First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

First Congregational United Church of Christ
Elgin, Illinois

Mission Statement

Our church is a welcoming, inclusive community of believers in
Jesus Christ who live and share God's unconditional love.

Through the identification and use of our diverse gifts,
we fulfill a mission of reconciliation, love, service to the church, community and world,
education and spiritual growth, fellowship, sharing the word,
social responsibility and stewardship.

Through the generosity and thoughtfulness of others, the endowment fund of First Congregational United Church of Christ has some means to help fulfill this mission. In working to be good stewards of this money, we are seeking members and organizations that have programs with a similar philosophy. The Endowment Committee will consider programs/projects for grants which are administered by either religious or secular organizations. The total of all grants will be approximately $90,000. We ask that the programs/projects relate to our focus issues for the current year: children's initiatives (programs that enhance the lives of children), peace (programs that seek to resolve conflict among nations), shelter (programs that provide for the needs of the abused, economically disadvantaged,or homeless).

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GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIZATIONS OR PROGRAMS SEEKING GRANTS

1. Applications are to be submitted to the Endowment Committee by November 1of any given year. The Committee will review the requests and notification will be made by mail following the church's Annual Meeting in late January.
2. If a request is submitted by an individual member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, it must have the endorsement of a Ministry or the Church Council of FCC.
3. Please remember that NO endowment funds may be used to support the church budget except in dire circumstances and by two-thirds vote of the congregation.
4. The Endowment Committee will select areas of focus, which reflect First Congregational United Church of Christ's Mission and Ministry beyond its Annual Operating Budget. These€ focus areas will be reviewed from year to year.
5. All requests will be evaluated in the light of FCC's Mission Statement and its theological understandings of mission.
6. A balance will be sought between church, local and wider church projects.
7. The committee will seek to limit the funding of organizations and projects to no more than three consecutive annual grants.

Grant Application

First Congregational United Church of Christ
256 E. Chicago Street
Elgin , Illinois 60120
(847) 741-4045