Ministry Support Fund
Ministry Support Fund supports United Methodist annual conferences in funding clergy development and care to address emerging needs among those serving in licensed and ordained ministry.
Funder: General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
Due Dates: Rolling (Applications) | October 1, 2026 (Cycle opened)
Funding Amounts: $25,000–$50,000 per grant; up to $1 million allocated annually; renewable up to a maximum of four years
Summary: Supports annual conferences in developing and caring for clergy facing emerging needs in licensed and ordained ministry.
Key Information: Only annual conferences and annual conference entities may apply.
Description
The Ministry Support Fund is a General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) program supporting the development and care of clergy within The United Methodist Church. It addresses emerging needs related to licensed and ordained ministry, providing grants to annual conferences for clergy support.
The fund is part of the broader grantmaking work of GBHEM and Global Ministries, which strengthens education, leadership development, mission engagement, and local ministry. GBHEM works with people and partners around the world to connect the church and the academy and prepare transformative leaders for the church and the world. Within that wider mission, this fund focuses specifically on the people serving in ministry and their development and care.
