Grant proposals are accepted May 1st – June 1st and November 1st – December 1st. During a typical grant cycle, we will receive about 40 proposals of which about 30 are selected to complete applications. We average about 12 grants per grant cycle. However, our decisions are based on the available budget and not a specific number of grants, therefore the number of grants chosen in a particular cycle will vary.
We do not have a specific maximum grant amount although the available grant budget would determine the maximum amount available during a particular grant cycle. A typical annual grant making budget is about $1,400,000 of which about $200,000 is allocated to international grant making. Therefore, based on two grant cycles per year, each grant cycle will have a local grant making budget of about $600,000. Historically, grants made during an individual grant cycle have ranged from about $1,000 to about $400,000 and average about $50,000.
Once an organization is selected to complete an application and submits the application, foundation staff begins the process of analyzing and preparing the application for submittal to the board of directors. The analysis includes a review of the organization’s success relative to their mission, a review of the organization’s financial history for the previous two years and financial accountability as evidenced through an audit or financial review. Also included is a review of evidence supporting a qualified staff and responsible Board of Directors, goal-setting skills in place and a true need for the grant funds. And finally, the analysis typically includes an “in person” interview with representative staff / board members of the applicant organization, SMMCF staff and several SMMCF board members which offers the opportunity to discuss in detail the applicant’s program/project for which the grant would be used.
Once the analyses are complete for all applications being considered in the cycle, a detailed summary of each application is provided to the board of directors. The board meets collectively for several days in mid-April for the Spring Grant Cycle and several days in mid-October for the Fall Grant Cycle. During these review meetings, board members discuss the application and the information provided in the detailed summaries and individually rate each proposal based on this information as it relates to the following points of criteria:
The ratings are tallied and used to rank each application in order of the rating from highest to lowest. The budget is then applied to the ranking to determine the initial applications that may be selected. The board then reviews the appropriateness of each amount requested and if special conditions apply such as partial, conditional, or challenge grants. The final slate is approved during the full board meeting which is typically scheduled for the 3rd Thursday in April for the Spring and the 3rd Thursday in October for the Fall.
The above is an example of a rating for a hypothetical grant cycle. The information contained is not derived from any actual grant recipient.
The term “institutions related to Methodism” that is referenced in the foundation’s mission statement and in the grant decision criteria is defined by SMMCF to be inclusive of the following agencies:
SMMCF defines “organizations that promote evangelical Christianity” to be organizations who believe and promote the understanding that the acceptance of God’s grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation as opposed to universal salvation (God loves everyone, so everyone goes to Heaven).
Unless you have been advised not to reapply or your project is declined because it does not fall within the guidelines, you may reapply as many times as you wish. A decline does not necessarily mean there is no interest in a project; however, choices must be made based on the available funding and other projects submitted for the same grant cycle.
There is no restriction to apply again unless your organization received a challenge, conditional, or multi-year grant which has not yet been fulfilled (paid). In such a case, organizations should contact the Foundation regarding eligibility.
No. There are no limitations on the number of requests. However, you will need to submit a separate proposal for each request. Please do not combine multiple requests in one proposal.
The organization does not have to be located in one of the four counties (Camden, Glynn, Brantley, and Charlton Counties) only if the project requested for will be operated in one of the counties or for residents of those counties. You must be able to show how you will identify and use the funds only for those counties.
The only other organizations that do not have to be located in the four counties of Southeast Georgia are organizations related to Methodism and international mission or evangelical organizations whose programs take place outside of the continental United States.
The Board of Directors will only consider grant requests from the following Methodist organizations:
No. The Foundation does not consider grant requests for these types of projects.
Not typically, as the Foundation prefers to fund community focused projects where the collaborative effort of several churches will be more beneficial and effective. For example, a collaboration of churches providing a community-based ministry (e.g., after school programing, foster care, literacy programming, etc.) may be eligible if the ministry serves the community rather than individual congregations. Contact the Foundation office, if this is the case, to see if you may be eligible.
No.
Yes.
No. One of the requirements for an application is to be qualified as an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in the United States.
The following will not be considered for grants.
Natural and manmade disasters occur throughout the world on a random and unfortunately frequent basis with many secular and Christian organizations responding with tremendous resources. The typical American response is very generous with an outpouring of financial and material donations, especially during the time just after the disaster occurs. However, over time these donations tend to decline as the news of other world events pulls away people’s attention. Most organizations understand this dynamic and solicit accordingly – a matter of good business.
As the SMMCF interprets this dynamic, the practice has been and the policy hereby established not to respond immediately or directly to these disasters, but instead to proactively invest in the organizations that respond so that they are prepared for the next disaster.
