GRANT PROGRAM 

General Information

The Intentional Growth Center is an agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors.

Eligibility Requirements

The Intentional Growth Center empowers those in ministry. Grants are awarded to non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organizations and ministries. 

It is our hope that ministries and programs supported by the IGC grants will become sustainable over time. Recipients should expect that repeat applications for the same ministry and/or program will decrease accordingly. Please be sure to be clear if a ministry and/or program is related to a new initiative in your grant application. 

Grant Cycles

As the Intentional Growth Center seeks to empower those in ministry, applications for grant funding will be made available by November 1 annually. The deadline for the 2024 grant cycle has passed. Check back for information for grants in 2025.

Grant Making Priorities

The IGC seeks to fund educational events or programs that increase pastoral and congregational effectiveness in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 

Preference is given to projects that meet one or more of these funding priorities:

  1. First priority is given to United Methodist Churches and UMC para-ministries located in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

  2. Ministries and programs that strengthen church leadership (lay or clergy), especially those that train leaders for collaborative, community-based ministry in the settings where the leaders live.

  3. Ministries and programs that strengthen Christian discipleship, music, worship, or the church’s witness and innovation across the community.

  4. Ministries and programs that meet a special need are not commonly addressed by other organizations.

  5. Ministries and programs affiliated with Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

  6. Ministries and programs that draw diverse audiences (with regard to age, race, gender, orientation, identity, socioeconomic status, etc.) to Lake Junaluska.

  7. Both virtual and in-person ministries and programs will be given consideration.