If you lead a church or Christian nonprofit, you may have heard that grants are only for certain types of organizations. Established nonprofits. Big charities. Secular service providers. Not us.

But that’s simply not the whole picture. Private foundations fund churches and Christian nonprofits every single day. The key is knowing how the landscape works, what funders actually want to see, and how to position your organization well before you ever submit a proposal.

This post is for the pastor who has heard about grants but doesn’t know where to start, and for the nonprofit staff member who wants to understand the boundaries before diving in. Whether you’re brand new to grants or just looking to grow your knowledge, let’s walk through it together.

First, Some Encouragement

Private foundations are often a more natural funding partner for faith-based organizations than government

grants are. Many private foundations were established by Christians, for Christians, with an explicit desire to see the church thrive and communities transformed through ministry.

Foundations like the Lilly Endowment (one of the largest private foundations in the world) have devoted decades to supporting congregational vitality, pastoral leadership, and Christian education. And they are far from alone. Across the country, there are thousands of family foundations, community foundations, and faith-based funders looking to invest in organizations that are doing meaningful, mission-driven work.

Beyond explicitly Christian funders, many secular community foundations will also support programs run by churches, especially when those programs are serving people regardless of their faith background. Food pantries, after-school programs, addiction recovery, housing assistance, youth development: these are areas where churches are often doing some of the most consistent and trusted work in their communities, and funders know it.

The opportunity is real. The question is whether your organization is ready to pursue it.

The Myths That Hold Churches Back

Before we talk about what makes a strong grant application, it helps to name some of the things that hold churches back from even trying.

“We’re a church, so we can’t get grants.”

This is by far the most common misconception I hear. Churches with 501(c)(3) status are eligible for many of the same foundation grants available to other nonprofits. And even churches without a separate nonprofit structure can sometimes access funding, depending on the funder. The key is knowing which funders welcome faith-based applicants and framing your application in a way that speaks to their priorities.

“We just need to apply for more grants.”

Volume is not a strategy. Foundations fund organizations they believe in: ones with a clear mission, a track record of impact, and the organizational systems to manage and report on grant funds responsibly. Sending out a dozen unfocused applications rarely leads anywhere good. Strategic alignment with the right funders is what moves the needle.

“Our pastor can write the grant in his spare time.”

Pastors are gifted in many things, but grant writing is its own discipline. It requires understanding funder priorities, translating ministry language into outcomes and measurable impact, and managing the administrative side of a funder relationship. That’s a lot to add to an already full plate, and a proposal that isn’t quite right can affect your relationship with a funder for years.

“Grants are free money.”

Grants come with real expectations: reporting requirements, budget accountability, program documentation, and sometimes site visits or evaluations. The organizations that thrive in grant relationships treat them like partnerships, because that’s exactly what they are. Funders want to see their investment make an impact, and they will follow up to make sure it does.

What Foundation Funders Actually Want to See

Whether you’re approaching a Christian foundation or a community foundation with a faith-based program, funders are generally looking for the same things.

A clear, specific program. Broad requests for “general support” are harder to fund, especially for newer organizations. Most grants are tied to a specific program or project with defined goals, clear activities, and a defined group of people being served. The more concrete you can be, the better.

Measurable outcomes. Grantmakers want to know what changes as a result of your work. How many people are served? What do they gain? What’s different in your community because of this program? This doesn’t mean your ministry has to feel clinical or transactional. It means you’ve thought carefully about impact, and you can show it.

Organizational credibility. Funders want to see that your organization is stable and accountable. This means having a functioning board, organized financials, current IRS status, and basic policies in place. These things signal that you’re ready to steward a grant well.

Alignment with funder priorities. This is everything. A beautifully written proposal for a program a funder doesn’t care about will still get rejected. Research comes first, always. Read their guidelines carefully, look at who they’ve funded before, and make sure there’s a genuine fit before you invest time in an application.

Relationship and trust. The best grant writers will tell you that the relationship with a program officer matters deeply. Many funders want to know your organization before you submit a proposal. That means reaching out early, attending informational webinars when they’re offered, and building genuine connections with the people behind the grant.

What Foundation Grants Generally Won’t Fund for Churches

Being clear-eyed about limitations saves everyone time and energy. Most foundations, even Christian ones, will not fund:

• Worship services, religious instruction, or evangelism as the primary program activity
• Pastoral salaries unless they’re clearly tied to a specific funded program
• Building construction or major capital projects, unless you’re pursuing a capital-specific grant
• Debt repayment
• Programs that serve only church members rather than the broader community

This doesn’t mean these needs don’t matter. It means grants may not be the right funding stream for them. Other strategies like generosity campaigns, capital campaigns, or denominational support are often better suited for those areas.

The sweet spot for most foundation grants is community-facing ministry work: the programs your church is already running for your neighbors, programs that serve people regardless of their faith background and that you can describe in concrete, outcome-focused terms.

How to Position Your Church or Christian Nonprofit for Foundation Grants

Grant readiness doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s more achievable than most church leaders realize. Here are some practical steps to get started.

Confirm your 501(c)(3) status is current. Your IRS determination letter should be on file, and your annual filings should be up to date. Funders verify this right away.

Get your finances organized. You don’t need a full audit for most smaller grants, but you do need accurate financial records and a budget that clearly shows how grant funds would be used.

Define your programs clearly. Be able to answer: Who do we serve? What do we do for them? How do we know it’s working? If you can’t answer these questions in plain language, a funder won’t be able to fund you with confidence.

Document your impact. Photos, testimonials, program data, and early results all matter. Start collecting this now, even before you apply for anything. Every story and every number you gather becomes part of your case for support.

Research funders before you write a word. Find foundations whose priorities align with your mission and programs. Look at who they’ve funded before. Read their guidelines carefully. When it makes sense, reach out to introduce your organization before submitting anything.

Invest in your board. A strong, engaged board signals organizational health to funders. If your board is inactive or underdeveloped, this is worth addressing as part of your grant readiness journey.

Final Thoughts

The foundation grant landscape for churches and Christian nonprofits is more open than many leaders realize. But navigating it well takes strategy, preparation, and the ability to tell your story in a way that resonates with funders.

At Pressed & Poured, I partner with churches and Christian nonprofits to find the right funders, build strong grant-ready foundations, and write proposals that pour purpose into every word. Whether you’re exploring grants for the first time or you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to come alongside you.

Schedule a discovery call or join the mailing list for more insights on building a fundable foundation.

Here’s to missions that matter, jars that never run empty, and communities made stronger through provision.

– Emma