2027 Synod Grant Webinar Recording and Resources Now Available
The 2027 Grand Canyon Synod Grant webinar recording, presentation slides, application materials, and complete grant guidelines are now available at gcsynod.org/grants. Congregations and ministries considering an application are encouraged to review these resources now and begin preparing proposals ahead of the Friday, September 25, 2026, deadline.
Click here to view our webinar, with passcode: 0@nwj^X2
Approximately $175,000 is available for grants this cycle, with individual awards of up to $15,000. Eligible applicants include organized Grand Canyon Synod congregations, Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs), Synodically Authorized Outreach Ministries (SAOMs), and Strategic Ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod.
Watch the webinar and review the slides
The August 25 Grant Application Webinar and Q&A walked applicants through the 2027 grant process, including the timeline, important application requirements, allowable and non-allowable uses of grant funds, a tour of the grants website and application process, advice from the Grants Committee, and questions from participants.
Visit gcsynod.org/grants to:
View our webinar, with passcode: 0@nwj^X2
Download the grant application.
Review eligibility, funding guidelines, allowable expenses, deadlines, and submission instructions.
What applicants should know
The Grand Canyon Synod Grant supports specific new or continuing projects that advance one, two, or three goals of the Grand Canyon Synod Strategic Plan. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate new and innovative approaches, as well as projects involving collaboration with another ELCA ministry.
Grant funds may support such expenses as educational and marketing materials, essential equipment, ELCA youth camp and gathering scholarships, worship and program materials, short-term consultant stipends or honoraria, certain ELCA-related travel, and qualifying food pantry building repairs. Salaries, ongoing operating expenses, recreational or social activities, unrelated equipment and individual-interest travel are among the expenses that cannot be funded.
Applications must be complete and include a Statement of Financial Position for the applying organization. Congregations must also provide the amount of mission support given to the Grand Canyon Synod last year or currently pledged.
Completed applications must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants will be notified during the week of January 25, 2027, following Grants Committee review and Synod Council approval. Funding begins in February 2027.
These grants are made possible through the generosity of people and ministries across the church—including bequests, congregational gifts, proceeds from closed congregations, support from the West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop, and unrestricted gifts to the synod. Together, these resources become another way we participate in God’s work: equipping ministries to experiment, collaborate, serve their neighbors, and respond faithfully to opportunities in their communities.
Start at gcsynod.org/grants. Review the guidelines carefully, watch the webinar, download the slides and application, and begin preparing your proposal.
Questions may be directed to Theresa Thornburgh in the Office of the Bishop at office@gcsynod.org or 602-957-3223.
