Golden Cross Foundation Grants

• Fred and June Blankenship Grants for
  Individual Assistance 
  Available to United Methodist churches wishing to assist older adults in their church or community with personal and/or financial needs which neither the church nor the individual can fully fund. Grants are from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on need and are 50 percent matching grants.
• Church Retrofit Fund Grants
  Available to United Methodist churches or Tennessee Conference office/districts to make their facilities accessible to older adults so that they may fully participate in the activities of the church. The maximum amount of these grants is $10,000 and they are 50 percent matching grants.
• Older Adult Community Service Grants
  Available to United Methodist churches or Tennessee Conference office/districts and related agencies to do training, empowering, or advocacy around older adult issues as well as other grant applications that seek to serve and empower older adults in the Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church. The usual range of these grants is $1,000 to $10,000 and are usually 50 percent matching
• Golden Cross Disaster Relief Grants
  Available to United Methodist churches and agencies where disaster damage has significantly impacted the church or agency's ongoing older adult ministry. The maximum amount of these grants is $10,000 and they are 50 percent matching grants.
• Strategic Initiatives Grants (determined by GCF board)
  Offers funding for ministry and other initiatives serving the basic needs of older adults in the areas of nutrition, housing, transportation, and healthcare. Its flexible criteria allow board members to expand its boundaries for offering assistance. Options include partnering with organizations, individuals, or corporations to support larger projects or programs such as launching a feeding ministry or health screening program or creating housing opportunities. Starting in 2020, a total of $150,000 has been reserved for three years.

ENCORE Ministry Grants

• New Older Adult Ministry Program Grants
  Available to United Methodist Churches that do not presently have an active older adult ministry program and wish to start one. These grants are from $1,000 to $2,500. There is no match required for the first $1,000; 50 percent is required for additional amounts from $1,001 to $2,500.
• Growing Older Adult Ministry Program Grants
  Available to United Methodist Churches with existing older adult programs that wish to expand or branch out into new areas of ministry and lack the funds to do so. Grants are from $1,000 to $2,500 and are 50 percent matching.

• The ministry (program/project) must contribute directly to the mission and ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ and must be consistent with the doctrine and social principles of the United Methodist Book of Discipline.
• The ministry should focus on developing intentional, innovative, and creative ministries by, with, and for older adults.
• The Golden Cross Foundation is affiliated with the Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church. Grants are made to United Methodist churches and agencies and affiliated organizations in the Tennessee Conference as well as not-for-profit organizations which grew out of or have a current connection to a Tennessee Conference United Methodist church or agency.

Grant Application Approval

If your grant application is approved and funded, the church or agency will:

• Be notified by mail (email and/or phone call) no later than two weeks following the approval of your application.
• Be asked to sign and return a Grant Acceptance Agreement.
• Ensure the church or agency’s match for the grant is in hand prior to returning the Grant Acceptance Agreement.
• Receive a check for the full amount of the grant (unless other specific details are indicated upon grant approval).
• Be asked to evaluate the program/project within 12 months of receiving the grant award. This evaluation shall include photos of the ministry and at least a 500-word description/summary of the ministry or program.

Grant Evaluation

An evaluation report must be completed and submitted along with photos and supporting documents within 12 months of receiving grant funding from the Golden Cross Foundation. Download Grant Evaluation Form