Church Grants: The #1 Mistake Churches Make When Applying According to a Grant Funder

For many places of worship, church grants can be the key to expanding ministry and deepening community impact.

Yet too often, applications fall short — not because the work isn’t meaningful, but because proposals don’t speak the language funders understand. 

Rev. Jamar A. Boyd, II knows this challenge firsthand. As Senior Pastor of Kenwood United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL and an Associate in the Office of the President at the MacArthur Foundation, he sees both the heart of the ministry and what makes a church grant application succeed.

We spoke with Rev. Jamar A. Boyd, II to uncover the #1 mistake places of worship make when applying for church grants — and what pastors and faith leaders can do to make their application stand out. 

Q: What is the #1 mistake places of worship make when applying for church grants? 

When asked about common mistakes faith leaders make when applying for church grants, Rev. Boyd was clear: Language is key.  

“Not understanding the language of philanthropy, but also philanthropy not understanding the language of the church.” 

That disconnect can hurt grant applications. 

They describe the same results — but if they’re not framed in the terms funders expect, the value of the work can be lost. 

He gives practical examples: For a soup kitchen, you might track how many days a week you’re open, how many meals you served, or outcomes like alleviated hunger. And for a youth program, you might track how many children attend and an outcome like improved reading scores. 

“At the end of the day, that’s all social impact. At the church, we would just say that’s transformation. That’s the mission. That’s doing the work. But if you want the money, you have to define it as impact.” 

Q: Are there other common mistakes churches make beyond language? 

Rev. Boyd points to three other areas that often trip up faith leaders: Budgets, storytelling, and making the ask. 

• Budgets matter. Churches need clear, intentional budgets that align with the goals of their proposal — not just hopeful estimates. “Name what you’re going to do, not just what you hope to do,” Rev. Boyd says. 

• Storytelling is powerful. Funders want the story behind the numbers. Even historical context shows depth, scope, and organizational capability. “You don’t have to capitulate to get money, but you do want to fall in line with what the grant is asking for,” Rev. Boyd explains. 

• Don’t undersell yourself. Many churches ask for far less than they need, assuming they won’t get the full amount. Rev. Boyd advises, “If it’s a $1 million grant, don’t just ask for $250,000 or $100,000 — go for the full amount. Show that your organization has the capacity to deliver.” 

By aligning these three factors and framing their work in the language of impact, churches can present their ministries in a way funders understand and value. 

Q: Why do you think these mistakes are so common? 

Rev. Boyd says it often comes down to knowledge.  

“There’s a lack of general knowledge of philanthropy or how philanthropy looks at things, whether it is impact, trying to understand a budget, or operational realities that come into play when it comes to determining someone’s ability to manage a grant.” 

Many faith leaders aren’t familiar with how philanthropy operates or what funders look for in terms of impact, budgets, and operations. 

• Operational structure. Funders may not directly support churches but can fund affiliated social impact initiatives. For example, Kenwood’s free clinic is a separate entity with its own board, even though church members serve on it. Understanding your structure is critical when applying for church grants. 

• Competition. Even generous foundations can only select a fraction of applicants. “Sometimes it’s not that the funder doesn’t want to fund you; there’s just limited money or prior commitments,” Rev. Boyd notes. 

• Relationships. Connections matter as much as applications. Introduce yourself to funders before applying and follow up afterward. These relationships help them understand your work and can improve your chances over time. 

In short, churches that take the time to understand the church grant application process and what funders are looking for are better positioned to secure grant funding.

Q: What about smaller places of worship that may not have the resources or capacity? 

When it comes to grant funding, smaller churches often wonder if they stand a chance against larger, more resourced organizations. According to Rev. Boyd, the answer depends largely on the funder. 

“A small family foundation that only grants about half a million a year may focus on smaller organizations or churches. But a mid-level funder, like a community foundation granting $5 million a year, may tend to look for organizations with a larger budget and staff.” 

