Providing grants to Ohio Conference UCC seminary students
attending a UCC-related theological school

UCC Seminaries

To qualify for a grant

Helping ministry go forward

How you can help

Wolff Fund brochure (PDF)

About the Wolffs

Helping ministry go forward

The Wolffs’ conviction that ministry must go forward into the next century prompted them to establish the Wolff Fund for Recruitment and Funding for Theological Education. They wish to provide financial assistance to members of the Ohio Conference who will be attending UCC seminaries and entering ministry in our denomination. They hope that a number of students will be assisted each year.

"When we need a minister, we go to our Conference or Association and expect that they will have plenty of candidates to choose from. We assume that the supply will be plentiful, but the facts are not so," says Richard Wolff. In an effort to increase the supply of ‘pastors-in-training,’ Wolff, a retired UCC minister, and his wife Rachael established an endowment several years ago to fund a scholarship program for ministerial students attending one of the 13 UCC-related seminaries.

To qualify for a grant

  Grant recipients must be students who are members of an Ohio Conference congregation and who are preparing for one of the following careers with the United Church of Christ:

• in the ministry of the church as an ordained or commissioned minister;

• a career in Christian education;

• a career in global mission under the sponsorship of the United Church of Christ Global Ministries

  Students must attend one of these thirteen seminaries associated with the United Church of Christ to be eligible for a grant:

• Andover Newton Theological School

• Bangor Theological Seminary

• Chicago Theological Seminary

• Eden Theological Seminary

• Lancaster Theological Seminary

• Pacific School of Religion

• United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

• Hartford Seminary

• Harvard University School of Divinity

• Howard University School of Divinity  

• Interdenominational Theological Center

• Union Theological Seminary

• Vanderbilt Divinity School

  Grants will be forgiven after five years of ministry within the United Church of Christ. Should the recipient not serve for five years, she or he will be required to repay the grant with interest on a schedule worked out with the Conference at the time the grant is given.

It is a goal of the trust to encourage recipients to make contributions to the trust so that future students will be assisted with grants.

The grants will be administered by the Ohio Conference in conjunction with the Association Departments for Church and Ministry. 

Grant applications should be made through the student’s Association:

Association Minister
Eastern Ohio Association
2560 Clearview Avenue
Canton, OH 44718

Association Minister
Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky
601 W. Riverview Avenue
Dayton, OH 45406

Association Minister
Northwest Ohio Association
416 Wentz Street
Tiffin, OH 44883

For more information about the Richard A. and Rachael S. Wolff Fund, click here for an information request form you can print and send, or email your questions to ohioucc@ocucc.org.

Or download a PDF copy of our brochure

How can you help?

The initial gift by Richard and Rachael Wolff was given to establish an endowment fund. It is their hope and dream that the Fund will grow and provide more money for grants to seminary students. They believe that the church should assist persons who are seeking to serve in church locations. Congregations and individuals are encouraged to make a gift to the Richard and Rachael Wolff Fund for Recruitment and Funding for Theological Education.

In the Ohio Conference, many churches are seeking a pastor. Financial support from Ohio Conference congregations has built the Wolff Scholarship endowment to nearly $200,000.

Congregations can send Wolff Fund donations to their Association or to the Ohio Conference.

The Rev. Richard Wolff was ordained into the Christian ministry on October 20, 1938. After serving the church for 55 years, he officially retired in 1977. During his "retirement" he gave interim ministry service to 16 churches in northern Ohio. Rev. Wolff was motivated by an unwavering commitment to justice for all persons, and he maintained an active role in advocacy for world peace.

Rachael S. Wolff was a professional church educator. She, along with her husband, graduated from Boston University.

The Rev. Mr. Richard Wolff, 93, died in Elyria, Ohio on January 18, 2006, of pneumonia.  

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