DioSWVA Millennium Development Goals Grant Program and Application

Addressing world mission

Funding creative ideas that address world mission is the fundamental purpose of the Millennium Development Goals Grant Program. What can your parish do with up to $500 in seed money to impact hunger in Kenya, infant mortality in Honduras or bring clean water to the people of Haiti?

Challenged by both our Bishop and Presiding Bishop to find ways to alleviate severe poverty, the MDG committee turned to its most creative source -- the people of the diocese of Southwestern Virginia. As a result, schools were started, the poor fed and the loving touch of this diocese was felt around the world.

Think globally, creatively and caringly

Now it's your turn to think globally, creatively and caringly. Become the parable of the talents and grow a mustard seed sized grant into a mighty outreach effort that impacts the hearts of people. Apply for a portion of the diocesan0.7% set aside for MDG grants, and challenge the assumption that your parish cannot have an impact on world poverty.

Grants will be awarded throughout the year, continuing until the funds are exhausted by great ideas that meet the needs of the world’s people. Preference will be given to projects that include a dollar for dollar matching grant. MDG Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with a $500 cap per project.

Previous empowerment efforts

During its inaugural year, MDG Grants helped Christ Church, Blacksburg construct a schoolhouse in the Kadugli Diocese of Southern Sudan, the least educated nation on earth with only 2% of the present population having completed primary school. At St. Luke, Pedlar Mills, an MDG grant paid for a fence to protect a garden where vegetables are grown and sold to raise money for world mission. St. James, Roanoke provided sanitaryfacilities for a communityin Sudan, while St. John's, Roanoke addressed maternal andneonatal health issues in Zebilla, Ghana with a grant.

What is God calling you and your parish to do?

DIOCESE OF SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA GRANTS APPLICATION FORM

Name of Parish: ______

Date of application: ______

Address of Parish: ______

Parish email: ______Phone: ______

Parish contact for grant: ______

Contact email: ______

Contact phone: ______

1. Briefly describe your project:

2. Which of the Millennium Development Goals will this project address?

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

3. Who will benefit from this project?

4. How does the Parish intend to match this grant dollar for dollar?

5. Are you requesting seed money for a new project or support for an existing project?

6. What effect do you think this project will have on your Parish in terms of interest in the MDGs?

Amount requested: ______

______I will send an accounting of the grant money by December 31, 2010 including a short article which may be used in diocesan communications and at Council (please initial).

* * *

Thank you for applying for a grant. Your interest shows that your parish is involved and interested in making the MDGs a reality, not only for our neighbors in the developing world, but for your parishioners. If you have any questions about the grant, please contact David Dixon (), Nina Salmon () or Jenny Fife ().

Grants will be awarded beginning in February after Annual Council designates the money (0.7 % of the Diocesan budget) and will continue throughout the year until the funds are gone. Decisions will be made by the MDG Committee on how well the project addresses the MDGs and generates parish interest. We will assign a liaison from the MDG Committee to work with you and to answer questions. Grants up to $500 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Deadline for submitting grants is December 1, 2010.

Please send your completed application to Lynn Robertson at Evans House, . //