Eight Church of the Brethren Congregations Receive Final BFIA Grants for Community Outreach and Service

Breaking: Eight Church of the Brethren Congregations Receive Final BFIA Grants for the Year

The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has announced its year‑end grants to eight Church of the Brethren congregations, directing support to outreach ministries tied to camps and local congregations. Fueled by proceeds from the sale of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, maryland, these funds aim to sustain the center’s legacy while addressing current community needs.

Recipients span Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Ohio, Kansas, and Virginia, with grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. The awards cover a mix of practical aid, community outreach, and leadership development intended to uplift families and neighbors in challenging times. For more data on BFIA and how to apply, visit brethren.org/faith-in-action.

Grant recipients And Impacts

Congregation	Location	Grant	Purpose
Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren	Peoria, Arizona	$5,000	Opening plans for a new worship center, including signage, digital presence, and a neighborhood grand opening.
Jesus Lounge Ministry	West Delray Beach, Florida	$5,000	Cover immigration legal fees for ten families; connect families with lawyers recommended by the eviction response team.
Living Faith Church of the Brethren	concord, North Carolina	$5,000	Support for the food distribution service; anticipated to serve more than 5,000 people in 2025 amid supply and storage challenges.
Haitian Church of the Brothers of Naples	East Naples, Florida	$5,000	Purchase of a van for food distribution and transport; bolster pantry and local outreach.
First Church of the Brethren	Wichita, Kansas	$5,000	16‑hour training on non‑violence, guided by On Earth Peace; aim to engage at least 50 participants across western Plains District congregations.
West Charleston Church of the Brethren	Tipp City, Ohio	$4,667	Strengthen immigrant and refugee support; expand translation, cross‑cultural training, and digital translation tool use; sustain leadership teams.
Church of the Haitian Brothers of Miami	Miami, Florida	$3,333.33	Stock and sustain the church pantry to serve growing community needs amid food insecurity.
Church of the Brothers of Sangerville	Bridgewater, Virginia	$2,000	Living crèche (living nativity) to bolster evangelization and annual community outreach, drawing 200-300 attendees each year.

These awards reflect the BFIA’s mission to support ministries continuing the Brethren Service Center’s tradition of service while adapting to today’s realities. The grants are made possible through the sale proceeds of the Brethren Service Center building in New Windsor, Maryland.

Area congregations are encouraged to learn more about BFIA and how to apply by visiting the official site: brethren.org/faith-in-action.

evergreen Outlook: Why These Grants Matter Over Time

The mix of grants demonstrates a sustained commitment to practical aid, community resilience, and social justice. Funding for food distribution and pantry stocking addresses immediate needs, while programs on non‑violence, translation, and legal support empower communities to navigate complex social and legal landscapes.

Geographically, the grants span the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest regions, illustrating how faith communities mobilize resources to meet diverse local challenges-from food insecurity and housing precarity to immigrant integration and intercultural dialog.

As demographic and economic pressures evolve, BFIA’s model offers a template: seed funds that enable congregations to adapt existing ministries or launch new outreach that aligns with their neighbors’ most pressing needs. The emphasis on leadership development and sustainability also helps ensure that programs endure beyond a single grant cycle.

Engage With The Story

Which of these initiatives resonates most with you, and why? How might faith-based groups in your area expand impact on food security, immigrant support, or community outreach?

Would you like to see more reporting on how faith communities mobilize resources to address evolving community needs? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

For readers seeking more context on faith‑based outreach,recent overviews highlight how congregations partner with local organizations to broaden impact beyond church walls. These collaborations can reinforce neighborhood support networks during times of hardship.

Find more news and updates from faith-based organizations and community outreach programs by following our ongoing coverage.

What are the eligibility criteria for the BFIA grants awarded to the Church of the Brethren congregations?

Eight Church of the Brethren Congregations Receive Final BFIA Grants for Community Outreach and Service

Published: 2025‑12‑17 10:05:59 | archyde.com

BFIA Final Grant Cycle: What’s New?

