A grant designed for ministry work that benefits women of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination

The Disciples Women’s Endowment Fund (DWEF) was established in 1990 as the Women’s Endowment Fund to provide the opportunity to contribute to a permanent fund that supports both the present and future work of women in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This fund allows both the donor and recipient the experience of making a tremendous impact in shaping the world through the ministry work funded through DWEF. Through this fund, ministry work aimed at helping women is manifested as the love of Jesus Christ is spread throughout both congregations and communities. The funds are invested through the Christian Church Foundation to keep pace with inflation and produce a steady income stream. Only the interest on the investments is used to support grant requests, and priority is given to the ministry, which benefits the entire women’s network. 

Funding Categories 

• Leadership Training: To provide educational opportunities that teach women the skills needed to become leaders in the church and strengthen their leadership abilities to serve others in their communities and beyond.
• Outreach Ministries: To provide opportunities for ministry which serve women locally and globally (e.g., justice, healing, and peace issues). General outreach projects are not considered.
• Scholarship Support: To assist women’s participation in opportunities that strengthen their faith, faith development, leadership training, and educational opportunities through scholarship assistance.                                                                 
• Faith Development: To provide spiritual growth opportunities for individuals and groups (e.g., retreats, spiritual direction, auditing courses, or mission trips).
• Women’s Programming: To assure that new and vital ministry continues to be developed and offered to the women of the chruch
• Interregional Events: To provide leadership development and training opportunities for Disciples Women across the five interregional segments: SERF, ROSES, HEARTLAND, NIRF OR WWOW during a planned gathering.

Grant Eligibility and Guidelines

• Applicants must be members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States or Canada. 
• Applications not affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will not be considered. 
• Applications originating outside the United States and Canada will not be considered. 
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. 
• Grants are intended to support programs and initiatives that edify and strengthen Disciples Women. 
• Grants are awarded as one-time distributions and are nonrenewable. 
• Previous grant recipients must wait for a minimum of four (4) grant cycles before applying for additional funding. 
• All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the DWEF Grants Committee. 
• Scholarship and Seminarian Grant funds will be issued directly to the institution or in the name of the recipient. 
• Grant funds may not be transferred to another entity once issued. 
• Grant funds will not be issued in the name of a church when:
  • the program or event is sponsored or supported by a single individual, or 
  • the individual hosting the event will personally receive compensation from the grant funds for services rendered. 
• Grants/scholarships for Seminarians: A maximum of one-third (1/3) of the total cost for a scholarship, event or mission trip will be considered.
• Women’s Action Web and Woman-to-Woman Worldwide:  For regions or constituencies that have previously participated in the program, funding may cover up to one-third (1/3) of the total program cost.For first-time participants, funding may cover up to two-thirds (2/3) of the total program cost. 
•  Interregional Gatherings:  Grant requests must not exceed $3,000.00.
• Grant/Scholarship funds must be used solely for the purpose outlined in the approved application. Any funds not used as indicated must be returned to the Office of Disciples Women to be placed in the Disciples Women’s Endowment Fund (DWEF). 

Complete the grant application along with supporting documents.

How Can You Support the Disciples Women’s Endowment Fund? 

• Create a planned gift. The Christian Church Foundation, one of the general units of the church, has numerous gift opportunities available that not only benefit the donor’s wishes but also can create a source of income for the donor. 

• Designate a percentage or a fixed dollar amount for the fund in your will or trust. 

• Establish a named fund ($1000 minimum) in memory or honor of someone. Once the fund is established, additional contributions may be made at any time. 

• Make an outright gift.  

• Designate the Disciples Women’s Endowment Fund as the beneficiary of insurance / IRAs. 

• Transfer stock. 

• Encourage others to include DWEF in their estate planning. 

• Gift Annuities. 

• Charitable Trusts. 

• For more information about how to make your tax-deductible donation, download the DWEF brochure.

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Previously awarded grants can be viewed here.