Terms of Reference

Available Funds
Up to $4,000 expended from the fund annually.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Discipleship and Justice Commission.

1) Approved applications be forwarded to the Treasurer and Executive Minister for payment and tracking.
2) The Discipleship and Justice Commission will report annually, starting in 2021, to the regional council on how the funds have supported post-secondary chaplaincy in Kitchener-Waterloo.
3) The purpose of the fund will be reviewed in spring 2025 to determine the future of any unspent balance.

Criteria
To support ministry that connects with the students attending Kitchener-Waterloo post-secondary institutions.

Procedure
1) Invite applications from communities of faith in Kitchener Waterloo for this ministry;
2) Applications to be received and approved by the Discipleship and Justice Commission
3) Approved applications to be forwarded to the Treasurer and Executive Minister for payment and tracking.

 

Terms of Reference

Available Funds
The balance of the account to be topped up to $30,000 in November of each year for the following year.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Executive.

Criteria
To provide financial assistance for learning events for lay leaders and ministry personnel within Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council to help recipients grow in leadership so they can assist their communities of faith in connecting, supporting and transforming their mission and ministry.

Grants will be limited to one-third (1/3) of the associated costs of a learning event, to a limit of five hundred dollars ($500), including any associated travel costs.
(While Communities of Faith are encouraged to invest in educating their leaders, there is no expectation that the Community of Faith and applicant must share the remaining costs equally). (See: Learning Grants Fund Application for detailed criteria and application procedure)

Terms of Reference

Available funds
Maximum of $65 000 to be granted annually.

Granting Body and Oversight
Discipleship and Justice Commission, WOWRC (Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council).
The Discipleship and Justice Commission will report annually, starting in 2021, to the regional council on how the funds have supported ministry with children, youth and young adults.

Criteria
Ministry with children, youth and young adults.
1) Grants will normally be one-time grants to a maximum of $10,000;
2) Grants in excess of this amount or for a multi-year project will require the applicant to meet with the Discipleship and Justice Commission.

Procedure
Applications to be submitted to the Discipleship and Justice Commission.
The Discipleship and Justice Commission will design the application form as best suits their needs.

Grant Payment
Approval will be forwarded to the WOWRC Treasurer and Executive Minister for payment and tracking.

Terms of Reference

Available Funds
A ministry preparation fund with two streams, each of which will be topped up annually in November to a minimum balance of $30,000.

Granting Body and Oversight
Stream One: WOWRC Congregational Support Commission
The Congregational Support Commission advises the Treasurer and Executive Minister for payment and record-keeping.

Stream Two: WOWRC Executive Minister and Treasurer.
The Executive Minister and Treasurer will confirm candidacy status and school enrollment with the Office of Vocation.

Criteria

Stream One: Support for Ministry Education Sites
Communities of Faith needing financial assistance to provide a ministry education experience for a candidate.

Stream Two: Support for Candidates
Candidates pursuing theological studies in a recognized United Church of Canada

Procedure
Stream One: Support for Ministry Education Sites
1. Communities of Faith needing financial assistance to provide a ministry education experience for a candidate make application through the Congregational Support Commission;
2. The Congregational Support Commission advises the Treasurer and Executive Minister for payment and record-keeping.

Stream Two: Support for Candidates
1) Bursary provided in the amount of $2,000 per year for a maximum of three years for candidates pursuing theological studies in a recognized United Church program.
2) Applications to be made to the Executive Minister: mlaird@united-church.ca and Treasurer: gbcaslick@gmail.com who will confirm candidacy status and school enrollment with the Office of Vocation.

*A candidate is expected to seek support only from either the regional council out of which they
became a candidate or the regional council in which they
serve, but not from both

–  MINISTRY PREPARATION FUND (Stream 2 application)

Terms of Reference

Available funds
Maximum of $9 000 to be granted annually, $3 000 of which is reserved for LLWL initiatives.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Executive.
The Executive to report annually, starting in 2021, to the regional council on how the funds have supported rural ministry leadership.

Criteria
Licenced Lay Worship Leader (LLWL) leadership, and rural ministry.

1) Up to 30% of the annual grants will be made available for LLWL leadership training;
2) Resource opportunities focused on rural ministries.

Procedure
Applications to be submitted to the WOWRC Executive. The application form will be designed for events to which communities of faith with a rural postal code can apply.

 

 

Terms of Reference

Available Funds
Maximum of $7 000 to be granted annually.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Congregational Support Commission
• Grants will be allocated based on needs identified by a Community of Faith and/or the
Congregational Support Commission.

Criteria
• To be used by the Congregational Support Commission to facilitate educational
events/workshops/learning opportunities for multiple communities of faith.
• Communities of Faith: Can apply for a matching grant of up to $2,000 for a multi-church
educational event/workshop/learning opportunity.

Procedure
Applications to be completed by a Community of Faith and submitted to the WOWRC Congregational
Support Commission.

 

Terms of Reference

Available Funds
Will accept 3 requests per year. Each request will be given a 3-year plan.  When new money comes into the Property Fund the Executive will assess if funds need to be added to the Clergy Salary Fund.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Executive
The Executive to report annually to the Regional Council on how the funds have supported communities of faith maintaining or increasing their ministry time.

