GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
Grant Requests
Grant requests are accepted from Gospel-based 501(c)3 ministries recommended by our current members. Following the grant application deadline of August 1st, our Grant Review Committee vets, summarizes, and presents finalists to the general membership for a vote. Our yearly grants per applicant average $7,000.00.
The Giving Circle funds Christian organizations that further the Great Commission
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20
Our desire is to fund projects that include a Giving Circle difference.
We want to step in and help ministries when they have a specific project that needs to be funded that was unexpected or that they do not have budget to complete. We prefer for the projects funded to impact more than a few people and to assist the ministry in reaching their goal of spreading the Gospel.
- We do not plan to fund projects focused on building improvements related to a building that the ministry does not currently own.
- We willl not fund non-project related salaries or operating costs.
- It is not our priority to fund building or property improvements projects. These types of grant applications will be considered on an individual basis.
- We do not plan to fund projects that include individual scholaships but if a project is focused on offering financial assistance to a group of students or campers, etc we will consider it for review.
Our Ministries of Interest
Some ministries of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- Children & Youth
- Discipleship
- Education
- Evangelism
- Families
- Healthcare
- Homeless
- Hunger
- New & Emerging Ministries
- Prisoners
- Women & their families
How to Apply for a Grant
HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT General Grant Application Guidelines: Ministries who have received a grant for two consecutive years must abstain for one year before re-applying to The Giving Circle. The proposal should be double-spaced and single-sided on 8.5" x 11" plain white paper, standard font size no smaller than 12 point. All pages of the application must be sequentially numbered. Submit two complete copies, each in a white binder. Grant applications are to be received by AUGUST 1 . (Late submissions/incomplete application binders will not be considered).
Step 1: Grant Application Procedures
1. Complete the Grant Request Form (download attached PDF above).
Complete the highlighted fields, save and print
2. Complete the Project Description Form (download attached PDF above). Complete the highlighted fields, save and print.
3. Complete the Membership Grant Recommendation Form (download attached PDF above). Have recommending member fill-out form and return to YOU for you to include in the application packet.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
1. Copy of the 501(c)(3) determination letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the current legal name or umbrella organization showing you are not a private foundation
2. Financial information:
- complete itemized budget and projected revenues for the project
- copy of organization's current operating budget
- copy of most recent financial statement to be attached
- most recently submitted IRS Form 990
3. List of names and professional affiliations of your Board of Directors.
4. List of staff and positions, along with email addresses.
5. Copy of your organization’s brochure, newsletter, and annual report, if available.
6. Include a completed TGC Grant Recommendation Form (see PDF above).
Step 3: Prepare Application Binder
Assemble all documents for application submission:
- Cover Page (project name, organization name, amount requested, contact info)
- Table of Contents***
- Grant Request Form
- Project Description Form
- Member's Grant Recommendation Form
- Mission Statement with summary and details of project
- Supporting Documents (outlined in Step Two)
*** Please list the items above in order, include in a table of contents and attach them in binder.
Step 4: Mail* Completed Application Binder
The Giving Circle
Attn: Marla Esterling
230 Prospect Ave
Franklin, TN 37064
Questions? EMAIL: mywhippets@comcast.net
*Or DELIVER completed application to the above address.
Thank you!
Step 5: Review Process
You will receive an email confirming that your application was received. During the review process, members of the Grant Review Committee will research your request through telephone inquiries, emails, meetings or site visits. They may speak with your staff and/or board members.
Applications that do not provide all required information will not be considered.
The Grant Review Committee vets, summarizes and presents finalists to the general membership for a vote. Grant recipients will be notified by November 15th of the given year. All grant recipients will be invited to share their story at our Grateful Giving gathering in November. Details will be shared when notified of awarded grant.
For accountability purposes, all grant recipients will be required to submit a Project Evaluation Form, which is due JULY 1 of the following year. Details on this report will accompany the grant award.