The Foundation for Evangelism is now accepting applications for its 2026 Local Church Grant Cycle. This grant will be highly selective, with awards of up to $5,000 or $10,000 to small and medium* sized churches, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination.
Past Equipping the Local Church Grant recipient projects include a wide range of evangelistic disciple-building in the local church context including:
- A transition ministry for the formerly incarcerated providing job training, access to computers and email to apply for jobs, clothing to wear to job interviews, and plenty of food and prayer. Following transition meetings with inmates who had completed an exit program, 20 inmates committed their lives to Christ!
- A respite ministry aimed at improving the quality of life for those living with dementia and those who care for them, through worship, arts & crafts, support groups, and a community where God’s abundant life can be experienced by all.
- An English/Spanish as a Second Language program that has become the front porch of the church, including students originally from many places around the world. To build deeper relationship between leaders and students, they formed Missional Small Groups were formed, helping students building relationships, find common ground, and build trust that ultimately allowed them to talk comfortably about spiritual matters and connect with God.
The grant is intended to help launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel in word and deed, build relationships, and invite others into a discipleship journey with Jesus.
Any church or group of churches meeting the criteria may submit a letter of intent.
Applications opened January 15 and will close February 2, 2026.
The Foundation for Evangelism Equipping the Local Church grant initiative seeks to empower pastors and laity in smaller local congregations to dream, take risks, and partner with God in the transformation of lives and communities. These grants are made possible through the generosity of donors, friends, and partners of The Foundation for Evangelism.
For 77 years, The Foundation for Evangelism has encouraged and promoted
evangelism across the Wesleyan tradition by providing grants and resources that invite all people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Our work focuses on strengthening leaders, laity and congregations to be resilient faith communities sharing the Gospel and inviting others into the Body of Christ. To learn more about our work, visit www.FoundationForEvangelism.org.
*under 250 participants