For smaller churches, that reality can feel daunting — but it also opens the door to creative approaches. Rev. Boyd encourages leaders to ask some tough but important questions: 

• Do we have to do this alone? Partnering with another congregation or community organization can strengthen a proposal and expand capacity. 

• Can we use a fiscal sponsor? A larger nonprofit or denominational partner can sometimes manage the financial side of a grant, making it possible for a smaller church to receive funding it couldn’t access otherwise. 

• Why are we going after this money? Not every grant is a good fit. Leaders must determine whether their church has the capacity to deliver. If not, the best path may be to partner with another organization or work through a fiscal sponsor.

Q: When you see a strong church grant proposal, what stands out to you? 

When asked what qualities capture his attention in a church grant proposal, Rev. Boyd’s first response was surprisingly simple: answer the question and clearly communicate impact. 

Clear communication is only part of the equation, though. Strong proposals also demonstrate: 

• A forward-looking vision. Rev. Boyd cautioned against being overly focused on the past. Funders want to see commitment to current work and a thoughtful plan for the future. 

• Creativity and innovation. “Is this actually solving something? Is it a new approach? Is it engaging your local demographic?” he asked. Proposals that take risks or find unique ways to meet community needs often stand out. 

• Scalable impact. Contrary to the belief that success is measured only by reaching large numbers, Rev. Boyd pointed to growth potential as a key marker. “Year one is 25 people. Year two is 50 people. Year three is 75 people. That’s appealing in a grant application — when you’re realistic and intentional about your growth and impact.” 

And perhaps most importantly, relationship matters. 

“If you’ve built a relationship with the program officer, they’re already looking out for your application.” 

A well-written proposal paired with genuine connection gives your church an even greater chance of success. 

Q: What advice would you give to a pastor or faith leader applying for their very first church grant? 

For pastors and faith leaders applying for church grants for the very first time, Rev. Boyd’s encouragement is both practical and pastoral: 

Instead of treating rejection as failure, he encourages faith leaders to keep building relationships and refining their approach. Following up once or twice a year with a program officer, even briefly, helps keep the door open for future opportunities. 

What to do after a “no” 

Getting turned down for a grant can feel discouraging, but Rev. Boyd stressed that it can still be part of the learning process. 

• Do your research. Identify who the program officer or director is for the fund you applied to and follow up directly. 

• Ask for feedback. Some funders may not provide written explanations, but a quick phone call can sometimes open the door to constructive feedback. 

• Leverage training opportunities. Organizations like the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, denominational programs, or workshops by groups like the Oikos Institute for Social Impact can help leaders strengthen future applications. 

Above all, Rev. Boyd emphasized persistence: Keep learning, keep applying, and keep reaching out. A “no” today may set you up for a “yes” tomorrow. 

Key takeaways for faith leaders seeking church grants 

Whether your congregation is large or small, here are the most important lessons to remember: 

• Learn the language of impact. Funders speak in terms of “impact,” while churches often speak of “transformation.” They mean the same thing, but if you don’t frame your work in the language funders expect, your message may not land. 

• Align budgets with vision. A strong budget doesn’t just list numbers — it tells a story that matches the goals of your proposal. Define what you will do, not just what you hope to do. 

• Tell your story boldly. Share your church’s history, context, and impact with clarity. And don’t undersell yourself — ask for what you really need, and back it up with a compelling case. 

• Understand the landscape. Every funder is different. Smaller churches may find better alignment with family foundations or by applying with partners, while larger opportunities may require more infrastructure. 

• Build relationships early and often. Don’t wait until you need money to introduce yourself. Program officers and funders are more receptive when they know who you are before your application hits their desk. 

• See “no” as part of the journey. Rejection isn’t failure. Follow up, seek feedback, and invest in training opportunities that prepare you for the next application. 

At the heart of all this is persistence. As Rev. Boyd reminded: “Don’t let fear overshadow your faith.” Grant funding is competitive, but with the right language, strategy, and collaboration, places of worship can open new doors for ministry and community impact.