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In addition to directly helping Minnesota families living in poverty, the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) awards grants to grass-roots groups working to help low-income families in their neighborhoods.
While most GMCC programs directly help Minnesota families living in poverty, over the years various government agencies and foundations have asked GMCC to award grants on their behalf to faith and community groups impacting poverty in neighborhoods. GMCC screens the applicants and provides training to grant recipients. The application process is open a select number of times a year.
Applicants do not have to have 501(c)(3) status, nor do they need a fiscal agent. However, they must meet the following requirements:
- Be incorporated.
- Provide services to economically disadvantaged communities.
- For faith-based and community-based groups - have an annual budget of $500,000 or less.
- For worshipping communities - have an annual human services budget of $300,000 or less.
- May not have received a direct federal grant within the last five years.
GMCC has partnered with Fairview Health Services, the Otto Bremer Foundation, the Marbook Foundation, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to offer this Compassion Capital Fund opportunity. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to Red Wing area faith and community groups exploring unique ways to help families living in poverty.
In 2008, GMCC awarded $294,000 in grants to 42 groups in the Twin Cities, Little Falls, and the Mankato area.
In addition to the monetary award, GMCC provides training to grant recipients to ensure their outreach programs are well thought-out and well executed. GMCC partners with Hamline University to assist grantees with professional instruction in areas such as: volunteer recruitment, accounting, grant writing/fundraising, and risk management; freeing up the faith- and community-based groups to focus on their grassroots direct-service programs. GMCC grantees also receive training to ensure they establish a solid program design with measurable outcomes.
Current GMCC grants are funded by the McKnight Foundation, in addition to the federal Compassion Capital Fund Grant.
The Compassion Capital Fund is part of a federal faith-based initiative to help faith and community groups strengthen their ability to provide social services to those in need.
For more information or to apply, contact Bridget Ryan, GMCC associate director of programs, at 612-276-1575 or e-mail ccfinfo@gmcc.org.
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