First Home Grant Program
Statement of Purpose
The primary purpose of the Unitarian Universalist (UUA) First Home Grant Program is to facilitate the continued growth, in the broadest sense of the term, of member societies seeking to purchase their first piece of land and/or building or to build its first spiritual home. The UUA First Home Grant Program is not designed for congregations who already own a building.
Grant Amount
A congregation may qualify for a grant equal to ten percent of its capital campaign pledges. The grant will be paid in its entirety upon approval. There is a $25,000 maximum limit to any grant.
Grant Guidelines
- Application: The congregation must submit a grant application which
will include a detailed membership growth plan describing its commitment to and
capacity for growth, in the broadest sense of the term.
- Capital Campaign: The congregation must complete a capital campaign.
This special fund drive raises money for a capital project, and is in addition
to money raised to support the annual operating budget. Most capital campaign
pledges are payable over two to five years. A letter is required from the
congregation's governing body stating that the amount pledged is equivalent to
at least three times the congregational pledges to the most recent annual
canvass.
- Debt Service: The congregation's debt service on all its debt must
not exceed twenty-five percent of its annual operating budget in the financial projections of
all future years.
- Annual Program Fund Fair Share Status: The congregation must be a
Fair Share member of the Annual Program Fund.
- Phase I Environmental Study: A Phase I Environmental Study will be
required of the congregation. A Phase II Environmental Study will be required if
the Phase I Study is unsuccessful. In addition the congregation is urged to
become familiar with any real or looming environmental hazards on its property
(e.g. buried oil storage tanks, lead paint, asbestos, etc.). Congregations
seeking a grant to purchase property are urged to include completion of a
satisfactory Phase I Environmental Study into its purchase and sales agreement.
- Insurance Coverage: The congregation must adopt the minimum
recommended limits of insurance coverage that is required of all applicants.
These limits are defined on the last page of the grant application.
- In the event of congregational dissolution, all outstanding debts shall be paid. The remaining assets, both real and personal, and including all property heretofore and hereinafter donated to said congregation, shall become the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or its successor, subject to all applicable laws
Steps in the Review Process
- The director of Congregational
Stewardship Services (CSS) receives the completed first home grant application.
The application is checked for completeness and each section is reviewed for
accuracy and consistency. The congregation is contacted if any information is
missing or if further documentation is needed.
- The application is evaluated using the
first home grant requirements. The congregation is contacted if further
information is needed. The director of CSS then makes a recommendation to the
UUA treasurer.
- The application and recommendation is
sent to the office of the UUA treasurer who reviews the application and
considers the recommendation of the director of CSS. The treasurer, in
cooperation with the director of CSS, makes a decision for action. The decision
may be to approve, approve with contingencies, or decline the application.
- The director of CSS is notified of the application decision and the congregation is contacted.
The Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
UUA grants are made available to Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations as a result of generous grants from the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock and gifts from individual donors. The Veatch Program promotes the growth of UU congregations through its support of this UUA program. Please join us in expressing gratitude to them for their commitment and generosity. Please acknowledge them wherever appropriate in all printed materials.
For more information contact congstewardship @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.
