From 40 requests for funding totaling more than $127,000, the Ohio Conference Make a Difference Grant Committee made recommendations for $15,205 in awards to 18 churches and one UCC retirement community.

Make a Difference funds come from the earnings from an endowment established to benefit the needs of individuals, local congregations, Associations and UCC-related institutions in the Ohio Conference, as well as their communities.

The amount available every year is determined by taking 5% of the rolling average within the total amount of the fund over a three-year period. 2006 is the seventh year that earnings from the fund have been available.

Because of the limited amount available for distribution, the rules stipulate that only applications for $2,500 or less will be considered.

Grants awarded must be no less than 20% and no more than 50% to fund special needs in each of three categories: • church leaders • churches • communities, including mission partners and UCC educational and health and human ministries.

At their October 13, 2006 meeting, the Ohio Conference Board of Directors approved these recommendations of the Make a Difference Grant Committee for 2006 funding.

Nashville UCC, W. Milton, Salary for Youth Director, $1500

St. John’s UCC, South Amherst, Raise for long-time church pastor, $926

West Side UCC, Cleveland, Salary for coordinator of neighborhood outreach program, $1000

St. Peter’s UCC, Cincinnati, Textbooks and materials for African American history classes, $500

St. Paul’s UCC, Sidney, Salary for Media Ministry Assistant, $1000

St. John’s UCC, Newport KY, Adult education "The Church and Politics…", $1000

Zion UCC, Bettsville, Hymnals, Sunday School materials, insulate base of church, $700

David’s UCC, Canal Winchester, Create multiple-intelligence based Christian growth learning environment based on the theme "DiverCity," $500

UCC Congregational, Vermilion, Improve accommodation of retreat site "Sunset Shores," $970

Cross Creek Community UCC, Centerville, Purchase software "Raising the Roof," for help in church growth, $499

Denison Avenue UCC, Cleveland, Creation of an Internet café for a safe community gathering place, $1250

Trinity UCC, Cleveland, Community meals and other assistance for poor and homeless, $600

St. Paul’s Community UCC, Cleveland, Community outreach, food, sanctuary for poor and homeless, $600

First Congregational UCC, Mt. Vernon, Nutritional and social assistance for disabled, elderly and poor, $600

First Congregational UCC, Elyria, Purchase food to be distributed to low income families, $600

UCC Congregational, Medina, Fund partial scholarships for Hobby Horse Pre-school, $350

Howland Community Church, Warren, Fund mission projects such as food, school supplies through Sheltered Reality, teaching through music, $360

Chapel Hill Community, Canal Fulton, Remodel to make chapel more accessible to all residents, $1000

Miller Avenue UCC, Akron, Help complete transition of small church into full mission church identity, $1250

Make A Difference grant funds come from the earnings of the Make A Difference endowment fund. The amount available each year is equal to 5% of a three-year rolling average of the endowment fund total. The criteria for the awards were established at the 1992 Ohio Conference Annual Meeting.