From time to time the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan makes available grants and scholarships to training and education events for clergy and laity of Michigan area United Methodist churches. Please check back often as new opportunities become available. This is a great way to stretch your budget for training and education!

Clergy Benefits AcademyReceive a $500 grant when you learn more about personal financial planning and GBOPHB benefits

The United Methodist General Board of Pension and Health Benefits invites you to attend the 2 ½ day Clergy Benefits Academy! The Clergy Benefits Academy is for all ages and stages of ministry-new ordinands, early-career clergy, mid-career clergy, ready-to-retire clergy, district superintendents, clergy in extension ministries-and spouses. A wide variety of classes scheduled in 90 minutes sessions are for everyone! Plan now to attend! The Clergy Benefits Academy is held semi-annually in various locations throughout the United States. This event is a unique opportunity to learn about the many benefit, financial planning, and estate planning issues that affect your life and ministry. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available. For more details and registration, please visit the event page of the GBOPHB website.

The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan offers a limited number of $500 grants to participating clergy who have been recommended by their District Superintendent to attend.

Grant Reimbursement Application Form

An Energizing Event for Young Clergy

New to ministry? Or have you been around awhile? Looking for new ideas? Trying to figure out the best approach? Want to be energized? Inspired? Informed? Put yourself at the top of your list! For more details and registration information, visit the revitup!...For a Lifetime of Ministry! website.

The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, in partnership with Lilly Endowment, Inc., Wespath Benefits and Investments, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church (GBHEM), is honored to partner in a major matching scholarship program for seminarians. The purpose of this scholarship is minimize the dependency of seminarians on student loans and to create greater personal financial literacy among the recipients. The $2,500 Foundation scholarship is matched by three (3) other equal matching scholarships (Lilly Endowment, GBHEM, and the United Methodist seminary). Thus, a qualified student receives a total scholarship of $10,000.00 per year.

Scholarship Criteria:

United Methodist enrolled certified candidate for ministry (elder or deacon)

Demonstrated merit, progress, and commitment in the candidacy process

MDIV student enrolled at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries/schools of theology

Full-time student

Demonstrated financial need and how this scholarship will help avoid additional student loans

Completion of personal financial planning with an EY financial advisor

Approval to receive the award through scholarship committee review from all matching partners

Interested students may apply directly online with GBHEM between January 3rd and March 1st each year at gbhem.org. Students should choose to apply for the "EXCELLENCE IN CLERGY LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP" on the first page of the application. Applicants must reapply each year.

United Methodist Foundation of Michigan Leadership Scholars Program for Seminary Students

The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan is proud to partner with the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to award scholarship funds to seminary students. These funds have been established by individuals and local churches to financially assist clergy of the West Michigan Conference who are pursuing their seminary degree.

Qualified applications may receive up to $10,000 annually for full-time students ($5000 for part-time). To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a certified candidate under the supervision of the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

Be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student and attend a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and approved by the University Senate of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church

Demonstrate exceptional leadership capacity to address the opportunities and challenges facing The United Methodist Church

Declare an intent to serve for a minimum of five (5) years on a deacon or elder track within the Michigan Area of The United Methodist Church

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher

Provide personal financial information to demonstrate financial need

Be recommended by the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

Candidates recommended by the W Michigan Board of Ordained Ministry have been notified of the application process as of 1/25/2018. Please contact us for more information.

United Methodist Quadruple Dollars for Scholars — Receive up to $4,000 per academic year toward undergraduate or seminary education

The United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program sponsored by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation provides $1,000 matching scholarships to United Methodist full-time students who have received a $1,000 scholarship from their local United Methodist church to help them attend a United Methodist-related college, university, or seminary. The Quadruple Your Dollars component of the program includes additional contributions of $1,000 each from the college, university, or seminary and the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. Quadruple Your Dollars scholarships are awarded annually by the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan and the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Qualified applicants must be an active member of a United Methodist church with funds invested in the UMF Collective Investment Funds of Michigan LLC for a minimum of one (1) year prior to applying for the scholarship. For more information about requirements and the online application form, visit the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation website.

The Wayne C. Barrett Steward Leader Award was established by action of the Board of Directors of the Foundation upon Dr. Barrett’s retirement as President and Executive Director. The purpose of this award is to honor up to four United Methodist congregations across the Michigan Conference for their exemplary stewardship ministry and culture of generosity.

Qualified applicants must submit an application prior to February 28th of the year in which they are to be considered for the award. Award recipients must meet a number of eligibility requirements including:

Have funds invested in the UMF Collective Investment Funds of Michigan LLC

Have contributed 100% of its conference ministry shares for the previous year and be current in contributions for the present fiscal year

Demonstrate a collaborative relationship between the pastor and laity in providing leadership in the area of financial stewardship

Articulate a clearly defined mission and vision for the church

Adhere to the financial procedures and protocol as defined in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, including but not limited to: Socially responsible investing, Annual financial review, Cash management and IRS-compliant donor contribution statements

Provide an advance indication of their intent for the awarded funds’ usage

Award recipients shall be selected by the Awards and Grants Committee of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and notified in early May. Awards will be presented by a member of the Foundation staff to local church leaders during a worship service or other appropriate occasion. For more information, please contact us.