Criteria

1. A) To be given to communities of faith who are looking to increase their ministry hours (example from .25 to .5).
2. B) To be given to communities of faith who can show that they will not be able to maintain their current ministry hrs moving forward.
3. C) If the congregation disbands within 3 years of receiving the final grant, then the entire 3-year grant is to be repaid to the regional property fund from the proceeds of the sale of the building before any disbursements are made

Three-year plan:

For the first year the Fund will grant 50% of the cost increase for the increased ministry hours.

The second year will be 30% and the third year will be 20%.

For both A and B the community of faith needs to provide to the Executive their plan for being able to continue with the level of ministry both during and after the funding has finished.

Once the three-year cycle is complete that community of faith is ineligible for this fund for another 3 years. The Community of faith will need to report to the Executive annually how the funding has helped make a difference for their ministry.

Procedure
Applications to be completed by a Community of Faith and submitted to the WOWRC Executive.

 

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Terms of Reference

Available Funds
Available funds per year: maximum of $50,000 in total with a maximum of $10,000 per application. When new money comes into the Property Fund the Executive will assess if funds need to be added to the Congregational Legacy Fund.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Executive
The Executive to report annually to the Regional Council on how the funds have supported new community of faith initiatives

Criteria
To be given to communities of faith who are looking to expand their ministry, or create something new within their ministry.

Procedure
Applications to be completed by a Community of Faith and submitted to the WOWRC Executive.

 

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Terms of Reference

Available Funds
Bridging Loans and Matching Grants to a Maximum of $50,000.  The fund must contain $150,000 to start the next calendar year, provided funds are available from the sale of church property.

Granting Body and Oversight
WOWRC Executive
The Executive to report annually to the Regional Council on how the funds have supported communities of faith with bridging loans or matching grants for debt reduction.

Criteria

1. Bridge financing loans, to a max of $50,000 at 4% interest to be paid back on a 3-year term, repayment begins after 6 months, those 6 months at 0% interest.
2. Matching Grants up to $50,000 given to communities of faith who hold a capital fundraiser to help pay off debt.
3. A CoF can apply for a matching grant once every 3 years.
4. If the congregation disbands within 3 years of receiving a matching grant, then the grant is to be repaid to the regional property fund from the proceeds of the sale of the building before any disbursements are made.

Procedure
Applications to be completed by a Community of Faith and submitted to the WOWRC Executive.

Loan Payment
Approval will be forwarded to the Executive Minister and Treasurer for payment and tracking.

 

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Capital Assistance Grants for Development/Redevelopment 

All PTCC grants require prior WOWRC Executive approval. Please complete the below form and WOWRC Exec will look at it at their next regular scheduled meeting to then forward along to PTCC.  All decisions on grant approvals are ultimately done by PTCC.

Funding amounts for Capital Assistance Grants range from 5%-20% of the available capital funds help by PTCC, an amount up to the total amount requested in this application form may be approved depending on the current capital funds.  If you would like to know the maximum allowed to request, please email Executive Minister Mark Laird at mlaird@united-church.ca

(One application per grant form, please)

• Grants for development/redevelopment refers to the work of any congregation or congregations working together on a major project to redevelop property or programs to meet the needs of the community they serve. This could include but not be limited to amalgamation, specialized ministries such as youth, seniors, and community ministries, and it may or may not involve a major property development project.
• A grant under this program is available for a major church development/redevelopment project supported by the Regional Council that has been approved by the executive of the Regional Council, which meets the notice requirements of PTCC, and is supported by documentation in sufficient detail for the Board of PTCC to be able to assess and approve the grant application.
• A major church development/redevelopment project grant request in this grant category (a 10% or 20% request) is limited to one-time financial support for that project.
• Up to Six (6) month’s notice may be required for payment of a capital grant depending on amount requested to lessen potential losses in PTCC investments due to early liquidation.
• A grant request of no more than 20% of capital shall be subject to the capital loss provisions described in Article 3.12 of the 2010 Operating Agreement.
• Grant cheques will be mailed to the “payee” after approval by the Board of Directors but will be subject to the timing of funds being available.  The first draw may not be available until six (6) months after the approval of the grant request, or in accordance with the funding requirements of the Project.

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New Ministries and Leadership Development Fund

All PTCC grants require prior WOWRC Executive approval. Please complete the below form and WOWRC Exec will look at it at their next regular scheduled meeting to then forward along to PTCC.  All decisions on grant approvals are ultimately done by PTCC.

(One application per grant form, please)

 Funding limits

• Per annum maximum grants are as follows:
• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: up to $50k for a group project per annum
• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: up to $10k for an individual’s project per annum
• NEW MINISTRIES: up to $100k for a project per annum
• Time Frames
• Initial proposals may be made for terms up to 30 months
• For extensions of funding, applications must be made one year before the ending of the current commitment
• The term for extensions of funding may be made for up to an additional two years
• For new multi-year programs, initial funding will be for a feasibility or testing phase of no more than 30 months including an evaluation of the viability of the project undertaken in the 18 to 24 month period.  In the event that the project is judged not to be viable or not likely to achieve its aims, funding will be terminated as soon as possible, but there will be no funding beyond the 30^th month
• Renewable funding extensions for a total of up to eight years which indicates a potential total maximum funding for 10½ years
• In longer term projects, grant funding will decline over time

 

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