Outreach and Social Justice

The Outreach and Social Justice Committee has in recent years had responsibility for the oversight and approval of grant applications for two sources of funds for domestic outreach projects: 1) a line item in the Diocese of Vermont annual operating budget; and 2) Initiative IV of the McClure Discipleship/Discovery 2000 Funds, the Diocesan Outreach Fund for Congregations. Beginning with the diocesan budget for 2012, all outreach grants, including those for global outreach, are funded through Initiative IV. Available funds for 2012 are being divided into three pots, one each for: 1) domestic outreach applications normally submitted for funding through the diocesan budget; 2) domestic outreach applications normally submitted for Initiative IV funds; and 3) global outreach applications previously supported through the diocesan budget.

For 2012, all grant awards will be capped at $500, due to the limited amount of funds available ($7200 total for all three categories. The application deadline is October 1, 2012, though some applications may be considered as received.

Click here for a roster of Outreach & Social Justice Committee members.

Applications for domestic outreach activities previously supported by the budget should be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (use Initiative IV form), or mail to: 100 Eastview Terrace, Apt. 119, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Applications for new projects should be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (use Initiative IV form), or use the mailing address on the form.

Visit the Global Reconciliation Committee page for information about global outreach projects. Use this application form (submission information is on the form.

Below is a description of the domestic outreach activities that are eligible for funding under Initiative IV, criteria for awarding grants and application information.

Initiative IV
Diocesan Outreach Fund For Congregations

Each congregation is invited to request (through the Outreach and Social Justice Committee of Diocesan Council) seed funds for outreach projects they feel called to sponsor. Habitat for Humanity, food banks, shelters, thrift stores and fuel assistance are only a sample of the ways we could extend our mission to our communities.” *from the Discovery 2000 prospectus. The application form may be downloaded here.

1. The McClure Discipleship/Discovery 2000 Initiative Four is administered by the Outreach and Social Justice Committee of Diocesan Council.
2. Congregations, Regional Ministries, and Deaneries may apply to the McClure Discipleship/Discovery 2000 Outreach Fund.
3. The emphasis is on local Outreach projects. Applications that emphasize outreach work beyond the walls of the Church will be most favorably received.
4. The Fund is currently invested in the Unit Funds. The Fund will use income as distributed by the Unit Fund.
5. The Outreach and Social Justice Committee will make disbursement reports to Diocesan Council.

Initiative Four Grant Criteria
As adopted by the Diocesan Council December 1, 2001

1. Grant funds will be available for outreach and social justice initiatives. The funds will be used primarily for seed money. Examples of outreach projects include food banks, shelters, thrift stores, and fuel assistance.
Social Justice is a general area of ministry that arises out or our baptismal promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves” and “striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being”.

Social Justice includes economic justice. The social justice ministry attempts to address the fundamental causes of social justice problems perhaps through legislation or empowering local groups to address their needs. It addresses systemic problems. Examples of social justice projects include:
• Efforts to address the lack of affordable housing in a community
• Education and support for the implementation of a livable wage for workers in the community and in the State.
• Collaboration with interfaith and other social justice projects in the community and State.
• Initiatives to address racism in the community
• Efforts to get community and government support for high quality and affordable child care services
• Support for initiatives to reduce domestic violence and child and adult sexual assault

Funds can be used for community and organizational development. Projects should demonstrate the involvement of the client.

2. Goal: 50% of the funds will be dedicated to outreach and 50% to social justice.
3. Projects will serve people who are not members of the parish and are at risk.
4. Projects should serve the community within the reach of the parish. Limited funding will be available to support mission projects such as Honduras and El Salvador.
5. The vestry will commit matching funds at the time of the grant application.
6. Applications demonstrate evidence of parishioner involvement in project.
7. Applications are considered 4 times a year
8. $2,000 is the maximum grant award. (For 2012, the maximum is $500).
9. Deadlines for submission of applications to the Outreach and Social Justice Committee are January 15 for action by February 28, April 15 for action by May 31, July 15 for action by August 31 and October 15 for action by November 30. In 2012, the deadline is October 1, 2012.