Chalice Lighter Grants | Application | Become a Chalice Lighter | Worship Service Resources

Download forms:

Application Cover Sheet [Word Document] [PDF]
Chalice Lighter Grant Proposal [Word Document] [PDF]

Applying for a Grant

1. Chalice Lighter Grant Applications are mailed to congregational board presidents twice a year.  Any existing or newly-forming congregation in the Clara Barton District is eligible for funding if it has a project to develop and implement intentional plans for membership growth.

2. The congregation fills out the proposal forms for its growth.  The Board of the congregation votes to approve it, and the application is submitted to the CBD District Office before the deadline.

3. The Chalice Lighter Committee reviews the applications according to the criteria, selects a project for funding, and sends out a call for donations to the Chalice Lighters.  After the funds are received, a check is sent to the grantee congregation. 

4. The amount raised depends on how many Chalice Lighters are active in the District.  Recent calls raised about $2,500 and the program has grown past the first milestone of 100 members.

5. If not funded, a congregation may re-apply in the next funding round.  If a congregation receives a Chalice Lighter grant, it must wait one fiscal year before submitting a new application. ( For example, a grant is received fall 2007 or spring 2008 during the 2007-08 fiscal year.  The next time an application could be sent is in the fall of 2009 during the 2009-10 fiscal year.)

Criteria for Chalice Lighter Proposals

1. Preference will be given to congregations with Chalice Lighter members.
2. Preference will be given to those congregations that are fair share within the UUA and District.
3. Each proposal will be evaluated on how it is tied to goals that advance the growth of the congregation.
4. Each proposal will be evaluated on the strength of the commitment of congregational members and resources to carrying out a successful project. (Adequate time, money, volunteers, in-kind services committed to complete or sustain the project.)
5. Preference will be given to congregations where a team has taken or is registered to take Radical Hospitality training. The training will be offered twice a year in the spring and fall. Check the CBD web site for the next training dates.
6. Preference will be given to congregations with members who have attended other UU training opportunities and/or UUA and CBD events (growth, anti-oppression, religious education trainings, NELS, General Assembly, CBD rallies, etc.)
7. Preference will be given to congregations where the leadership has viewed the Ideas for Growth DVD.
8. The congregation receiving the grant will measure the success of its growth efforts and submit a final progress report within a year of being awarded the grant.

Please send all proposals to:

Chalice Lighter Program                               Clara Barton District                                    PO Box 368 Westford, MA 01886 clarabartondist@verizon.net	(978) 392-6700 phone (978)  392-6701 fax
Fall Deadline:  November 1, 2007	Fall Decision: December 1, 2007
Spring Deadline: February 15, 2008	Spring Decision: February 28, 2008

For more information, please contact:
Rev. Claudia Elferdink, Shoreline UU Society, Madison, CT   
caelferdink@verizon.net   203-245-8720

Rev. Judith Wright, First Parish Church UU, Northborough, MA 
 jwright@firstparishnorthboro.org  508-393-6422