From 52 requests for funding totaling more than $98,000, the Ohio Conference Make a Difference Grant Committee made recommendations for $15,000 in awards to 21 churches and one community service organization.

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 September 21, 2007 meeting, the Ohio Conference Board of Directors approved these recommendations of the Make a Difference Grant Committee for 2007 funding.

Zion UCC, Bettsville ($500) for education for bell choir leader and lay minister

GreenView UCC, Sidney ($1,000) for youth leadership seed money

First UCC, Troy ($1,200) for leadership to develop small group ministry

Highlands UCC, Springfield ($1,000) for church renewal consultation

Columbia UCC, Barberton ($400) for education of church leaders in effective and transformational ministry

Orchard Hill UCC, Chillicothe ($300) for lay pastor training

Washington UCC, Cincinnati ($500) for bells for children’s bell choir

Springboro UCC, Springboro ($500) to train youth for fundraising project for hearing enhancement and projection systems for worship

New Vision UCC, Canton ($500) for new signage for this new church start

St. John’s UCC, Newport, KY ($400) for equipment for senior wellness ministry

South Haven UCC, Bedford ($1,200) for advertising and hospitality project

First Congregational UCC, Mt. Vernon ($500) for freezer for “Hot Meals at the UCC”

First St. John UCC, Hamilton ($1,000) for training church volunteers in grant writing for outreach ministries

First UCC, Marion ($1,000) for drums for youth outreach ministry

First Congregational UCC, Lorain ($900) for Thrift Shop coordinator

Emmanuel UCC, Valley City ($1,000) for consultant for church/community group in conflict resolution and dialogue

Immanuel UCC, Cincinnati ($800) for leadership for community youth ministry

Zion UCC, Delaware ($500) for seminar on autism and your church

LaAmistad UCC, Cincinnati ($800) to host community health care event

CAIN, Cincinnati ($200) for reusable bag-making for ecumenical pantry

Trinity UCC, Baltimore ($400) for “Caring Connections” counseling service

Trinity UCC, Cleveland ($400) for church suppers for the homeless

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.