If you lead a Christian nonprofit — food ministry, reentry program, Christian school, pregnancy center, missions organization, or a church-affiliated charity — you are hunting the same question every development director asks: who actually funds ministries like ours, what do they require, and what will they refuse? Most generic “Christian grants” pages list funder types and name almost no foundations. This page does the opposite: it puts verified Christian funders side by side with eligibility, published award ranges (only where the funder publishes them), exclusions, and how to apply.
Details below were checked against each funder's own website on October 16, 2026. Guidelines change; treat the funder's page as final. For federal program status and the church-facing legal rule, use our federal grants for churches guide.
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These are examples with published guidelines — not a ranked “best of” list and not a promise of funding. Prefer funders whose stated focus matches your program before you write a proposal.
| Funder | Who they fund | Typical award (if published) | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Raise Foundation | Christian U.S. 501(c)(3)s serving under-resourced communities | GrantsPlus: minimum $50,000 over two years | Online LOI / portal |
| Kingdom Missions Fund | U.S. 501(c)(3) ministries with discipleship outcomes | Historically $500–$5,000; ~8–12 grants/year | Grant inquiry form |
| Stoller Foundation | Christ-centered 501(c)(3) public charities advancing evangelism | Not published as a range | Invitation only |
| Lilly Endowment | U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities; religion work is national in scope | Varies by initiative | Preliminary letter / initiative RFPs |
| Stewardship Foundation | Christ-centered non-denominational parachurch orgs | Generally ≤10% of operating cash revenue | LOI; once per year |
| Maclellan Foundation | Qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities; U.S. churches | Not published | Invitation only — no unsolicited proposals |
| National Fund for Sacred Places | Community-serving historic houses of worship | Matching grants $50,000–$500,000 | Annual Foundant application |
| Catholic Extension Society | Parishes/ministries in pre-approved Extension dioceses | Varies by program | Through diocesan contact — not open public apps |
Per We Raise eligibility (checked Oct 16, 2026): applicants must be a Christian 501(c)(3) with a verifiable EIN, located in and serving the United States, serving under-resourced communities, with programs that are new, significantly expanded/revised, or innovative. GrantsPlus focuses on K–12 education, workforce development, and reentry, with preference for Chicago, St. Louis, or Milwaukee; GrantsPlus awards a minimum of $50,000 over a two-year term. As of the GrantsPlus page check, the Sept 30, 2026 LOI window was marked closed; the next listed LOI due date was February 28, 2027.
Per Kingdom Missions Fund get-funding (checked Oct 16, 2026): funds innovative Christian missions projects with clear discipleship outcomes that are smart, sustainable, and scalable. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based ministries with 501(c)(3) status and a clear discipleship plan. For the 2026 cycle the site states grants have historically ranged from $500 to $5,000, typically 8–12 grants per year, with an average roughly $3,000. Tier ranges on the same page list Tier 1 at $4,000–$6,000, Tier 2 at $2,000–$3,999, and Tier 3 under $2,000.
Per Stoller Foundation ministries (checked Oct 16, 2026): funds Christ-centered 501(c)(3) public charities whose programs reflect biblical values and a commitment to sharing the gospel verbally. Applications are by invitation only — the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or email inquiries. It supports program and collaborative grants that advance evangelism; it does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. International applicants need public-charity equivalency; fiscal-sponsored projects must apply through the sponsoring 501(c)(3).
Per Lilly Endowment guidelines (checked Oct 16, 2026): religion grantmaking aims to deepen Christian life in the United States by strengthening congregations, pastoral leadership, theological schools, and related work; religion giving is national in scope. Grantseekers may send a short preliminary letter by mail when they believe a request fits; the Endowment also runs competitive initiatives with published RFPs. Many religion initiatives target denominations, networks, theological schools, and intermediary organizations rather than a single local congregation's operating budget — read each initiative's eligibility carefully.
Per Stewardship Foundation guidelines (checked Oct 16, 2026): grants go to Christ-centered organizations that share faith in Jesus in word and deed; themes include poverty, justice and reconciliation, faith and discipleship, children at risk, and leadership. Grants are made to non-denominational parachurch organizations. Domestically: local agencies in Pierce, King, and Kitsap counties (WA) or organizations with national impact; internationally: Africa, Asia, Europe/Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. New grants are generally for programs/projects; unrestricted and capital grants are limited to prior grantees. Organizations may apply once per year; requests are generally limited to 10% of total operating revenue (FAQ: operating cash revenue).
