Beloved Community Fund

St. Columba’s long-standing vision of striving to create a more just and equitable society—to realize the Kingdom of God here and now—and our more recent commitment to become an antiracist church prompts us to create a fund that will encourage and enable St. Columba’s parishioners to establish and foster institutional and individual relationships across racial lines. The purpose of the Fund is to take steps toward repair of the historical and present-day harms caused by the systematic racism experienced by Black people and other marginalized residents in our community, and to establish new partnerships and relationships that advance racial justice and equity.  

What is the total amount of available funding?    The current total funding commitment is $600,000, which will be deployed over several years, and hopefully will grow.  

What is the size of individual grants?  The expected range of grants is $50,000 – $100,000, depending on scope of the project and proposed duration.

When will applications be accepted?  On a rolling basis, from October 15, 2025. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria?

Applications will be accepted for projects from organizations and individuals that meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Applications must have a St. Columba’s Parishioner or Ministry sponsor and include participation by parishioners, through existing ministries or otherwise; 
• Applications are accepted from individuals or organizations registered as a nonprofit or 501(c)(3); 
• Organizations or projects should operate within the metropolitan region (i.e., Washington, DC, nearby counties in Maryland (Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties) and Virginia (City of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax Counties)); and 
• Proposed projects should advance a more just and equitable society through support of attainable housing and homeownership, health, education, access to opportunity, employment, support for justice involved individuals, wealth creation and/or preservation of the environment.

What are the Evaluation Criteria?

The following criteria, without limitation, will be used to evaluate applications:

(1)  Does the project reflect the needs of the community and draw on the expertise and leadership of those who have lived experience, or have been directly affected by, the problems being addressed?

(2)  Does it include a vision for what success for the project would look like and what outcomes it would create?

(3)  Does it seed new initiatives that will enable the partners to attract ongoing or additional funding and partnerships?

(4)  Does it involve significant participation by members of the Parish?

(5)  Does it enhance existing partnerships or relationships between the Parish and the broader community, or foster new partnerships/relationships?

(6)  Does it provide an opportunity for members of the Parish to learn and grow from the interaction by standing with and lifting up those who are vulnerable , building  relationships with individuals of different races and ethnicities and/or  acting to repair and transform such relationships?

Who will be reviewing the applications and administering the Fund?   The Beloved Community Fund Committee (BCFC) established by the St. Columba’s Vestry will administer the Fund.

The BCFC consists of at least 5 members, including representatives from the Vestry, the Anti-Racism Task Force and Stirring the Waters ministry. Additional clergy and/or staff as members will participate ex officio. 

The BCFC will (i) review applications for funding and (ii) recommend to the Vestry selected applications for approval.  The Vestry shall exercise final authority for the approval and funding of applications.

What are the documentation and reporting requirements:

Approved BCF Grantees will be required to provide the following:

1. W9, if for an organization
2. Detailed budget with anticipated grant uses 
3. A signed Grant Agreement
4. Provide annual reporting on grant-funded activities and outcomes, including budget expenditures