Last Round of Vital Right Shaped Ministries’ Vitality and Innovation Grants Awarded

On June 16, 2022, the New and Renewing Team met to review the 2022 VRSM Vitality and Innovation grant applications. Four congregations and ministries in the Grand Canyon Synod were awarded a total of $16,000: Vida Nueva, Lutheran Campus Ministry (ASU, UA, NAU), Central Lutheran’s ACE Program (Adult Community Education), and Trinity Lutheran’s Food Bank.

This grant is part of the Lilly 3E initiative that the Grand Canyon Synod to part of in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Synod and the Lilly Endowment. Part of partnership was funded by the Growing Generosity Appeal, which thanks to the generosity of individuals and congregations now exceeds $600,000.   

The decision to grant a ministry or congregation was not taken lightly. After scoring each grant, the team had to consider three very important factors. First, did the application fit the spirit of the Lilly 3E VRSM Vitality and Innovation Grants, which in the end must demonstrate that the activity will lead to health and vitality of the congregation in order that it can be better poised to support their pastor face economic challenges? Second, we had limited funding, which we had to make sure it made the biggest impact. Finally, is there opportunity for the application to receive funding from another source?

These VRSM Vitality and Innovations Grants are intended to help congregations become vital and healthy by defining their values, strengthening their mission, noticing their context, and evaluating their ministry. Vital and healthy congregations are better equipped to support their pastoral leaders and therefore help tackle the economic challenges facing pastoral leaders.

Thanks to all those all who have contributed to the Growing Generosity Appeal for making these last two years of VRSM grants possible.