Origin of the Grant Program
On the 10th anniversary of Comfort My People: A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness (2008), recognizing its continued relevance to the church and society, the 223rd General Assembly (2018) established a two-year Mental Health Initiative with funding for a $250,000 grant program spread over 2019–20 to empower Presbyterian congregations, mid councils and seminaries to carry out mental health ministry.
Purpose of the Grant Program
This grant program provides “seed money” for Presbyterian congregations, mid councils and seminaries to initiate or advance mental health ministries that educate, equip and empower churches to reach out to and with people living with mental health conditions and their loved ones:
- To expand mental health awareness, understanding of mental health issues and advocacy for mental health services.
- To eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness, especially serious mental illnesses.
- To become more welcoming, inclusive and supportive faith communities for people living with mental health conditions.
Priority will be given to funding projects with the widest potential impact that fulfill one or more of the Comfort My People Action Recommendations for congregations, mid councils and seminaries adopted by the 223rd General Assembly.
Applying to the Grant Program
Before starting your application, you are encouraged to read through the application form and all supplemental documents found below:
- Applicant’s Guide
- Grant Application Form (fillable PDF form) (Word Doc Version)
- Comfort My People Action Recommendations for Congregations, Mid-Councils, and Seminaries adopted by the 223rd GA (2018)
- Tips for Writing a Strong Grant Proposal
- Description of Projects Awarded Grants in Cycle 1 of 2, 2019
All grant applicants must be Presbyterian entities. Individuals are not eligible to apply. To facilitate the widest impact and sharing of good project ideas, congregations applying for grants are expected to share the grant application with their presbytery and seek an endorsement letter for the project.
Completed applications can b submitted by email or mailed to:
Presbyterian Mental Health Ministry Grant Program
Attn: Donna Miller, Associate for Mental Health Ministry
Compassion, Peace & Justice Ministry
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
email: Donna.Miller@pcusa.org“
Grant Processing Timeline
Grant applications will be received year-round for the duration of the two-year grant program. As soon as an application is confirmed as “complete” (i.e., a completed application form with required documentation has been received), it will be assigned to the next meeting of the Grant Application Review Committee, which meets quarterly.
Upcoming Mental Health Ministry Grant Application Submission Deadlines:
- March 16 2020 for review in April 2020
- June 22 2020 for review in July 2020
For more information, to confirm subsequent deadlines or to obtain a hard copy set of Grant Application Materials, please contact either:
Donna Miller, Associate for Mental Health Ministry
donna.miller@pcusa.org
Lacey Gilliam, Mission Specialist
lacey.gilliam@pcusa.org
