On May 6, 2021, the Metropolis of Chicago joyfully announced an exciting new initiative aimed at revitalizing our parishes—the Mustard Seed Fund! This innovative program is designed to stimulate parish growth through dynamic evangelism, warm welcomes, and impactful outreach efforts.
The Mustard Seed Fund is more than just financial support; it’s a catalyst for creativity and inspiration. Grants provided by this initiative aim to ignite and expand pioneering ministries and programs, igniting a passion in the hearts of a new generation of Orthodox Christians to engage meaningfully with the Church.
According to the Metropolis’ strategic plan, as highlighted in its Annual Impact Report, evangelism, welcoming, and outreach are identified as crucial areas bursting with potential—unmet needs that present incredible opportunities for the future growth of the Church.
Join us in nurturing these seeds of hope and transformation as we work together to cultivate a thriving community of faith!
The Mustard Seed Fund Grant is accepting applications.
In the past, the program operated on an annual grant basis, with applications reviewed and funding decisions made according to a fixed yearly cycle. Starting in 2025, the program will transition to a rolling format, enabling the committee to review and evaluate grant applications as they are submitted throughout the year. This new approach offers greater flexibility for both applicants and reviewers, allowing for more timely responses to funding requests and eliminating the constraints of rigid annual deadlines.
The purpose of the Mustard Seed Fund is to test and scale promising new ministries and programs that inspire and motivate a new generation of Orthodox Christians to participate in the church. Microgrants will be awarded to Metropolis of Chicago clergy and stewards seeking to develop and implement new or existing parish-level initiatives that advance evangelism, welcoming and outreach.
Throughout the year, those who are selected to receive a microgrant will:
- Receive funding and support to develop their proposed initiative/ministry.
- Refine initiatives and evaluate benchmark progress toward goals, assessing effectiveness of programming.
Upon completion of the first year, participants will present their proposed ministries to Metropolis. By sharing presentations, participants will learn from each other’s experiences and be better able to implement their ministries within their own parishes. In the future, successful ministries will be implemented at other parishes within the Metropolis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the financing for the Mustard Seed Fund originate?
Initially, the Metropolis kickstarted the program with a generous contribution of $20,000. Moving forward, the remaining funds will be sourced from a portion of the Annual Vision Campaign, ensuring that our community’s support directly fuels this vital initiative.
When is the application deadline?
There is no deadline as the program is now on a rolling format, enabling the committee to review and evaluate grant applications as they are submitted throughout the year.
Who should I contact if I’m having trouble uploading both the Priest letter and the Mustard Seed Application?
Please reach out to Fr. Luke Melackrinos at frluke@chicago.goarch.org or Magdalini Masouri at mmasouri@chicago.goarch.org.
Can I apply for one of these grants as a steward of my parish?
Yes! You can apply for the grant by yourself or with up to three others. One person needs to be the “lead” applicant, and the other participants will be listed for support. Please remember to reach out to your Parish Priest for assistance.
I am the parish priest, and I am applying for one of these grants for my church. Can I apply by myself, and if so, do I need to include a Parish Priest Letter of Support in my application?
Any clergyman who wishes to apply should discuss their idea with the Parish Council President and/or Fr. Dionysios Anagnostopoulos and obtain the Chancellor’s signature on the Parish Priest Letter of Support.
Can my proposed ministry be geared towards more than one, or none, of the three key categories included on the application (Evangelism, Welcome, and Outreach)? If so, how should I enter that on the application?
We invite parishioners and clergy to think broadly about their proposed ministry. You may find that your idea overlaps across the three categories. We ask that you choose one primary category and explain the overlap. However, all applications should have at least one component of evangelism, welcome, or outreach.
Are initiatives that have already been established eligible for these grants?
Yes. If your parish already has an initiative and you’d like to apply for a grant to enlarge or enhance your initiative, you are welcome to apply. Explain the existing initiative and how the grant would allow you to build upon that initiative.
Is there a maximum number of applications that can be submitted per parish?
Up to three applications may be submitted per parish per year.
When can I expect a response from the application committee, and will an interview be required?
The Metropolis will announce award recipients on a quarterly basis
If I am awarded a grant, how much money should I expect?
There is not a set amount per grant, as it will vary depending on the initiative. Applicants should indicate the amount requested in their application.
When can I launch my ministry at my parish?
Once you have fully developed your ministry and obtained approval from the Metropolis, you may launch your ministry at your parish.
