Chalice Lighter Grants
The purpose of the Ballou Channing District (BCD) Chalice Lighters program is to raise money for grants to assist congregations in developing and implementing plans to promote growth and membership retention. Projects might include support of professional ministerial or religious education staffing, renovation or expansion of facilities, or funding of special programs for start-up and membership growth activities.
The funds for the grants are raised by donations from individuals from within our district. These special contributors are called Chalice Lighters. Chalice Lighters pledge to give at least $10 up to three times a year, when a "Call" goes out for a specific project. Each Chalice Lighter will receive a direct letter asking for his or her pledged contribution when a "Call" is made.
You can become a Chalice Lighter and support Unitarian Universalism in the Ballou Channing District using the following form to the BCD office.
Policies and Procedures
The following "Interim Policy and Procedures" for the BCD Chalice Lighter program were adopted Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Updates to follow later this Summer.
Purpose:
Chalice Lighter grants are intended to support BCD congregations by providing funds for:
• Leadership development,
• Programs, projects, capital improvements, and/or staffing to promote congregational growth
• Enhancing connections among UU institutions.
Eligibility:
BCD congregations and partnerships of two or more BCD congregations are eligible for
Chalice Lighter grants.
Funding:
• Grants awarded in the past have ranged in amount up to about $4,000.
• Money for the grants comes from individuals within the district’s congregations who are called Chalice Lighters because they promise to send $10 when the district calls for Chalice Lighters to give. There may be up to three calls for giving during the calendar year so each Chalice Lighter’s commitment is to give up to $30 a year. Chalice Lighters will be contacted directly by the BCD office about calls for giving. The number of calls depends on the number of applications.
Process:
• Congregations(s) may download an application from the BCD’s website at
www.bcd.org, complete it and send it to the BCD office at any time.
• The Chalice Lighter Committee will consider and make recommendations concerning applications on a timely basis in advance of regular meetings of the BCD Board.
• Congregations that receive a grant must report on their project’s progress within 12 months of the award and are expected to report annually on the results of their work until the grant is all spent.
Criteria for Award
The BCD Board of Directors will make grant awards based on:
1. Likelihood the proposed project or program will revitalize and/or expand the congregation(s).
2. Strength of the application in terms of support within the congregation(s) in time and money and number of people involved and the level of ambition of the project.
3. Number of requests received. If there are many only the strongest will be considered for funding.
4. The applicant’s Annual Program Giving and number of Chalice Lighters will be considered but will not be determinative.
You can be a Chalice Lighter.
Individuals may become Chalice Lighters by signing up on-line on the district’s website or by
enrollment within their congregations at any time or as a result of the annual appeal by the district
for new Chalice Lighters. The appeal will go out from the district in the late fall. It is hoped that
Congregational leaders will see the value of the program to the Unitarian Universalist movement and
encourage all or many of their members to participate. Ours is a grassroots movement: the only help
is self help.
Funded Projects 2003 - 2011
· Seed money to hire first Music Director, Foxboro Universalist Church
· Preliminary architectural plans for new building, First Universalist Church of Franklin
· Seed money for organ restoration, Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth
· Handicapped accessibility project (ramp and lift chair), First Parish Church in Taunton
· Religious education program outreach/advertising project, First Unitarian Church, New Bedford
· Handicapped accessibility project (stairs and elevator), Unity Church, North Easton
· Assist purchase of furniture for new religious education space, First Universalist Church of Franklin
· Purchase radio ads on Cape Cod, Cape & Island Growth Council
· Mission Outreach Grants project (fund for small grants), Ballou Channing District
· Start-up funds for Youth Program Coordinator, Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven
· Handicapped accessibility project, Second Congregational Meeting House, Nantucket
· Handicapped Accessibility Grants (several small grants), Ballou Channing District
· Website design workshops & assistance. Cape & Island Growth Council
· Research for new congregation start, Ballou Channing District
· Assist with renovation of religious education facilities, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County and Universalist Unitarian Church, Brockton
· Assistance for a congregation web site redesign, Unity Church North Easton and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth
· Elevator (lift chair) accessibility project, Bell Street Chapel
· Handicapped accessibility as part of renovation project, First Parish Brewster