A while back we tackled the question how we can best strengthen the church and make more vital congregations. The answer is leadership development. Learn more about our work sending future leaders to college and seminary.
Seminary Scholarship
Our Firebrand Scholarship provides full tuition for a seminarian whom we believe is a future transformational leader in the church. To qualify you must:
- Be on track to be ordained by age 35
- Be a full-time student at a United Methodist approved seminary
- Be committed to serving in the local church in East Ohio
Application deadline is March 1. Apply here.
Additional seminary scholarships are available through the East Ohio Board of Ordained Ministries. Find more information here.
Undergraduate Scholarships
We offer a number of scholarships to United Methodists who are attending college for their undergraduate degrees. To qualify you must:
- Be a full-time student
- Have strong academic performance
- Be active in a local United Methodist Church in the East Ohio Annual Conference
Preference is given to those attending a United Methodist college. Some scholarships are reserved for the children of United Methodist clergy in East Ohio
Application deadline is March 1. Apply here.
Other Scholarships
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation and the Methodist Foundation of Ohio as well as your local church can participate in the Dollars for Scholars Program, open to all students (undergraduate and seminary) who are attending United Methodist Universities or Seminaries. How it works:
- The student applies to the local church to contribute $1,000. If that is approved,
- The student applies to UMHEF to contribute $1,000. If that is approved,
- The student applies to the East Ohio Foundation to contribute $1,000
- Many UM universities contribute $1,000.
The total scholarship is $4,000.
The application deadline is March 1. Apply here.
And because a church is only as effective as its efforts to reach the community we also have programs to support your church’s mission and outreach ministries.
Grants for church outreach programs are available.
We welcome requests for the church to be in mission to its local community. Feeding programs, health and wellness programs, services for children and adults at risk and educational opportunities have been funded in the past. We do not fund requests for capital improvements that are not mission-related, debt retirement, or operating funds.
The application deadline is March 1. Apply here.