First Congregational Church of Pasadena 

United Church of Christ 

Outreach Grant FAQs 

What criteria do you use to determine which programs or projects to support? Grant funds are specifically for programs that benefit children and youth, underserved in access  to resources to meet needs, in the Pasadena area that are aligned with the church’s priorities and  values. Areas of priority are hunger and homelessness, historically and currently underserved and  marginalized communities, peace and justice, care for the environment, and advancing economic  justice.  

We are committed to forging relationships with organizations new to us while maintaining  connections with ones we have supported in the past. Previous grant recipients may not be  funded in successive years but we encourage them to apply again. 

If we have previously received a grant, may we apply for another one? 

Yes. Recipients of grants may or may not get grants in successive years. We are committed to  forging relationships with organizations new to us while maintaining connections with ones we  have supported in the past. To that end, we may not be able to provide resources for all  organizations each year. 

If we apply for another grant, would our chances of funding be greater with a different  project or more of what you funded previously? 

Organizations should apply for funding of their programs that have the greatest need. We  respond to whatever is the greatest need, rather than for something new. 

Do you offer grants for general operating expenses? 

Yes. We are happy to offer grants for ongoing programs. 

Do you offer grants for ongoing programs or just for new programs? 

Both 

Do you recommend a high degree of specificity in our request (such as a well-defined time limited project), or do you think more general support for our programs could be a  possibility? 

We support both specific, limited programs and general operating expenses. Again, it is our  sense of the greatest need which corresponds with our criteria. 

Does the number of children and/or youth served by the program matter? 

No. The grants committee might prioritize a program that serves a larger number of children and  youth.

Are the outreach grants only available to organizations with an active 501(c)(3) status or  are they also available to other types of entities or individuals that do charitable work as  well? 

We look for 501(c)(3) status for major grants and haven't given any grants to organizations  without such status so far. Our requirements for small grants are basically the same but we might  consider an organization without 501(c)(3) status for one of those. They would have to present a  very strong application and meet all the other requirements for us to even consider them. 

I'm thinking of requesting the funds for a 6-month period. However, if you prefer, we can  spread the project out for a 12-month time period. Would you let me know what you would  prefer? 

Use whichever timeline works best for you and that reflects your program. We've had six, nine,  and twelve month projects that have been funded, along with some that are for ongoing projects. 

You ask for a "detailed implementation plan for your project/activity/support," but  because it is an existing program that has been described in detail in the proposal, is it  necessary to repeat what has already been shared? 

Repetition is not really needed if the information is given in another part of the application. In  that case, you might want to mention where that information may be found. 

Is there an outreach grant award ceremony? 

We do not have an award ceremony for grant recipients but do ask that a representative of  organizations receiving major grants meet with the congregation on a Sunday to share a little  about their organization and what they are doing with our grant funds. The dates vary depending  on the church calendar. Additional written reports are also required. 

Is there any specific language we should use in a social media post? 

Please refer to the church as the First Congregational Church of Pasadena rather than as FCC  Pasadena or simply First Congregational Church. You could also add that people can learn more  about the Outreach Grants on the church website at www.uccpasadena.org. We list the grant  recipients on our website with a little information about their grant and a link to their websites.