Per Maclellan Foundation FAQ (checked Oct 16, 2026): grants only to certain 501(c)(3) public charities (specified subsections), U.S. churches, organizations with equivalency determination, or fiscal sponsors that qualify. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, requests, or letters of inquiry. Published non-fits include capital campaigns, buildings, individual field workers, individual churches or schools, scholarships, narrowly geographic projects outside Chattanooga without broader impact, and political/lobbying projects.
Per fundforsacredplaces.org (checked Oct 16, 2026): a Partners for Sacred Places program in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It provides matching grants of $50,000 to $500,000 plus training and technical assistance for community-serving historic houses of worship. The site lists applications opening January 12, 2027 and due March 3, 2027, with decisions expected October 2027. This is capital/preservation support for historic sacred places — not a general ministry operating grant.
Per Catholic Extension funding guidelines (checked Oct 16, 2026): funding goes to poor dioceses pre-approved by the Board of Governors. It is not available to individuals or organizations outside those dioceses. Requests go through the designated diocesan contact. Funding types include building foundations for under-resourced ministries, building leaders, building churches/facilities, engaging young Catholics, building capacity (including Catholic schools), and enhancing pastoral/social ministry.
Guides and fill-in templates churches actually use — where the money is, the documents to gather once, and the letter and proposal formats funders expect. $47 one-time.
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Churches that spun up an affiliated nonprofit to hold grants should confirm which legal entity is the applicant on every portal. Foundations verify EIN and 501(c)(3) status against the applicant named in the proposal; mixing the church EIN with an affiliate program narrative is a common disqualification. Our affiliate nonprofit guide covers when that structure helps and when it adds friction.
Specialized ministry niches often map cleanly onto the funders above. Reentry and workforce programs should study We Raise GrantsPlus priorities. Evangelism and discipleship project asks align more with Kingdom Missions Fund or invitation-only evangelism foundations. Historic building campaigns belong with the National Fund for Sacred Places or denominational capital funds — not with a small project funder that excludes capital and operations. Pregnancy centers, Christian schools, and AV/livestream ministries each have dedicated Faith Grants guides linked in the tips section; use those pages for niche federal and private options after you shortlist foundations here.
If your nonprofit or congregation is affiliated with a denomination, the regional body (diocese, synod, presbytery, conference, association, convention) and national offices often hold mission or capital funds that never appear in public databases. These are frequently the most winnable first grants for member ministries. Start with your judicatory office and ask what is open this year. Walkthrough with real program examples: denominational grants for churches.
Community foundations fund local charitable work — food, youth, seniors, community health — and regularly award faith-based nonprofits for community-serving programs. Awards are often modest but accessible. Use the Council on Foundations community foundation locator (by state) and your county's foundation site.
Corporate giving from regional banks, healthcare systems, grocers, and utilities moves faster and smaller. Some companies welcome faith-based applicants for community projects; always read the current guidelines. These dollars usually expect secular community outcomes even when the applicant is Christian.
For smaller congregations comparing local options, see grants for small churches and grants for religious nonprofits.
Christian nonprofits can compete for many government grants on equal footing with secular organizations. Under 34 CFR 75.52, a faith-based organization is eligible for Department of Education grants on the same basis as any other private organization, keeps its independence and religious character, and must offer explicitly religious activities separately in time or location with voluntary participation. Parallel equal-treatment rules apply across other agencies; the program notice controls.
Practical split: private Christian foundations may fund discipleship, evangelism, and ministry staff when their guidelines allow it. Public grants fund the secular service (pantry, shelter, tutoring, security hardening) and generally cannot pay for worship or religious instruction. Full program map and 2026 status table: federal grants for churches. Hiring and Charitable Choice: Charitable Choice guide. Affiliate structures: church affiliate nonprofit for grants.
Do not generalize these exclusions to “all Christian foundations.” Attribute each to its source:
Before you open a portal, assemble the packet most Christian and community funders expect (merged from our Christian nonprofit checklist):
Churches are automatically tax-exempt when they meet 501(c)(3) requirements, but many private funders still want a letter on file. See 501(c)(3) grants for churches.
Proposal craft: how to write a church grant proposal and grant writing services for churches. Broader church ranking: best church grants 2026. Niche pages that often overlap these funders: grants for Christian schools, pregnancy resource center grants.
Guides and fill-in templates churches actually use — where the money is, the documents to gather once, and the letter and proposal formats funders expect. $47 one-time.
Get the Starter Kit →See everything in the kit · Or take the free eligibility quiz
No grant writer. No $2,500 consultant. Just the guides and fill-in templates churches actually use: where the money is, the documents to gather once, and the exact letter and proposal formats funders expect.
$47 one-time — instant download (PDF)
Get the Starter Kit →Instant download. Educational templates — not grant-writing services, and no guarantee of funding.