Grants and Funding

Congregational Funding Program

Principles Guiding the Congregational Funding Program
A new funding program for congregations was approved by the Regional Council at a special meeting held on December 9, 2025. It is based on the pre-existing process of the Grants and Mission Committee and the Regional Priorities (which can be found in the Regional Council Policy:sw_policies_Regional_Council_policy.pdf). It will also be guided by the following principles, which together ensure that available resources are administered in ways that are faithful, strategic, and effective in supporting the ongoing ministry of congregations.: Ad Hoc Committee Funding Principles – [ PDF – 3 pages]

SWRC Grant for Communities of Faith: Congregational Ministry Programs

In the Review of Ministry and Funding Priorities 2025, communities of faith identified support to congregations with ministry programs as a priority. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support congregations for specific initiatives – such as starting a new youth program, launching a seniors’ program or engaging in community outreach.

Deadline for applications: April 15, 2026. Please submit your application to Kathleen Jones: kijones@united-church.ca

Congregational Ministry Programs Application

SWRC Grant for Communities of Faith: Congregational Capital Projects

In the Review of Ministry and Funding Priorities, communities of faith identified support to congregations with unexpected capital expenses as a priority. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support congregations with specific capital expenses.

Deadline for applications: April 15, 2026. Please submit your application to Kathleen Jones: kijones@united-church.ca

Congregational Capital Projects Application

SWRC Grants for Communities of Faith: Program Grants for Community Ministries, Camps, Missions and Outreach Ministries

A Framework for Funding in SWRC

Deadline for applications: September, 2026. Please submit your application to Kathleen Jones: kijones@united-church.ca

Program Grants Application COMING SOON

Please note: in any given year, a community of faith may apply only for a grant for congregational ministry programs or for a program grant for community ministries, camps, missions or outreach ministries.

Time Sensitive Granting Opportunities

Below are a list of current granting opportunities we are aware of that may be of interest to you or your community of faith. Please be aware of the time sensitive nature of the application process and the deadlines for submission.

TUCC Grant Opportunities – January 2, 2026 to February 15, 2026

Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) is delighted to announce two grant opportunities aimed at supporting youth and young adults, and practical life skills development within our church and communities of faith. Applications for both grants open on January 2, 2026, and close on February 15, 2026.

The James Elwood Baillie Fund Needs-Based Grant
This needs-based grant provides financial support to youth and young adults aged 13-35 who are involved in their community of faith within the four Regional Councils of the United Church of Canada that TUCC serves. Established through a legacy gift from James Elwood Baillie, the fund supports young people in need and can be used for:

Courses on biblical studies, life skills, or parenting.
Access to basic necessities from a UCC food and/or clothing banks.
Scholarships or bursaries for technical, trade, or college education.
Sponsorships to attend a UCC camp within the regions TUCC serves.

Applicants must be nominated by a minister, church representative, or the church council/board, and the grant is awarded directly to the recipient. Twelve grants of $1,000 each will be distributed.

The Treble Fund Grant
Established and inspired by the legacy of Lillian Frances Massey Treble, this fund supports ministries and communities of faith in the City of Toronto(The approximate boundaries are: Steeles Avenue (North); Lake Ontario (South); Etobicoke Creek and Hwy.427 (West); Rouge River and Rouge Park (East). Grants of up to $5,000 are available to help develop life skills in ministry program areas such as:

Food preparation and nutrition.
Sustainable food gardening.
Financial literacy.
Crafting and sewing programs.

Both funds reflect TUCC’s commitment to resourcing your ministry, by supporting youth and young people in need, empowering communities, and fostering meaningful connections.

Faithful Footprints Grant – January 28, 2026 to April 30, 2026

Eligible United Church communities of faith can receive up to $20,000 to support decarbonization building upgrades.

The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints Grant Program has funded over 300 energy efficiency and decarbonization building retrofit projects, helping United Church communities of faith lower energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening long-term sustainability and renewing mission work across the country.

Following a temporary pause beginning in April 2025 to review and strengthen the program, Expression of Interest intake has reopened for a 2026 funding cycle, supporting carbon reduction retrofits of United Church buildings.

Faithful Footprints is a partnership of FAITH & THE COMMON GOOD and The United Church of Canada.

For more information: https://www.faithfulfootprints.org/

Communities of Faith Commission Grants

Please contact Jody Maltby to request these funds: jmaltby@united-church.ca

1. Clusters: up to $500 to support a single event for a cluster of congregations – one request per year per cluster.

2. Collaborations: up to $1,500 for facilitation of several congregations to discuss options for collaboration and/or amalgamation and/or clustering – one request per group of congregations (in exceptional circumstances a second request may be considered in a subsequent year)

3. Lay Leaders and Lay-Led Congregations: up to $400 for lay leaders wishing to pursue continuing education opportunities, or $600 per congregation if multiple lay leaders wish to attend an event – one request per lay leader or per congregation.

4. Property Decisions: up to $500 for facilitation for a single congregation wishing to explore options for faithful property decisions which could include development, rentals, renovations, partnerships, or sales – one request per congregation (in exceptional circumstances, a second request may be considered in a subsequent year.

Sabbatical Grants

Contact your Pastoral Relations Minister for more information about these grants or click here

Intercultural Diversity Commission

Microgrants provided by the Intercultural Diversity Commission for intercultural initiatives by communities of faith

Social and Ecological Justice Commission

Microgrants provided by the Social and Ecological Justice Commission for social justice, ecological justice and Leading from the Heart (youth and young adult specific):

UCC Grants

Capital Assistance Programs

The purpose of the Capital Assistance Fund is to provide financial assistance for the renewal and development of congregations, camps, education centres, community ministries, and chaplaincies. Assistance is available in the form of loans and targeted grants for eligible pastoral charges/ congregations and other ministries that would otherwise be unable to undertake or complete these projects.

The Fund is managed by the General Council Office and each application for a grant or a loan requires regional approval. The following grants and loans are available:

Capital Loans and Development Loans for Pastoral Charges or Congregations
Modernization and Improvement Grants for Church/Manse
Technology Support Grants for Pastoral Charges, Congregations, and Community Ministries
Loans and Grants for Camps and Education and Retreat Centres

A congregation can apply for several different types of grants in a calendar year—for example, a Technology Grant, a Manse Modernization Grant, and a Church Modernization Grant. A congregation may only make one application per grant type per year.

For further information on Capital Assistance: https://united-church.ca/leadership/church-administration/local-administration/capital-assistance-programs

The United Church of Canada Foundation

The United Church of Canada Foundation offers a wide variety of different grant opportunities for United Church of Canada organizations and individuals to bring life to the mission and values of the United Church. These grants are a part of the stewardship of our trusts and endowments, made possible by the generosity of donors to the Foundation and the United Church of Canada.

These grants do not require regional approval.

A few opportunities are highlighted below. For a complete list of grants available through the UCC Foundation: PDF

SEEDS OF HOPE

The Seeds of Hope granting program supports innovative, unique, and much-needed projects in the following areas of ministry:

Innovative Programs for Seniors
Children and Anti-Poverty Programs
Housing Programs
General Programs
Lectureships and Events

For more information on grants available: https://www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/seeds-of-hope/

NEW MINISTRIES FORMATION FUND

The New Ministries Formation Fund helps support new ministry initiatives that address changing cultures and communities in urban, rural, and suburban realities; that are sensitive to the intercultural commitments of the church; and reflect a commitment to the environment, peace, and justice.

These grants do not require regional approval.

Individuals, ministries, and courts of the United Church of Canada are welcome to apply for a grant from the New Ministries Formation Fund.

For more information: https://www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/new-ministries-fund/

Information about grants supporting education, continued learning and scholarship is available here:

https://www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/education-based-grants/

Information about other grants for communities and individuals: https://www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/general-grant-opportunities/

The Vision Fund

The Vision Fund provides grants in support of youth and young adult ministry to members, ministries and partners of The United Church of Canada.

These grants do not require regional approval.

Seed Grants for Innovative Ministry

Innovative, creative, and new youth and young adult ministries are eligible for a grant of up to $5,000. If congregations or groups undertake additional fundraising, they can apply for an additional matching grant of up to $3,000.

Application deadlines are January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.

Continuing Education Bursaries for First Third Ministry Leaders

Support is available for continuing education events with a focus on First Third Ministry (children, youth, young adults, camp, campus ministry, family ministry). Volunteers and congregational designated ministers (CDMs) can receive up to $500 per person, per year; designated lay ministers (DLMs) and ordered ministers can receive up to $300 per person, per year. Books and association memberships are not funded. There is a cap of $1,000 per pastoral charge per year.

Application deadlines are January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15.

Grants for Flourishing Ministry Programs

Each triennium, grants of $25,000 per year are available for up to two exemplary, transformative, and ongoing ministry programs. These programs embrace methods for people to enter relationships marked by service and engagement with God’s mission in the world. They must include a theological rationale and strong faith content.

The application deadline is October 15 in years preceding a General Council.

For more information: https://united-church.ca/community-faith/being-community/children-and-youth/vision-fund

Healing Fund

The Healing Fund supports healing initiatives for survivors of the residential school system and its ongoing intergenerational impacts. Indigenous communities may apply up to $15,000 to create healing, culture, and/or language projects.

These grants do not require regional approval.

The Healing Fund is supported by the Mission and Service Fund.

For more information: https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/being-community/indigenous-ministries/healing-fund

Justice and Reconciliation Fund

The Justice and Reconciliation Fund supports projects by United Church groups that foster education, dialogue, reconciliation, and relationship-building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Wherever possible, the planning and application process should also be a joint Indigenous/non-Indigenous endeavour.

These grants do not require regional approval.

A group can apply for a grant to a maximum of three years in a row, and can receive a maximum of $10,000 each year.

