Our grants will be approved upon submission of the appropriate documents. The ideas are voluminous, and there is a lot of work ahead to apply for and receive the following grants.
These are real, currently published opportunities that fit a new church plant or ministry, outreach to the homeless and shut-ins, counseling, a safe quiet space, youth and children’s programs, faith-based media production, and technology for churches. Links were checked; eligibility varies—read each funder’s rules.
Offered through various grant opportunities within these programs.
Only opportunities open to applicants in the greater Los Angeles area (national programs open to California, California-wide, or LA-region).
Funder: Lilly Endowment Inc.
Amount: Planning grants up to $50,000; implementation up to $5 million (invited)
Deadline: Concept papers due January 19, 2027
Verified link
Funder: North American Mission Board (NAMB) Send Network
Amount: Customized planter support (varies by context)
Deadline: Ongoing via Send Network / Send Me portal
Verified link
Funder: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (Lilly Endowment funded)
Amount: $8,000–$25,000
Deadline: Applications open July 15, 2026; due October 15, 2026
Verified link
Funder: Louisville Institute
Amount: Up to $20,000
Deadline: August 12, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT)
Verified link
Funder: Louisville Institute
Amount: Up to $55,000
Deadline: September 2, 2026
Verified link
Funder: ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
Amount: $1,000–$10,000
Deadline: Opens August 7, 2026; due October 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Verified link
Funder: UMC Young People's Ministries / Discipleship Ministries
Amount: Up to $15,000
Deadline: Stage 1 opens January; closes April 15 (annual cycle)
Verified link
Funder: Thrivent
Amount: Up to $250 seed funding per project (Community Impact Card)
Deadline: Ongoing year-round (benefit members: up to 2/year)
Verified link
Funder: Partners for Sacred Places + National Trust for Historic Preservation
Amount: Planning up to $20,000; capital $50,000–$500,000 (1:1 match)
Deadline: Annual cycle; watch fundforsacredplaces.org for next open window
Verified link
Funder: Baptist Foundation of California
Amount: Project grants for CSBC-affiliated churches (priority to first-time applicants)
Deadline: January 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027
Verified link
Funder: Brotherhood Mutual Foundation
Amount: Share of ~$150,000 annual pool for creative community ministry
Deadline: 2027 cycle opens January 4, 2027; due March 31, 2027
Verified link
Funder: Foundation for Evangelism
Amount: Local-church grants historically up to $5,000–$10,000; cohorts open toward future cycles
Deadline: See open-grant-cycles page for current Fall cohort / next grant window
Verified link
Funder: California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation
Amount: Typical awards $500–$2,000
Deadline: 2026 cycle closed March 4, 2026; watch CPUMF.org for next cycle
Verified link
Funder: UMCOR / Global Ministries
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Rolling, first-come first-served for congregation-led local migrant/refugee projects
Verified link
Funder: ELCA World Hunger
Amount: Up to $10,000/year for up to 3 years
Deadline: LOI historically April 15–July 1; invited full proposals Oct–Dec; awards Jan
Verified link
Funder: Presbyterian Mission Agency (PCUSA)
Amount: Seed up to $10,000; later Investment/Growth up to $30,000 with match
Deadline: Through [email protected]; national process renewing for 2027
Verified link
Funder: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Amount: Varies by program (scholarships, NWC, mission)
Deadline: See directory for each program’s next cycle
Verified link
Funder: Lilly Endowment Inc.
Amount: Varies by invitation / RFP (major religion grants)
Deadline: Follow current RFPs listed for grantseekers
Verified link
Funder: Lilly Endowment Inc.
Amount: Varies by initiative
Deadline: See Religion page for active initiatives and RFPs
Verified link
Funder: John Templeton Foundation
Amount: Varies (research / Religion, Science & Society areas)
Deadline: See grant calendar; next major cycle guidance expected 2027
Verified link
Funder: John Templeton Foundation
Amount: Varies by funding area
Deadline: See published OFI / full-proposal dates on calendar
Verified link
Funder: Lake Institute on Faith & Giving (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy)
Amount: Education / capacity (pathway to stronger fundraising & grant readiness)
Deadline: Ongoing programs and cohorts
Verified link
Funder: Faith and Giving
Amount: Capacity and stewardship resources supporting grant readiness
Deadline: Ongoing
Verified link
Funder: Partners for Sacred Places
Amount: Training program ($2,000–$2,100 congregation fee) building fundraising capacity
Deadline: Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 cohorts (waitlist); watch for next open registration
Verified link
Funder: Mustard Seed Foundation
Amount: Project grants for new church-supported initiatives (rolling review)
Deadline: Rolling; staff review monthly; trustee meetings spring/fall
Verified link
Funder: California Community Foundation (Los Angeles)
Amount: Varies by program
Deadline: See open competitive opportunities on CCF site
Verified link
Funder: Weingart Foundation
Amount: Varies
Deadline: See current application process on Weingart site
Verified link
Funder: County of Los Angeles
Amount: Varies by opportunity
Deadline: See current solicitations on the County site
Verified link
Funder: City of Los Angeles
Amount: Varies by program
Deadline: See current City funding notices
Verified link
Funder: Liberty Hill Foundation
Amount: Varies by program
Deadline: See current grant programs on Liberty Hill site
Verified link
Funder: California Community Foundation
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Ongoing / program-specific
Verified link
