Loaves and Fishes Fund Grants

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Next deadline: Jan 6, 2024 8:59pm PST (Pre proposal)

Later deadlines: Feb 6, 2024 8:59pm PST (Full proposal), Jan 6, 2025 8:59pm PST (Pre proposal), Feb 6, 2025 8:59pm PST (Full proposal)

Grant amount: US $5,000 - US $15,000

Funding uses: Project / Program

Location of project: Counties in Massachusetts: Franklin County, Hampshire County

Location of residency: Counties in Massachusetts: Franklin County, Hampshire County

Overview:

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

Loaves & Fishes Fund

This opportunity supports liberal and reformed, Protestant churches in Hampshire and Franklin counties putting faith in action.  This funding benefits churches that are implementing or are seeking to implement projects using creative and novel new modes of religious activities to meet human needs in the region.  

A total of $78,000 has been reserved for this opportunity with the expectation that award amounts will range between $5,000 and $15,000.  This funding can support projects for up to 24-months.

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Eligibility:

• Eligible churches must have their own IRS designated 501(c)(3) ruling, be covered by a group ruling exemption, or meet the IRS attributes common for churches.  
• The churches must be in Hampshire or Franklin counties in Massachusetts.
• Projects must include specific religious activities.
• Only one application per church will be considered.
• Churches are welcome to collaborate.
• Funds may support the following:
  • Direct and indirect costs associated with the project. 
    • These costs may include, and are not limited to, staffing, materials and supplies, equipment, renting of space, utilities, and subcontracts.  
      

Ineligibility:

• Funds may NOT support the following:
  • Requests from churches with are “fundamentalist” or which believe in a strict literal interpretation of the Christian scripture.
  • Projects that influence legislation or election campaigns.
  • Endowments
  • Facility campaigns, building repairs or maintenance needs.
  • Church operating needs beyond those costs associated with the implementation of the project.
  • Social action efforts that do not include concrete religious’ activity.