Applications are to be submitted by March 15 or September 15; decisions will be rendered within eight weeks of these deadlines.

For more information: https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/reconciliation-and-indigenous-justice/justice-and-reconciliation

Faithful Footprints

Faithful Footprints is a partnership of FAITH & THE COMMON GOOD and The United Church of Canada.

For more information: https://www.faithfulfootprints.org/

PTCC – The Presbyteries of Toronto Conference Corporation

PTCC provides annual net revenue grants and capital grants to ministries within Shining Waters Regional Council after approval by the Grants and Mission Support Committee and the Regional Executive. PTCC looks forward to playing an active role in the work and mission of both Shining Waters Regional Council and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council in the future.

For more information: https://www.ptccorp.org/

Toronto United Church Council

The Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) works with the church community to connect resources with ministry. Offering access to professional advice, financial support, and leadership development, TUCC helps our church address the social and spiritual challenges of the day. As of 2019 TUCC proudly serves Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways, Shining Waters, and East Central Ontario Regional Councils.

For more information: https://www.tucc.ca/about-tucc/

Granting Opportunities: Grants – TUCC

Loan Programs: Our Loan Programs – TUCC

Seeking Grants from Other Organizations: Seeking Grants from Other Organizations – TUCC

Holy Currencies: Six Blessings for Sustainable Missional Ministries

Shining Waters Regional Council is grateful for permission to share this 3 part video resource created by our neighbour regions – Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways and Antler River Watershed – in partnership with EDGE. This grant workshop was held on March 3, 2020 and was facilitated by Kathy Douglas and David Jagger.

Introduction

The following video includes a brief stewardship-themed worship and exercise based on Eric H. F. Law’s book Holy Currencies: Six Blessings for Sustainable Missional Ministries (ISBN: 9780827214927):

Grant Getting

Following are some best practices for finding and applying for grants. These include a variety of grant opportunities within and outside of the United Church.

Grant Received

Responsibilities and tasks once you have succeeded in getting the money
Impact Measurement

*Please note: when the video ends, another video will begin that is not connected to the presentation.

Other Foundations

Catherine Donnelly Foundation Supporting bold and innovative initiatives
Ontario Trillium Foundation Learn about our new investment strategies and granting programs
Community Foundations: Helping donors match theri interests to community needs, including the Emergency Community Support Fund, a $350 million emergency funding program from the Government of Canada to donees serving vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19.
Government of Canada Grants and funding
Canada Summer Jobs (Youth/Young adults)
New Horizons (Seniors)
Investment Readiness Program also through the Government of Canada

Framework for Funding

In June 2021, the Executive approved the following framework for funding in Shining Waters Regional Council:

A Framework for Funding in SWRC – [ PDF – 3 pages ]

Grant Recipients

In 2025, Shining Waters Regional Council is pleased to provide support to the following ministries.

Mission & Service Grants

Abiona Centre
Cummer Avenue United Church Drop-Inn, Toronto
Davenport Perth Community Ministry
Ecumenical Chaplaincy, University of Toronto
Hospice Muskoka
Jane Finch Community Ministry
Runnymede United Church Meals Program

Toronto Southeast Presbytery, Major Capital Fund

Tamil United Church Mission

Shining Waters Regional Council Grants

Camp Big Canoe
Camp Simpresca
Grace Place Outreach on Main, Brampton
Moorelands Kids (Community Services), North York
Roncesvalles United Church Dinner with Dignity Program
Sparrow Lake Camp
Stonegate Community Ministry, Etobicoke
Wesley Mimico Food Program, Etobicoke
Weston King Centre, Toronto

Presbyteries of Toronto Conference Corporation (PTCC) Grants

Anglican United Refugee Alliance
Bloor Street United Church Refugee Program, Toronto
Davenport Perth Community Ministry
Filipino Christian Fellowship, North York
Fred Victor Centre
The GO Project
Good Tree Korean United Church Mission, Toronto
Jane Finch Community Ministry
Lake Scugog Camp
Ministere Protestant francophone de Toronto
Regent Park Community Ministry
The Journey

Staff Support

JODY MALTBY

Acting Executive Minister - Regional Staff Lead; Finance and Property

Toll Free: 1888-747-9063, Ext. 2
Direct Phone: 249-489-2002
Email: jmaltby@united-church.ca

Serves in: Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils

Location: Teleworks and works from the Guthrie Main Office

Role: Jody coordinates the support to communities of faith, including coordinating the work of regional staff.

Contact Jody about: Community Ministries, Congregational Finances, Grants, Incorporated Ministries, and Property - Development, Leases, Loans, Renovations, Sales

Facebook

KATHLEEN JONES

Administrative Support

Toll Free: 1-888-747-9063, Ext. 5
Direct Phone: 249-489-2005
Email: kijones@united-church.ca

Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council and Canadian Shield Regional Council

Location: Teleworks from her home.

Role: Kathleen provides administrative support to Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils.