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
PLEASE NOTE:
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.
- Grant 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).
Return the completed grant application along with supporting documents to: Contact us
Emails should include the subject line: DWEF Application Spring/Fall <year>
Young Women’s Initiative
To provide scholarships for young women graduating from high school and entering a community college, trade school, or four-year college or university in the fall semester. Please submit your completed package with your application and two reference letters for consideration for scholarship for the 2026 – 2027 school year.
Applications for the Young Women’s Initiative Scholarship must be received by March 15. Emails should include the subject line: YWI Application Spring<year>
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.
Need the free Acrobat reader? Visit the Adobe Acrobat Reader download site.
Previously awarded grants can be viewed here.
