Competitive Mini-Grant

• What are COMPETITVE MINI-GRANTS?
• For whom are COMPETITIVE MINI-GRANTS intended?
• Who designs COMPETITIVE MINI-GRANTS?
• What are the important characteristics of a COMPETITIVE MINI-GRANT?
• What kinds of experiences are included in COMPETITIVE MINI-GRANTS?
• How and when to apply for COMPETITIVE MINI-GRANTS

A Competitive Mini-Grant is a ministry experience that has been designed by the young adult applying for the grant. 

Competitive Mini-Grants are for young adults who are seriously considering a call to pastoral ministry, who have a passion for ministry and the interpersonal and organizational skills to design and implement their own congregation-based ministry experience with the aid and counsel of a pastor or Discernment Advocate.

Competitive Mini-Grants are designed by the applicant. The applicant should consult with the pastor of the congregation with whom they will be working. Details of the mini-grant program will be delineated in a letter signed by the applicant, the pastor, and a representative of the congregation council.

The arena for a Competitive Mini-Grant is the congregation.

• The pastor and / or Project Connect Discernment Advocate will serve as a mentor and is willing to share his or her own call stories and experiences in ministry.
• Competitive Mini-Grants will range in time from 3 months to one year. Young adults can apply for grants of up to $5,000 for each project, of which up to $2,500 can be designated for a stipend for the Mini-Grant recipient.
• Congregations will typically provide housing, make provisions for travel, and offer support and encouragement.
• Recipients of Mini-Grants will agree to abide by the ELCA’s Vision and Expectations statement for Associates in Ministry (see the LEADERS tab of the Project Connect website).

A Competitive Mini-Grant will offer a young adult with creativity, demonstrated leadership ability, and a growing sense of call to pastoral ministry the opportunity to work with a congregation to design a ministry project. The project should both serve the needs of the congregation/community as well as help the applicant further discern his/her sense of call by actively engaging in ministry.

Competitive Mini-Grants will be awarded in amounts of up to $5,000 for projects in duration of 3 months to one year. A portion of the mini-grant (up to $2,500) will be earmarked as compensation for the recipient’s work; the other portion will be earmarked to defray expenses incurred in carrying out the mini-grant ministry experience. Design of the ministry experience will include a budget.

In addition, the student and pastor will be expected to attend a gathering with other Competitive Mini-Grant and Immersion students and pastors, prior to the beginning of the Mini-Grant project. This event will provide orientation, peer interaction, and team-building. Project Connect will cover the costs of room, board, and program during the event as well as travel expenses. The 2007 gathering is scheduled for May 23-25, at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

Recipients of Competitive Mini-Grants will be expected to attend and report to the Annual Meeting of the Project Connect partners. The cost of travel to and from this event as well as room, board, and program costs during the event will be covered by Project Connect, over and above the amount of the Mini-Grant. The next Annual Meeting of the Project Connect partners is scheduled for April 16-18, 2008, at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Gettysburg, PA.

Applications are available from the Project Connect office.
Project Connect
665 Eaton Road
Freedom, NH 03836

Or Online:

Competitive Application Guidelines (PDF)
Competitive Application (PDF)
Waiver Form for the Academic Letter of Reference (PDF)
Waiver Form for the Ministry Letter of Reference (PDF)

First Application Deadline: February 10, 2007
Applicants will be informed of the status of their applications in letters postmarked no later than March 5.  

Applications of Competitive Mini-Grants will include:

• Application Form
• Resume
• Three-page personal essay
• Academic Letter of Reference with signed waiver
• Ministry Letter of Reference with signed waiver
• Description of the project, signed by applicant, pastor, and congregation council that will include:
• Project idea
• Timeline
• Congregational component and how this project will fit within the scope of the congregation’s ministry
• Budget
• Method of accountability/reporting – should include goals to be accomplished and periodic review of progress (what will determine the successful completion of this project?).

Second Application Deadline: April 15, 2007

If Competitive Mini-Grants are still available after the February 10 deadline, applications received by April 15 will be considered. Applicants considered at this time will be notified of the status of their applications in letters postmarked by May 5.