Local Mission Grant Program

The First Presbyterian Local Mission Community Grant Program seeks to support nonprofit organizations and ministries that care for and protect vulnerable people in Washtenaw County and Metro Detroit. We seek to partner with organizations whose programs address the disparities that keep people in poverty. We value groups that tackle structural social inequities and build strong communities.

We invite applications for awards up to $6,000 that reduce poverty by addressing disparities in access to:

  •       Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Treatment
  •       Academic Success and/or Stable Employment
  •       Stable Shelter and Affordable Housing

Organizations must:

  • Be based in Washtenaw County or Metro Detroit
  • Have 501(c)3 status or a fiscal agent that does
  • Have an active board of directors
  • Increase access to services for the most vulnerable people in our community
  • Articulate how the organization addresses inequity and empowers at risk individuals and/or communities
  • Have a system in place for defining and measuring program outcomes
  • Demonstrate solid financial standing
  • Affirm that the organization does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, color, ancestry, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, mental health disability or national origin      

Preference will be given to proposals from organizations that:

  •       Are smaller, for which the grant will have a larger impact
  •       Serve communities with the highest rates of poverty
  •       Address root causes of disparities and have a lasting impact

Applications are due by April 30, 2024 and must include:

  •        Completed application form (link)
  •        Organization’s budget for last year and this year
  •        Project/program budget if request is for a discrete project or program
  •        Current Board of Directors

Applications will be evaluated by several members of the Local Mission Committee.

Click here to apply online.

Notification about awards will be made by May 31, 2024. Checks will be sent by US mail in June 2024. 

We welcome feedback about our application process, please contact us with comments or questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Peace!

Martha Kershaw,  Local Mission Grant Coordinator                                                    Rev. Mark Mares, Local Mission Staff Liaison

Past Recipients of Local Grants

2023

  • Cass Community Social Services – Prevent evictions by paying off utility arrears
  • Corner Health Center – Support groups for trans/non-binary youth and their families
  • Domestic Violence Project – Wraparound support for families at SafeHouse Center
  • Ele’s Place – School based grief support groups for youth
  • Friends In Deed – Assistance with utility bills, transportation and furniture
  • Friends In Deed – Circles intensive individual poverty reduction program
  • Girls Group – College visits and support for girls without resources
  • Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley - our congregation’s participation in the House of Faith
  • Hope Clinic – Psychiatric care for people without insurance
  • IHN at Alpha House – Providing shelter and services for homeless families
  • Peace Neighborhood Center – College and Career Preparation
  • Shelter Assn. Washtenaw County  – On-site mental health case worker at the Delonis Shelter
  • SOS Community Services – Rapid Rehousing program for homeless families

2022

  • Avalon Housing: Supportive Affordable Housing
  • Cass Community Social Services: Utility Arrears Payment Program
  • Corner Health Center: Young Men’s support group
  • Dawn Farm: Scholarship Fund for Addiction Treatment
  • Friends In Deed: Assistance for bills, furniture and transportation
  • Friends In Deed: Circles Program
  • Habitat for Humanity: House of Faith
  • Hope Clinic: Psychiatry services for un-insured patients
  • IHN at Alpha House: Shelter and Support for homeless families
  • Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice: Warrant Resolution Project
  • Ozone House: Mental Health Program
  • SafeHouse: Fresh Start Fund
  • Shelter Assn. Washtenaw County: Mental Health Case Worker
  • SOS Community Service: Rapid Rehousing for homeless families

2021 

  • Community Action Network: “Strive to Thrive” Social Emotional Learning program for elementary age children
  • Friends In Deed: general operating funds and the Circles Program
  • Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley: House of Faith
  • Hope Clinic: Psychiatry services for un-insured patients
  • IHN at Alpha House: shelter and support for homeless families
  • Michigan Ability Partners: housing and vocational support for veterans and persons with disabilities
  • Ozone House: outreach van for youth services
  • Peace Neighborhood Center: College and Career Prep program for high-school age youth
  • Shelter Assn. Washtenaw Cnty: re-opening of 2nd floor of Delonis Shelter for homeless adults
  • SOS Community Service: rapid rehousing for homeless families
  • Washtenaw Housing Alliance: landlord recruitment and engagement

2020 

  • Ozone House - Supportive Housing for at risk youth
  • Habitat for Humanity - House of Faith home renovation
  • Community Action Network - Social Emotional Learning Program
  • Cass Community Social Services - Street Outreach Van
  • IHN at Alpha House - Family Homeless Shelter
  • Hope Medical Clinic - Psychiatry Services for uninsured people
  • Corner Health Center – Telehealth Services for at-risk youth
  • Friends In Deed – Support services to address poverty and prevent financial crisis
  • Peace Neighborhood Center – College and Career Prep Program
  • Riverside Gathering – weekly community meal at First Pres. Ypsilanti
  • Food Gatherer’s – Community Kitchen at Delonis Center

2019 

  • Ozone House - Mental Health for At Risk College Students
  • Habitat of Huron Valley - House of Faith
  • Fort Street Presbyterian – Community Garden and Nutrition Education
  • Cass Community SS - Lots for Tiny Homes
  • Hope Clinic - Mental Health for Uninsured
  • Community Action Network - Brick School Community Center
  • Community Action Network - Housing Support Program
  • (IHN) Alpha House – Family Shelter
  • Friends in Deed – Emergency Assistance
  • Peace Neighborhood - College Prep
  • Riverside Gathering - Weekly Dinner
  • Breakfast at St. Andrew's ICPJ - Poverty Narratives