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During 2015/2016 this process will undergo significant revision. The following procedure is temporary
The Committee on Ministry and the Trustees, with the approval of Albany
Presbytery, have established a fund to provide grants and loans to
congregations who seek to be good stewards of their property for mission to
the wider community
(and not just maintenance).
The Fund
The fund is in a designated, invested account, divided into two parts:
 70% of the initial monies realized are reserved and invested in order to ensure the perpetuation of the
fund. Interest from these investments may be given out in grants or loans, but the initial capital will be
protected.
 30% of the initial monies realized are available for grants and no interest loans to congregations which
seek to develop their properties to use for mission and further ministry
 Up to one third of this part of the fund may be given out as grants
 Up to two thirds of this part of the fund may be given out as loans
·
The criteria for awarding grants and loans will include a combination of demonstrating that one is a vital
congregation and/or being in a location deemed to have ongoing strategic significance for Albany Presbytery.
The percentage distribution of the loans and grants may be changed by recommendation of COM and/or
Trustees and affirmative vote of the Presbytery.
 The Trustees will oversee the investment of the funds.
 There will be a special review committee to oversee the process for awarding grants and loans. The
committee will include but not be limited to a member of Council, a member of COM, a member of the
Trustees and the Transitional Presbyter.
The Application Process
God calls us to engage in mission in our neighborhoods and beyond. The Session of each congregation
applying for grants or loans from this fund to make their properties missional will work the Grants and Loans
taskforce who will guide them through the following process:
1. Applications will be distributed to participants who determine that this program fits their needs and they
are able to rise to the minimum qualifications.
2. A member from the Grants and Loans taskforce will visit the building to determine viability of structure or
receive a report from qualified consultant.
3. The pastor will engage the Session and other key leaders of the congregation in Bible Study which
explores “Missio Dei” – the Mission of God (how does God’s missional activity in Scripture inform our mission?)
4. The pastor and Session will lead an Appreciative Inquiry process which helps the congregation discern
potential new missional strategies:
These groups will ask the following questions after surveying the neighborhood:
1. What is God up to (in our neighborhood)?
2. What does God want to do with this information?
3. Who is our neighbor?
4. What do our neighbors say they need?
5. How do we discern the answers to these questions?
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6. What experiment do you think God wants us to try?
7. Who can help us with this? Who can we partner with?
8. What is the process by which the congregation will raise a portion of the funds needed for this
project?
Written Submission to Grants and Loans
1. Six Paragraph Memo: no longer than two pages
a)
Situation: what’s the need to address?
b)
Strategy: what’s our idea to meet the need; and how do we know it works? (This will include a
plan for congregational fundraising for a portion of the project costs or other method for using
church resources for the project.)
(c)
Execution: what steps are we going to take (from startup to ongoing time frame)
d)
Support: what are the logistics; what resources (human, physical, financial) do we need?
e)
Leadership/Partnership: what other organizations/structures need to be involved?
2. Fill out the presbytery financial checklist (http://albanypresbytery.org/resources/for-church-treasurers)
3. Get an energy audit: NYSERDA
4. Submit all materials to the Grant & Loan Task Force.
Review of Applications:
1. The yearly deadline for receipt of applications is March 31st (in 2015 this will be extended to April 30th)
and September 30th
2. Decisions will be made by the Task Force by June 1st and December 1st
3. During May and October/ November the Task Force will meet and evaluate whether the applicant has
met the guidelines
4. The Task Force will award grants and loans based on the merits of all applications received in each
funding cycle, rather than simply dividing up available monies among all eligible applications
5. At end of year the recipient congregations are expected to provide a minimum of one page report
explaining how funds were used and any benefit they saw from the grant or loan