Parish Ministry Grants

Geographic Scope: Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, New York

Purpose: Help local churches in the Diocese of Long Island fund outreach ministry, grow in sustainability, and cultivate the gifts necessary to live out their ministry calling, both practically and spiritually.

Funding Amounts

• Individual congregation programs: Up to $15,000
• Multi-congregation or deanery programs: Up to $20,000

Eligibility Requirements

• Ministry must be affiliated with a Parish, Mission, or Deanery within the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island
• Ministry must have dedicated coordinators and/or a committee that supports the program through personal involvement
• Ministry must have the enthusiastic support of clergy and lay leaders within the congregation
• Parish must demonstrate financial commitment to the ministry
• Grants are designed to fund the launch of new ministries and programs, or the expansion of existing ones
• Parishes may apply again for rejected applications or to renew funding for ministries with appropriate need

Ineligible Uses

• Payments on existing debt
• Deferred maintenance or capital expenses (although improvements to the facility for specific mission program purposes will be considered)

Requirements for Award Recipients

• Certify that funds will be used for intended ministry
• Contact EMLI for approval if unforeseen circumstances require substantial change in use of funds
• Return unused grant funds at end of funding cycle or demonstrate how they will be used to maintain or enhance the ministry's effort
• Submit a Progress Report within 12 months from when grant funds were received
• Provide detailed accounting of how grant funds were spent, with adequate documentation (receipts, payroll registers, etc.), if requested
• Include acknowledgement of funding from Episcopal Ministries of Long Island on any promotional literature pertaining to the ministry program
• Collaborate with EMLI's Communications Manager to share stories of work to inform and engage constituents

Contact Information

Address: 36 Cathedral Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
Contact Person: Director of Programs (specific name not provided)

Application Approach

Applicants are encouraged to discern, through prayer and active listening, the needs and hopes of their neighbors, recognizing the gifts already present in their communities. EMLI invites parishes to partner in developing ministries that are sustainable and transformative and to collaborate with community organizations and the wider faith community.

How to Apply

Step 1: Reach Out Early

• Contact the Director of Programs before or during the application process for assistance
• Do not wait to get in touch, even if only thinking about applying
• The application process is approachable and accessible

Step 2: Required Materials
Applicants must gather and complete the following:

1. Grant Application Form (fillable PDF document)
   • Outline the goals of your parish ministry
   • Tell EMLI more about the work you plan to do
   • Helps identify community needs
   • Assess strengths and challenges
   • Encourage intentional stewardship of ministry resources
2. Budget Template (available in Excel and Google Sheets format)
   • Tool to inform EMLI how financial resources will be allocated
   • Shows purposeful use of ministry resources
   • Include detailed accounting of planned expenditures

Step 3: Preparation

• Review all application materials
• Engage in prayer and active listening to discern community needs
• Involve clergy and lay leadership in planning
• Demonstrate parish financial commitment

Step 4: Submission

• Submit completed Grant Application Form
• Include completed Budget Template
• Contact Director of Programs with any questions

Note: If your ministry is already an EMLI grantee, use Grant Renewal materials instead of the standard application form.