Faith & Action Grant Project

The Faith & Action Grants Program, now entering its tenth year, is a philanthropic initiative organized by the Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis, Indiana. The program operates as part of the broader Faith & Action Project, a community engagement platform designed to galvanize efforts across religious traditions and community organizations to address the persistent challenges of poverty. CTS leverages its interfaith reach and theological grounding to convene leaders, provide educational opportunities, and most importantly, to distribute direct financial support to impactful poverty-alleviation initiatives in Marion County. This long-standing program reflects CTS's commitment to fostering justice, healing, and equity by facilitating access to resources for faith-based community work. The primary goal of the Faith & Action Grants Program is to empower communities of faith in Indianapolis to implement solutions that address systemic poverty while integrating mental health support. Each spring, CTS hosts a Spring Conference where faith and community leaders gather to share best practices and innovations in poverty relief. This year’s conference, scheduled for March 19, 2026, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes, a scholar-practitioner whose work bridges psychology and theology. Her keynote will focus on trauma, healing, and their intersections with poverty—reflecting the program’s deepening focus on trauma-informed care and mental health as essential components of anti-poverty strategies. Funding through this program is aimed at supporting organizations that demonstrate collaborative approaches, evidence-based practices, and the capacity to scale or accelerate work already underway. Financial support is intended to act as a catalyst, not seed funding for brand-new projects. The grants committee favors proposals that break down operational silos, encourage shared ownership, and are already rooted in the community. Grantees often report that the support received is not just financial but relational—connecting them to a wider network of peers and advocates working toward shared goals. The grant seeks to build long-term impact, recognizing that change in this space requires sustained effort. Eligibility is limited to faith-based organizations operating within Marion County, Indiana, but there is no restriction on religious tradition or denomination. Participation in the morning session of the annual conference is a mandatory requirement to be considered for funding. Attendance at afternoon workshops is also highly encouraged. These sessions provide applicants with the chance to refine ideas, consult with advisors, and better understand the expectations of the grants committee. Emphasis is placed on trauma-informed programming and measurable impacts on poverty reduction. The application process is multi-phased. It begins with conference attendance on March 19, 2026, after which applications become available on March 2, 2026. Initial proposals are due by April 15, 2026. Following review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by May 28, 2026. Award announcements are expected in July 2026. This timeline allows for a thoughtful and strategic review process that aligns with the program’s emphasis on collaborative, informed approaches to community development. This grant opportunity is recurring on an annual basis and forms a consistent part of CTS’s strategy to nurture community-rooted solutions to poverty. While no specific funding tiers or award amounts have been publicly disclosed in this cycle, the program history and strategic language strongly suggest that funding is significant enough to scale active initiatives. Past recipients have described the grant as instrumental to deepening their impact, suggesting the value of the award is both financial and catalytic in nature. Prospective applicants should stay alert for additional details to be released, particularly regarding full application requirements and evaluation metrics.