Dear Indiana Kentucky Partner,

The Indiana Kentucky Conference Board of Directors and Staff is excited to announce our latest set of grant opportunities for the work of ministry in your setting. The mission of our Conference is to “live in covenant, connecting and equipping local ministries to love and serve like Jesus.” We see these grants as one way in which we can provide covenant support towards connecting and equipping our pastors and congregations. Whether it is your vision to engage in matters of spiritual formation, church revitalization processes, or a justice issue like addressing racism in our midst, we seek to support you through this grant process. How each of you is engaged in ministry in your communities deeply matters for the sake of the gospel in the world, and we want to do all we can to find ways of supporting your work. The Conference will be providing an update on additional funding opportunities for continuing education beyond the funds associated with this grant opportunity in the reasonably near future. Connected with this email are further descriptions of the grant process itself, the kinds of grants available, the timeline for applications, and the amounts we can distribute in a given calendar year. Should you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to email Shawn Seals at shawnmseals@gmail.com or call the Conference Office at 317-924-1395, and we will do our best to get them answered. We look forward to hearing from you and to accompanying your dream of engaging ministry in your community.



 In Christ and Covenant,

Rev. Dr. Chad Abbott

Conference Minister

Indiana Kentucky Conference

United Church of Christ

IKC Grant Process

The Finance and Budget Committee, in conjunction with the Board of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference, has several ongoing opportunities to secure grants through the designated funds managed by the Board.

Grant Cycle

All grant applications must be submitted by June 15, 2026. All applications will be carefully reviewed, with funds being disbursed shortly after formal award selection. Funds will be disbursed via check to the organization. At the close of each project, a follow-up summary of the implementation and effectiveness of the project should be emailed to the conference along with a 1–2-minute video sharing the impact of the grant (Note: You can see examples of these videos from past years below)

Anti-Racism Grant is designated for anti-racism work within a congregation. Examples of eligible projects under this program include (but are not limited to) book studies, other study resources, or perhaps some sort of anti-racism training for a local church. The maximum yearly distribution total of all awarded projects from this fund is $2,000.00

Donald R. Buckthal Fund (DRB) Grants will provide support for new church starts or church revitalization projects, to include funds for emergent structural repairs. These funds are designed to bring to life a new ministry or to jump-start a new project in your current setting that brings new life into your ministry. To secure funds from the DRB, a detailed proposal needs to be submitted regarding the proposed project, along with clear indications that the project has already been approved and is in the early implementation stage. Examples of eligible projects under this program include (but are not limited to) remodeling an existing space to create a new youth space, food pantry, clothes closet, other community-based programs, or emergent repairs that hinder the space from being suited well to a new or ongoing ministry. The maximum yearly distribution total of all awarded projects from this fund is $20,000.00.

Spiritual Formation and Program Fund Grant will provide support to congregations seeking funds to initiate a new program in the area of spiritual formation or other enriching programming that seeks to build up the body of Christ.  Examples of eligible projects under this program include (but are not limited to) supplies for programs such as labyrinth construction and drum circles, books, videos, and other supplies to support adult and youth faith formation programs, or appropriate costs related to faith retreats.  The maximum yearly distribution total of all awarded projects from this fund is $7,500.00.

Authorized Minister and Lay Leader Continuing Education Grants—designated for continuing education for authorized ministers and lay persons.   Examples of eligible requests under this program include (but are not limited to) learning opportunities to enhance ministry through social media, working in small churches, financial literacy for pastor and/or treasurer, etc. The maximum yearly distribution total of all awarded projects from this fund is $3,500.00.