Rural Church Grant

The Duke Endowment's Rural Church grant program is a philanthropic initiative rooted in the enduring legacy of James B. Duke, who established the Endowment with a focus on supporting communities in North Carolina. Deeply influenced by his Methodist upbringing and the role of rural churches in community life, Mr. Duke directed that funding be reserved exclusively for rural United Methodist churches in North Carolina. The program reflects this mission by offering financial support to strengthen church leadership, community engagement, and sustainable practices within eligible congregations. The primary objective of the Rural Church program is to cultivate pastoral leadership, reimagine the use of church real estate, build the capacity of congregations, and support the implementation of selected tested programs. Specific funding strategies include nurturing the growth and retention of clergy, training district superintendents to strengthen ties between churches and communities, and developing assets-based approaches to church property use. The Endowment also encourages initiatives that support positive community outcomes through church-led programming, particularly those serving children, though this fourth strategy is limited to invited applicants. Grants are available only to United Methodist churches located in rural North Carolina communities. According to the Indenture of Trust, eligibility is restricted to churches situated in towns with populations of 1,500 or fewer, based on the most recent U.S. Census data. Additionally, the Endowment has adopted an expanded definition of “rural” that includes churches in areas designated as rural by the Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Churches must appear on the Endowment’s published eligibility list to apply. The application process is a two-step system beginning with a pre-application, which serves to confirm eligibility and strategic alignment. This initial step is mandatory and must be completed via the Endowment's online portal. Pre-applications are accepted only during two annual windows, closing on May 10 and October 3. The portal typically opens approximately six weeks prior to each deadline. Once a pre-application is reviewed, the Endowment will either invite the applicant to submit a full proposal or notify them that the project does not align with current funding priorities. There is no formal match requirement disclosed, and no public information is provided regarding award ceilings, floors, or total program funding. Specific funding details, including award amounts and performance periods, are likely shared during the full application phase upon invitation. Funding is contingent on the project’s alignment with the Endowment’s strategic goals and the applicant’s rural eligibility status. Retired United Methodist pastors do not need to apply for pension support, as those grants are distributed annually through the church conferences. The evaluation process appears to be centered on the alignment of proposals with the program’s strategic pathways and rural eligibility criteria. The absence of a formal application guide or FAQ detailing evaluation metrics suggests a qualitative review process. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the Rural Church program page for additional information. The Duke Endowment’s contact address is 800 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, and the general phone number is (704) 376-0291.