UM churches across the U.S. can receive grants of up to $2000 to help refugees and migrants living in their communities, thanks to a new grant program from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The “Mustard Seed Migration Grants” continue the agency’s 80-year tradition of helping refugees, immigrants and migrants seeking to build a new life.
The Mustard Seed Migration Grants, inspired by the well-known parable about growth, will provide 50 congregations with up to $2,000 in funding to support one-time, community-based service projects. Churches will have the opportunity to assist refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented persons and migrants of all types in their own cities and towns.
“Our hope is that, by learning more about migrants in local communities and addressing their needs through these Mustard Seed Migration Grants, the ‘seed’ of welcoming strangers will be planted in new ways in congregations around the country,” said Roland Fernandes, head of UMCOR and its parent agency UM Global Ministries.
The grants are competitive; and completed applications are due by May 16. Grant recipients will receive an award notification on June 1. Approved grant activities may begin as early as June 15 and end as late as December 15. Grant recipients must submit a final report upon completion of their project.
For more information about the Mustard Seed Migration grants or to complete an application, visit https://umcmission.org/migration/mustardseed/.