eligible for a maximum of $6,000.  The amount granted must be matched by sponsoring congregation.

Grants Awarded: Grants will be approved in November.

Key Components and Related Criteria

Focus - Priority will be given to proposals that address one of the following issues:

• Child/Youth obesity (prevention, education, exercise, nutrition, etc.)
• Initial development of a congregation Health Ministry Program (establishment of a health ministry cabinet and the development of initial plans and activities related to helping the congregation claim its role as a resource for health and healing ministry touching the lives of people in the congregation and community.)

New - the focus of the Health and Hope grant is on new congregation-based health ministries.

Feasibility - The proposal is based on realistic goals and action plans and holds the promise of continuing growth and development.

Congregation and Community - The project must promote and address the health and well-being of people both within the congregation and in the local community.

Supervision - The project must have the approval of the congregation's leadership and be developed under the auspices of a congregation health committee or cabinet.  NOTE:  A good resource for developing a congregation health committee is The Health Cabinet, available through the International Parish Nurse Resource Center (314.918.2559).

Congregation Match - The amount awarded through the Health and Hope grant must be matched by the sponsoring congregation(s).

Sharing and Learning - Leaders are willing to share with Wheat Ridge Ministries information about the project and what is learned during its development.  This includes providing progress reports to the Wheat Ridge Ministries staff.

Appropriate Use of the Health And Hope Grant:

The grant is to be used specifically for new health ministry efforts sponsored by the congregation.  Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in a variety of efforts designed to promote and address "whole person health," including:

• Health Education and Leadership Development;
• Staff Training;
• Planning;
• Materials, resources, or equipment directly related to program development;
• Contract services or salary for new staff specifically related to the development of the program described in the grant request.

The grant is not to be used for:

• Existing staff salaries;
• Congregation or school building programs;
• General church or school expenses.

Application Procedure:

• Consider whether the Health and Hope grant could be used appropriately by your congregation.
• If so, receive the Congregation Health and Hope Grant proposal format from Wheat Ridge Ministries (800.762.6748) or download.
• Contact the Wheat Ridge Ministries office if you have any questions or if you need clarification regarding the requirement or the process.
• Complete the proposal format and return to Wheat Ridge Ministries by the October 31st deadline.