How much funding does Room on Our Pew: Making Space for All Children in Worship provide?

Funding amounts vary. Check the grant details for specifics.

When is the deadline for Room on Our Pew: Making Space for All Children in Worship?

The deadline is August 1, 2026.

Room on Our Pew: Making Space for All Children in Worship

ENGAGING DISABILITY WITH THE GOSPEL INC

Foundation Annual Grants for Churches Grants for Disabled Grants for Religious Nonprofits

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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

August 1, 2026

115 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Room on Our Pew: Making Space for All Children in Worship

Funder: Engaging Disability With The Gospel Inc (funded through Lilly Endowment Inc's Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative)

Program Status: Active - accepting applications for 2027 Cohort

Award Amount: This is a cohort-based training program rather than a direct monetary grant to individual churches. Churches participate in an 18-month intensive cohort training program.

Geographic Scope: United States (churches of all locations eligible)

Program Overview:
Room on Our Pew is designed to equip churches to implement enduring, inclusive prayer and worship practices for children of all abilities. The program addresses the question: "Is there room on our pew for all children, especially those with disabilities?"

Program Details

Program Duration: 18-month cohort training program
Total Churches to be Served: 100 churches over five years
Church Size/Context: No right answers to application questions; welcomes churches of varied sizes, locations, and ministry contexts
Theological Foundation: Grounded in Reformed theological perspective
Church Expertise Required: None specified; program welcomes all levels of familiarity with Reformed worship practices

What Participants Receive

Knowledge and skills training to better include children with disabilities in Reformed corporate prayer and worship practices
Five accessibility toolkits reflecting essential elements of Reformed worship services, including:
Engaging, developmentally appropriate, distinctly Reformed resources
17 years of church coaching experience from Engaging Disability With The Gospel

Eligibility

Must be a Christian congregation
Must be willing to form a core team of 1 leader and 2-3 additional team members for consistent engagement
Must designate a pastor or elder sponsor
Team members may include: Children's Ministry Staff, Volunteers, Parents of children impacted by disability, Pastors, Elders, or Deacons

Funding Source

Funded through Lilly Endowment Inc's Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative
Original grant to Engaging Disability With The Gospel: $1.25 million
Lilly Endowment Inc is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937, supporting community development, education, and religion

Contact Information

Email: roomonourpew@engagingdisability.org
General: connect@engagingdisability.org

How to Apply

Application Process for 2027 Cohort

Application Deadline: August 1, 2026

Required Information

#### Church Information
1. Church name
2. Church address (street, city, state, ZIP)
3. Church mailing address (if different)
4. Church office email
5. Church denomination
6. Average weekly attendance
7. Approximate number of children (0-12 years) on average Sunday
8. Brief description of worship style and context (e.g., traditional, contemporary, liturgical, choir, etc.)

#### Current Ministry Assessment
9. Types of supports (formal or informal) currently offered for children or families impacted by disability
10. How the church currently includes children of all abilities in corporate worship and prayer (age children typically join main service, nursery/children's church provisions, age limit)
11. Challenges the church faces in welcoming children and families impacted by disability
12. Motivation for applying and most exciting aspects of the cohort program
13. Familiarity level with Reformed worship practices

#### Core Team Information (Required)
Primary Core Team Leader:

Full name

Address (street, city, state, ZIP)

Role (select from: Children's Ministry Staff Member, Volunteer, Parent of child impacted by disability, Pastor, Elder or Deacon, Other)

Experience, skills, interests, and reasons for leading the team

Supporting Team Members (2-3 recommended):

Each team member requires:

- Full name
- Address (street, city, state, ZIP)
- Email
- Role (select from: Children's Ministry Staff Member, Volunteer, Parent of child impacted by disability, Pastor, Elder or Deacon, Other)
- Experience, skills, and interests they bring

Optional 4th team member available (+$150)

Optional 5th team member available (+$150)

#### Sponsor Information (Required)
Pastor or Elder Sponsor:

Full name

Role (select from: Senior Pastor, Assistant or Associate Pastor, Ruling Elder)

Note: Sponsors encouraged to fully participate; may support as schedule allows