NEXT STEPS Support Ministry

The most effective social and human service programs are long-lasting for two reasons: 1) more lives benefit from the services provided and 2) the invested stewardship of time, skills, and money multiply to enhance the outreach of God’s people into the lives and communities they touch.

As an applicant or recipient (grantee) of Tangible Love or World Hunger funding, it is imperative you plan for your program’s future. That requires attention to organizational structure and fundraising at every step of program development as you envision the difference your program will make in the lives of those you interact with through the services you provide.

Tangible Love and World Hunger grants are “seed” money-the financial capital that allows you to provide services while establishing roots in your community as a compelling resource that tangibly expresses its love and concern for people in need. The money covers the initial costs of recruiting and training volunteers, structuring the operations of the program, and identifying long-term funding sources.

Sometimes the “next steps” of continued funding seem overwhelming for program personnel unfamiliar with nonprofit strategies. While multi-sources of funding are vital, the one resource many organizations rely on is grant funding and grants often seem very complex. However, when approached in small increments with attention to details, grants are in fact practical and achievable as a substantial funding source.

To encourage and support long-lasting programs, the Tangible Love and World Hunger funding committees now provide an interactive NEXT STEPS support ministry consisting of four emergent components:

1. Web pages that provide numerous resources and information as well as a feedback link at www.CofChrist.org/grantwriting.
   
2. Professional assistance (mentoring) to answer questions and provide limited direction through project consultant Brenda Williams at  visconsultants@kc.rr.com. Please understand that Brenda cannot guarantee receipt of any grant, but does offer her expertise and years of experience from a Euro-American perspective.
   
3. Training components in two areas: 1) faith-based mission center model for social ministry, and 2) training materials for local or regional workshops on organizational structure, fund development, and nonprofit management.
   
4. Resource and referral information on professional and volunteer grant writers or grant financial management (if needed) and/or nonprofit-related workshops through contact with Brenda Williams at visconsultants@kc.rr.com. 

The staff enthusiastically anticipates your input to guide the effective development of this ministry’s content and substance. To evaluate the effectiveness of the support ministry, we sincerely request your feedback about what resources are beneficial and what is missing or needs clarification.  Furthermore, your responsiveness in providing a compilation of success stories, additional resource links, and new ideas to consider will tremendously enhance the value of this new partnership within Christ’s community.