• Award declaration – In early December 2025,the Brethren Fund for International Assistance (BFIA) released it’s final grant round,confirming that eight Church of the Brethren congregations will receive funding for 2026 community‑outreach projects.
• Total funding – The eight awards collectively total $1.2 million, distributed in two‑year increments to support sustainable service programs.
• Geographic spread – Recipients represent a cross‑section of the denomination, ranging from rural Midwest churches to urban congregations on the East Coast, ensuring statewide impact.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Criterion	Description
Mission alignment	Projects must reflect the Church of the Brethren’s “peace, justice, and service” ethos.
Community need	Demonstrated unmet needs in the target neighborhood (e.g.,food insecurity,youth mentorship).
Capacity for impact	Evidence of staff/volunteer capacity to implement and evaluate the program.
Financial stewardship	Clear budget, matching‑funds commitments, and clear accounting practices.
Sustainability plan	Strategy for continuing services after the grant period ends.

Primary Focus Areas Funded by BFIA

1. Food security and nutrition education – Mobile pantry expansions, community gardens, and cooking workshops.
2. Youth empowerment – After‑school tutoring, leadership labs, and sports‑based mentorship.
3. Elder care outreach – home‑visit ministries, transportation assistance, and social‑activity hubs.
4. Environmental stewardship – Energy‑efficiency retrofits, recycling drives, and climate‑resilience training.

Expected Outcomes for the eight Congregations

• Increased volunteer participation – Projected rise of 25 % in congregational volunteer hours within the first year.
• Improved community health metrics – Anticipated 15 % drop in reported food‑insecurity cases in project zones.
• Youth academic gains – Targeted betterment of 0.3 GPA points for participating students.
• Enhanced grant‑writing capacity – All recipients will complete BFIA’s “Grant Management Bootcamp,” boosting future fundraising potential.

Practical Tips for Grant Recipients

1. Develop a robust monitoring framework

• Set measurable indicators (e.g., number of meals served, youth attendance rates).
• Use simple data‑collection tools like Google Forms or volunteer log sheets.
• Leverage partnerships
• Collaborate with local NGOs, schools, and municipal agencies to expand reach and share resources.
• Communicate impact regularly
• publish quarterly newsletters and social‑media updates highlighting success stories and donor acknowledgments.
• Plan for sustainability
• Identify at‑least two additional funding sources (e.g., annual giving campaigns, community‑foundation grants) before the grant period concludes.

Real‑World Example: Community Garden Initiative (Midwest Congregation)

• Project goal – Transform a vacant lot into a 3‑acre organic garden serving 500 families.
• BFIA grant allocation – $150,000 for soil remediation, raised beds, and volunteer training.
• Early results (first six months)
• 12 volunteer teams (average 8 members each) installed garden infrastructure.
• Harvested 2,400 lb of produce, distributed through the church’s food‑bank partnership.
• Key takeaway – Early community engagement and clear output metrics convinced a local health department to match the grant with an additional $30,000 for nutrition workshops.

Benefits of BFIA Funding for Church of the Brethren Congregations

• Financial stability – Multi‑year funding reduces reliance on ad‑hoc donations.
• Capacity building – Access to BFIA’s training modules strengthens grant‑writing and project‑management skills.
• Community credibility – Successful outreach projects enhance the church’s reputation as a local change agent.
• Network expansion – Grant recipients join a national coalition of faith‑based service leaders, fostering knowlege‑sharing.

Future Outlook: Scaling Faith‑Based Service

• Strategic focus – BFIA plans to increase the grant pool by 20 % for the 2027 cycle, emphasizing climate‑justice and mental‑health initiatives.
• Long‑term vision – the Church of the Brethren aims to integrate these funded programs into its broader denominational mission, creating a replicable model for congregations nationwide.

Sources: BFIA Press Release (December 2025), Church of the Brethren Official News (2025), Grant Management Bootcamp Curriculum (BFIA).​