Grant Programs
September 2007
Under current WELS CEF policy, mission congregations have the opportunity to access loans and grants through WELS CEF. All grants are provided through the WELS CEF Assistance Fund. Gifts and bequests made to WELS CEF are the primary sources of income for the Assistance Fund. Currently the following types of grant programs are supported by the Assistance Fund:
1 to 1 Matching Grants – Land Purchase and Facility Construction
Who is eligible: Congregations that received mission development status prior to July 1, 2002,
Eligible Projects:
1.) Approved WEF expansion projects.
2.) Mother-Daughter congregation projects.
3.) Dual or Multi-site Operations.
4.) Campus Ministry projects
Land Purchases: The congregation's down payment on the land purchase is matched with a 1:1 grant. A minimum 10% down payment is required. Up to a 20% down payment will be matched dollar-for-dollar. The matching grant applies only to the first 5 acres purchased. Any land purchase over 5 acres will result in a prorated grant.
Facility Construction: The congregation's down payment on the facility construction project is matched with a 1:1 grant. A 20% down payment based on the total project cost is required. The matching grant is based on the construction costs for the first 5,000 square feet. Any facility project over 5,000 square feet will result in a prorated grant.
4 to 1 Matching Grants -- Land Purchase
Who is eligible: Congregations that receive mission development status after July 1, 2002.
Land Purchases: The congregation's 10% down payment on the land purchase is matched 4:1 with a 4:1 grant. The matching grant applies only to the first 5 acres purchased. Any land purchase over 5 acres will result in a prorated grant.
Facility Construction: The congregation's 10% down payment on the facility construction project is matched with a 2:1 grant. The matching grant is based on the construction costs for the first 5,000 square feet. Any facility project over 5,000 square feet will result in a prorated grant.
2 to 1 Matching Grants – Facility Construction
Who is eligible: Congregations that receive mission development status after July 1, 2002.
Land Purchases: The congregation's 10% down payment on the land purchase is matched 4:1 with a 4:1 grant. The matching grant applies only to the first 5 acres purchased. Any land purchase over 5 acres will result in a prorated grant.
Facility Construction: The congregation's 10% down payment on the facility construction project is matched with a 2:1 grant. The matching grant is based on the construction costs for the first 5,000 square feet. Any facility project over 5,000 square feet will result in a prorated grant.
See revised Project Categories for Capital Funding Projects/ CEF Grant and Loan Programs document for definitions.