General Information &
This grant program funds projects or programs supporting our community, with a focus on serving people at risk/the needy. This grant program does not fund projects for which people are not the primary beneficiaries. (For example, we do not fund animal welfare projects).
Grace Church issues calls for grant proposals semi-annually on or about May 1 and November 1.
Current grantees will be notified by their Grace Church liaison when the call for proposals has been released. The call for proposals is also posted on the Grace Church website and publicized in local media.
There is no fixed amount of funding or number of grants awarded each grant cycle. Grant funding is variable and derived exclusively from revenues generated by the Grace Church Yard Sale. A list of currently funded grantees can be found at: [URL]. 2024 Grantees
Grant funding is intended to provide support for a 6 to 12-month period. Requests for follow-on funding to support projects of longer duration require the submission of a new application. Approval of follow-on funding is contingent upon successful completion of previously funded activities and will be denied if mandatory progress reports are not timely submitted.
The Outreach Committee of Grace Church awards and administers all grants.
Applicants must:
- Be a tax exempt, non-profit organization in compliance with federal and state laws governing such organizations
- Address a need in the local community, i.e. Lancaster County, Northumberland County, Richmond County, or Middlesex County
- Have a significant volunteer component
- Appoint a contact person who represents the grant organization and is available to communicate with Grace Church as needed
The contact person representing the applicant or grantee is responsible for:
- Completing and signing the grant application
- Providing written progress reports (see page below) three months after grant award and at the completion of the project. (If follow-on funding is requested, this final report may be included as part of the proposal renewed funding).
- Making presentations at meetings with the Grace Church representative overseeing the grant and, if called for, the Grace Church Outreach Committee and/or Vestry
- Notifying Grace Church in the event that the applicant/grantee’s tax exempt status is in question, if any situation comes up that significantly impedes accomplishment of grant objectives, or if grant funds need to be reallocated for a purpose other than that stated in the application
- Signing financial documents provided by the grant organization with a representation that they are accurate to the best of his or her knowledge
By applying for and accepting grant funds, the applicant/grantee represents that its purpose and day-to-day operations are based on the principles of service to others, non-violence and fair and equal treatment of all persons, and that it is not an organization which engages in political advocacy. The applicant/grantee agrees that it will administer any funds it receives in the spirit of the Grace Church mission statement which states: “We are blessed by God’s grace and called to build a vibrant, growing congregation that shares the hope of the Gospel of Jesus and proclaims in word and deed the values of His Kingdom for people in our community and beyond, whom we are called to love and serve.”
Your project proposal must conform with the content requirements outlined in [link] (Grant Application Instructions & Online Submission Form)
You may submit your proposal using the Online Submission Form or send a Printed Copy through the U.S. Mail to:
If mailed, send to:
Grace Episcopal Church
Attn: Outreach Committee
PO Box 1059
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Progress Reports:
Progress reports are required twice during the period of performance of this grant. The first is due three months after the grant award and the second is due at completion of the project. The final report may be submitted as a stand-alone document or incorporated into the project proposal for follow-on funding. You may structure your progress report as you see fit so long as it provides a clear picture of the work you have accomplished and the impact this work has had on the community. The following are examples of the type of information that will facilitate our understanding of your work under this grant:
- A short summary of work completed to date
- How much progress have you made toward accomplishing the work outlined in your original proposal? Does the work seem to be progressing at the level and speed you anticipated or have you run into unexpected obstacles?
- How do you measure the success of your work? If possible, provide quantifiable measures for demonstrating the impact your work has on the community
- If there are partner organizations with whom you collaborate, have these partnerships proven effective? Please explain
- Have you built new partnerships that facilitate the work or identified new funding sources to support it?
- What have your expenditures been to date? How much of the original funding for this project has been expended? Do you anticipate the need for additional funding to sustain this effort after the grant funding period is over?
- If possible, we’d welcome photos, anecdotes, testimonials or other materials that demonstrates the impact this project has had on our community