Grant Application Submission Deadlines for 2024

February 1,  May 1, and September 1
 

Barnes Fund Grant Process 2024 from North Georgia Conference on Vimeo.

The Barnes Evaluation & Administration Team (BEAT) provides approval and oversight for distributing funds from the Barnes Fund (consolidation of Annual Conference resources to be used for mission/innovation). BEAT works alongside District Superintendents and the District Strategic Growth Teams to ensure that all eight districts are given equitable opportunities to use the funds for their district-specific missional needs. Funds are distributed via vital ministry grants that support the mission and ministry of local congregations. 

January 23, 2024

Greetings North Georgia Annual Conference!

The Barnes Evaluation and Administration Team is excited to enter another year of ministry with you and looks forward to seeing all of your ideas for innovative mission and ministry throughout our Annual Conference. 

In 2023 we were able to invest $1.29 million dollars with congregations and ministries across North Georgia to fund mission and ministry that will change lives and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in new ways. We granted funds for racial reconciliation work, digital ministry, food banks and feeding ministries, and community engagement to name a few. And we are already beginning to see fruit from those investments!

As we move into 2024 the BEAT application and funding windows remain the same. Completed applications are due to BEAT by February 1, May 1, and September 1 in order to be considered properly before BEAT for review. Remember to include adequate time for your application to be reviewed by your DSGT or the CMT.

The main change for 2024 is that the May window will be reserved for District special requests. This reservation is in response to the disaffiliations of many of our siblings in Christ last year. Only District Strategic Growth Teams are eligible to submit grant requests in the May 1 funding window. It is a priority of the Cabinet and BEAT that those UMC’s that have remained in the connection are well supported as we re-envision who and what God is leading us to do and be in this new season.  

We are looking forward to a great 2024, coming alongside you to help enable the ministry of Jesus Christ throughout our North Georgia Conference!

The Barnes Evaluation and Administration Team
 

How to Apply for a BEAT Grant:

Churches and Districts:

1. Discuss your idea with your District Superintendent well in advance of the next grant window.
2. Download and complete this Grant Application for Churches and Districts.
3. Submit your application and associated documents to your District Strategic Growth Team for review. Please check with your District for meeting and submission dates. They are usually at least 30 days prior to the BEAT deadline.
4. If approved, the DSGT chair will submit the application to BEAT. All documents required in the application plus a letter of recommendation from the DSGT and the District Superintendent must be submitted by email as one pdf file for the application to be considered complete.
5. The BEAT Prescreen Team will review your application and request any additional or clarifying information if necessary.
6. The BEAT Team has 60 days to review applications and make grant decisions. You will be notified of the decision via email.

Conference Boards and Agencies:

1. Download and complete the Grant Application for Boards and Agencies.
2. Email your completed application to the Connectional Ministries Team (click here to submit) for review 30 DAYS prior to the submission deadline.  For example, grants for the September 1 window need to be submitted by August 1). 
3. If approved, the Connectional Ministries Team will submit the application to BEAT.
4. The BEAT Prescreen Team will review your application and request any additional or clarifying information, if necessary.
5. The BEAT Team has 60 days to review applications and make grant decisions. You will be notified of the decision via email.

Note: Applications from Conference Boards and Agencies will only be considered during the February 1 and September 1 funding windows in 2024.
 

More About BEAT

In August of 2020, the North Georgia Annual Conference approved a new committee with an important task: to distribute funds from the sale of closed church property in an equitable, accountable manner to fund ministry initiatives across all eight districts. Today that committee has a robust process in place for granting funds. Learn about the process in the video below - it was made in 2022 but most of the information still applies. You can also click here to read more about BEAT's history, mission, and vision: BEAT Mission and Vision.