Faith-Based Grants for Churches in Alabama

• Alabama ranks among the most religious states in the country, according to a 2009 poll from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Seven of 10 people polled indicated that religion was very important in their lives and the state ranked third overall in both frequency of prayer and belief in God. Through the 18th century, Alabama was predominantly Roman Catholic but, as of 2000, Southern Baptists form the largest religious denomination with more than 1.3 million members and 3,100 congregations. Several organizations provide faith-based grants to support Alabama churches.

North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church

• The North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church offers grants for churches through the annual Mission Grants program. The program's goal is for "every local church to be challenged and equipped to grow more disciples of Jesus Christ by taking risks and changing lives," according to grant guidelines. Eligible projects include new, emerging and established ministries that are engaged in mission and outreach activities aligned with the mission goals of the organization. Churches, mission agencies and cooperative parishes are eligible to apply. Funds can support mission education and training events, church ministry development, ministries with a focus on hunger, housing or children, and direct support of mission congregations or personnel. Grants range from $500 to $5,000 as of November 2010.

Catholic Extension

• The Catholic Extension offers Catholic Church Extension Society Grants. The program's purpose is to support the church in "under-resourced and isolated areas of the United States, ensuring that all Catholics have the opportunity to experience excellence in church life and ministry," according to grant guidelines. Catholic dioceses are eligible to apply if they are isolated demographically or geographically, or if the diocese has limited access to resources such as training institutions and professional or philanthropic opportunities. Grant funds can be used to support basic operations, technology training, language immersion programs and facility building projects. As of November 2010, grants generally range from $10,000 to $100,000, but major facility grants can range up to $250,000.

Episcopal Diocese of Alabama

• The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama offers the Parish-Based and Individual Outreach Grants programs. Grants are awarded annually. The program's goal is to "encourage parishes to start new or expand existing outreach ministries that will become self-sustainable within three years," according to grant guidelines. Funds must be used to support parish-based outreach activities within Alabama. Grants range up to $2,000 as of November 2010. Episcopal dioceses in Alabama are eligible to apply.

Foursquare Foundation

• The Foursquare Foundation provides grants to denominations affiliated with the Foursquare church. Grants fund projects that work to "accelerate world-wide, interdenominational evangelism," according to grant guidelines. Grants fund evangelism events, media projects, leadership training and outreach. Recipients must provide at least 50 percent of project funds from other sources. Grants range between $10,000 and $100,000 as of November 2010. Foursquare church leaders in Alabama are eligible to apply.