Who can apply?

Grants will be considered from the following:
  •  Congregations or groups of congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. 
  • The Office of the Bishop
  • Luther Springs (NovusWay)
  • ELCA Parish Nurse Association
  • Lutheran Campus Ministry
  • Other recognized ministries of the Florida-Bahamas Synod approved by the Synod Council
Eligible applicants may submit one application per grant season.
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Additional Requirements:
  • The applicant must have at least one representative participate in a V2A virtual workshop which explains the purpose of the grant program and provides important information about the application process.  If the applicant is a group of congregations, a representative should attend from each congregation.
  •  If the applicant is a congregation or group of congregations, each one needs to have made a commitment to Synod Mission Support and be fulfilling it and completed its Annual Trend Report. The Grant Team will verify this information.
  •  If the applicant is a congregation or group of congregations, each one needs to participate in the Synod Assembly and the Conference on Ministry.
  •  When congregations come together to request a grant, one of them should serve as Lead Congregation to receive and be accountable for the grant (further explained in the application guidelines).  

Funding Innovative Ministries

V2A is looking to award grant money to congregations and ministry partners that propose innovative ministry initiatives that grow the church and directly address one or more of the stated goals for 2024:​
  • Sharing Christ: Focusing on creating community;
  • Vital Congregations: Developing congregations and organizations as innovation centers;
  • Making Disciples: Re-focusing congregational practices on discipleship and lifelong learning rather than membership;
  • Doing Justice: Identifying community organizations for partnerships; and
  • Intentional Diversity: Growing churches and organizations that are active in their communities.
V2A generally does not fund the following:
  • New mission starts
  • Church maintenance and repairs
  • Regularly occurring budget items
  • Existing ministry programs (unless moving into a new or expanded area of ministry)
  • Building programs (note that building improvements and other capital expenses directly related to the new ministry will be considered)
  • Salaries (this does not include the cost of consultants, or the launching of a position with salary requirements that can be sustained beyond the grant)​ ​

Suggested Timeline

Attend a mandatory V2A Introductory Virtual Workshop  
This session will help you learn about the grant process and have ample time to complete it.  Workshop dates:
  • Thursday, February 29 at 2 pm
  • Tuesday, March 5 at 7 pm
  • Friday, March 8 at 11 am
  • Thursday, March 14 at 2 pm
  • Wednesday, March 20 at 1 pm
  • Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm
  • Monday, April 8 at 7 pm
  • Tuesday, April 9 at 2 pm​
  • Friday, May 10 at 2 pm
  • Synod Assembly Workshop "Innovation and the Local Congregation" - June 1 at 2:15 pm
  • Thursday, June 20 at 1 pm
Complete the Project Idea Form by June 1, 2024
Once you have developed an idea, complete the Project Idea Form and submit it through the V2A website.  You will receive feedback about your project and whether yours is the type of project V2A will consider.  This is not an indication of funding, but rather, a “green light” to move ahead with applying.  V2A recommends you submit your Project Idea Form by June 1.  This leaves six weeks for you to write the application, gather supporting documentation, and submit everything by the deadline.
Application Deadline: July 15, 2024
The application and all supporting documentation MUST be submitted to the V2A website by July 15, 2024. No applications are received after midnight on this date.
Decisions: November 1, 2024
Applicants will be notified via email of grant decisions by November 1, 2024.
Funds Disbursed: November 30, 2024 
Funding of grants will be completed by November 30, 2024.
REMEMBER!
Application deadline is July 15, 2024.
Your V2A project must:
  • Reflect innovation
  • Provide opportunities for intentional evangelism
  • Invite people into a deeper relationship with God
  • Address at least one of the five goals for 2024
Though smaller and larger amounts will be considered, ​average grant awards are anticipated to be between
​$5,000 and $25,000. Those receiving a grant may be awarded the entire amount requested, or may receive a partial award. 
The Florida-Bahamas Synod has a  ​total of up to $600,000 available to grant in 2024. 

    Questions? Contact the V2A Grant Team here.
Vision to Action is a program of the Florida-Bahamas Synod.

V2A Final Report Form