Olympia Presbytery Grants

Olympia Presbytery offers grants to congregations and new worshiping communities to spur revitalization and creativity in ministry. These grants are administered by the Leadership Council in cooperation with the Commission on Ministry.

Additionally we offer two grants overseen by the Commission on Preparation for Ministry: (click the Apply for CPM Grants button to learn more)

The Miriam Snow Mathes Internship Fund for congregations

This fund was established in 1993 for the purpose of providing support of one or more seminary students with internship experiences of up to one year in local congregations within the bounds of the Presbytery of Olympia. Congregations apply to CPM, and the funds are open for any intern under care in the PC(USA) who is currently enrolled in seminary studies. 

Eugene and Helen Cook Scholarship Fund (for people under care)

This fund was established in 2003 for those pursuing ordained ministry and are under care of the Olympia Presbytery. The fund is open to seminary students "who have satisfactorily completed two years of study and may be used for all study beyond such two years designed for ordained ministry preparation.”  

Five things to know about OlyPres Grant-making: 

1. More than one church may be co-applicants for a shared ministry experiment. Churches may collaborate across denominational lines. 

2. A grant application advocate from COM or Leadership Council is encouraged. Help in identifying an advocate is available.

3. Matching funds from the applicant(s) may include other grants from the local community. 

4. Grant funds may be allocated on a staggered basis (for example, if the request is $15,000, to award $5,000 for the first stage; and $10,000 upon completion of an agreed upon goal or target). 

5. Churches affiliated with Olympia Presbytery by history, merger, or pastoral leadership are eligible to apply.

We hope that these grants are large enough to generate imagination and energy, and small enough to allow us to offer as many grants as possible from the Presbytery’s available resources. 

Matching funds grants may be awarded for: 

Capital expenses for technology, remodel, or repair of facilities for use in revitalization 

Developing a comprehensive web and social media presence 

Establishing a community garden, food bank or housing for poor and homeless in our community 

Staffing that connects the membership with an unreached or underserved demographic 

Contracting with a Vital Congregations Coach 

Staff & Structure Grants: 

It is recommended that Presbytery provide churches grants for up to ½ the cost of working with a mission coach, trainer, or consultant. These grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis.