CBOQ Pastors and Leaders,
We’re excited that you are considering applying for a CBOQ grant! Doing so means that you are invested in your church and in sharing the Gospel with your neighbours.
To equip our churches and leaders, CBOQ has three categories of grants for which you can apply:
- Planting grants, which support churches in planting new churches or re-planting existing ones
- Revitalization grants, which support churches in developing and communicating their vision
- Ministry grants, which strengthen churches in launching, scaling up or improving initiatives
Here you can find information on the following:
- About the grants program
- What is (and isn’t) funded
- Criteria for approval
- Eligibility assessment
- How to apply, application deadlines and what you need to begin
Our desire is to keep our grants process as transparent and simple as possible to ensure that you, our churches and leaders, are able to access the financial resources you need for the work God has called you to accomplish.
We are pleased to be able to serve our family of churches in this way. If you have questions or would like to talk through your ideas, please contact us.
About the CBOQ Grants Program
CBOQ’s grants are designed to resource its churches in the areas of church planting, revitalization and ministry so that they might better fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).
Through generous donations to CBOQ over many decades, we have been blessed with the opportunity to distribute over $5 million dollars to our church plants and missional initiatives over the 25+ year lifespan of our grants program. Over 160 of our churches have benefitted from the grants program.
Grants Program Mandate
CBOQ’s mandate remains the same with our Grants Program, as we are directed by our family of churches at CBOQ Assembly. It is:
1. Resourcing Churches
CBOQ stimulates a climate for mission growth by supporting and guiding churches, encouraging innovation and making available the best training, resource material and consulting so that member churches can engage in the mission from God in their community.
2. Developing Leaders
CBOQ enhances training, development and support for pastors and leaders, and help people discover and exercise their gifts to the glory of God.
3. Fostering Partnerships
CBOQ builds partnerships with and among churches, in associations and with others invested in serving Jesus.
4. Strengthening Relationships and Identity
CBOQ encourages our sense of shared relationship and identity as Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec and intentionally celebrate our diversity.
CBOQ Grants Process
Development: 0-6 months
- The idea
What ministry opportunity is before you? - The application
Use the application process to develop your idea into a ministry plan
Implementation: 1-2 years
Generally, funds are distributed monthly to help implement the vision of the ministry.
Evaluation: Every 6-12 months
What are you learning from this experience? What are the outcomes of the project?
- Progress report: Every 6 months
- Financial report: Every 12 months
Sharing
What has God done in your church and your community as a result of your ministry? How has the grant helped your church thrive?
Stories may be included in our publications, including The Canadian Baptist eNews or magazine, on our blog, social media feeds, etc.
Grant Categories
Planting
PurposeSupport churches in planting new churches or in re-planting |
What CBOQ ProvidesCBOQ provides your church with consultation and coaching and works with your planting team in developing the skills to support this plant. |
FundingUp to $24,000 per year Average Range: Duration: |
GoalDevelop a new Gospel expression
|
Revitalization
PurposeSupport churches in developing and communicating their vision |
What CBOQ ProvidesCBOQ provides consultation, training and coaching and works with your key leaders in developing your vision and communication strategy. |
FundingUp to $2,400 per year Amount Range: Duration: |
GoalDevelop or pilot a new initiative in the areas of discerning and communicating the church’s Mission, Vision or Values. Develop or pilot new resources in the areas of financial stewardship, personnel, governance |
Ministry
PurposeStrengthen churches in launching, scaling up or improving initiatives |
What CBOQ ProvidesCBOQ provides consultation and coaching. If possible, CBOQ provide support and coaching for your initiative. |
FundingUp to $6,000 per year Amount Range: Duration: |
GoalLaunch, replicate or adapt a program or mission Scale up a program currently delivered, thus impacting more people Improve the quality of a program currently delivered to increase impact. |
What Isn’t Funded
CBOQ has been entrusted to steward funds to equip churches and leaders as they engage in their mission from God in their community. The following factors have been discerned by the CBOQ Board and Grants Committee as examples of funding that are not eligible.
Core Funding
CBOQ grants are not intended for your church’s core operations. Staffing and administrative costs might be associated with your initiative, but grant applications with the goal of increasing overall capacity of the church will not be approved.
Maintaining an Existing Program
CBOQ grants are not to be used to maintain existing initiatives. Applications must demonstrate how the initiative will impact the community. Grants are designed to develop a new Gospel expression, launch or adapt a program or scale up an existing initiatives.
Capital Items (equipment, renovations, new capital construction)
CBOQ grants are not intended for improvements or additions to buildings or facilities. Grant funds are not to be used for the purchase of equipment, except when it may be necessary to commence an initiative or micro grants.
Requests to Discharge Pre-Existing Debts of Churches
CBOQ grants are not to be used to discharge pre-existing debts.
Criteria for Approval
What We’re Looking For
All our CBOQ churches are engaged in valuable ministry in their communities and discerning which ones most need our finite funding is a challenging task! We will review all applications, and adjudicate based on the following four categories.
Grant Alignment
How does this grant application align with the mission of the church and the objectives of the grants program?
Questions to ask:
- How does your church describe its vision, values or mission? Does the church have a clear mission statement?
- How will this initiative equip your church to live out its vision, values or mission?
Application Quality
Grant applications should demonstrate a prayerfully discerned and well-planned initiative.
Questions to ask:
- Do you have defined and demonstrable project objectives?
- Do you have a workable ministry plan that will help bring your vision into reality?
- Have you identified measurable benchmarks? Does the grant application show a clear impact on community?
- Can your initiative become self-sustaining?
- Will you produce appropriate progress reports?
- Is your project financially feasible?
Investment in People
Initiatives should demonstrate a commitment to developing disciples and leaders who are committed to serving through the ministry of your congregation.
Questions to ask:
- How will you provide training and equipping to disciple the project leaders and ministry volunteers?
- How will you use the learnings of this initiative to better equip your church?
Kingdom Collaboration
How does this initiative demonstrate a commitment to a collaborative ministry with a partner church or organization?
Questions to ask:
- Does your projects have collaboration with multiple CBOQ churches or associations?
- Does your projects bring together other groups in ministry?
Grant Application
Once you have completed a successful eligibility assessment, you are ready to begin your grant application!
A few things to know before you begin:
- You will need to discuss specific questions with your committee and church board before starting your application. Please download What You Need to Begin (below) to guide your discussions.
- Your church will need to complete the Application Resolution (below) with your congregation to complete your application. While this is a signed form you can complete it online and upload the file to your application.
- You can save and return to your application by copying your application link.
- We will acknowledge receipt of your completed application within five business days and inform you if we have any questions or concerns before we can proceed.
- You will need to request an endorsement letter from your association.
Grant Application Form
Please ensure that you have read through the above information before commencing your grant application.
