NEMN Synod EcoFaith Micro-Grants
The EcoFaith Network, Northeastern Minnesota Synod is a growing network of congregations, camps, campus ministries and companion partners in living out God’s call to be stewards of the earth for the sake of the whole creation. The NEMN Synod EcoFaith Micro-Grant program equips its congregations and partners (camps, campus ministries, etc) to live into this calling by providing seed money for specific ministry initiatives.
Micro-Grant are available in amounts between $100-$2000.
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Projects in a variety of areas are eligible for seed money funding, including but not limited to:
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Art and environment
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Community gardening
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Community engagement and advocacy
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Education
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Energy conservation (e.g. solar panels, off-peak water heaters, etc.)
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Participation in a regional conference
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Pollinator Project initiatives
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Special events and speakers
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Wilderness encounter
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Youth environmental action and exploration​​​​
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* If awarded, we want to support you and to share your experience with others! We can meet with you once or twice over zoom. We will ask for you to send pictures and let us know what is happening as a result of your Micro-Grant .
*We want to hear how your project is going! Please feel free to be in touch through the EcoFaith Network NE Minnesota Synod Facebook Page or by contacting any members of the EcoFaith Network NE MN Synod Leadership Team. Even if you do not receive the funding you have requested, we would like to find other ways to support you in your efforts!
Micro-Grant are made possible by the generous support of EcoFaith Network Partner Congregations and EcoFaith Donors. The EcoFaith Network Leadership Team will contact you within a month of receiving your proposal.
NEMN Synod Micro-Grant Application
Why Apply for a Micro-Grant
Micro-grants are not just money. They are relationships!
They are forms of companionship, pollinating the care of creation in and beyond our synod. We want to support you. We can meet with you over zoom, or whatever is most helpful. And you will have a story to share! We also want to hear about your project to share your experience with others! Please plan to send pictures and let us know what is happening because of your Micro-Grant . Together we will be companions in this holy work!
​Grants are available in amounts between $50-$2,000.
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Projects in a variety of areas are eligible for funding in pursuit of the following mission goals addressed by EcoFaith Network efforts: worship, education, congregational life, buildings and grounds, community action, and other creation care centered activities.
Sample projects might look like but not be limited to the following:
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Increase community understanding of the relationship between faith in a God of creation and promoting care for creation through worship and biblical/theological reflection;
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Increase community knowledge of specific ways the congregation/organization can honor creation through environmental education;
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Develop and implement “green” ways for people to gather that minimize carbon footprints while nourishing relationships;
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Strengthen congregational/organizational commitment to creation care with policies and practices on their physical site that reflect best practices (e.g. energy audits, recycling, use of solar/wind energy, use of grounds, etc.);
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Nurture congregational/organizational participants to become more engaged with other entities, agencies, and organizations involved in creation care efforts through events, networking, community action, political advocacy, etc.;
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Undertake creation care activities in such areas as:
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Pollinator Projects (including perennial planting, rain gardens, rain barrels)
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Community gardens
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Art that promotes creation care
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Participation in creation care research projects
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Inter-generational creation care ministry with children and youth
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Participation in regional environmental events – e.g. conferences, special events, wilderness encounters and youth ministry creation care efforts.
Micro-Grant Application Questions
Micro-Grant Applications will ask you to provide answers to the following:
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An overall project description and specific goals.
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A description of how the project aligns with the EcoFaith Network’s mission statement and areas of focus as described above: How will the project serve the healing of a wounded creation?
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A brief description of the implementation process and a timeline of the project.
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Tell us how this project will benefit the congregational/organizational community and the wider community.
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If there are environmental impacts to be addressed, tell us how this will occur.
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What are the potential risks or unknowns involved in this project?
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Please provide an itemized description of project expenses and funding sources.
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Briefly describe the congregational/organizational fiscal host responsible for the financial management of grant funds.
2023 Micro-Grant Recipients
2022 Micro-Grant Recipients
Micro-Grant Recipients
Community Garden Set-Up
First Lutheran Church, Duluth MN
Grant Recipient
Stewardship of Building and Grounds
French River Lutheran Church, French River MN
Grant Recipient
Butterfly Sanctuary Church
& Community Collaboration
Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa MN
Grant Recipient
Other Funding and Technical Resources
Energy
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CERT (Clean Energy Resource Teams) - Funding opportunities arise once every 2 years and are typically seed funding opportunities in the amount of $5,000 or less. CERTs can help identify resources to successfully implement and complete clean energy projects, and has many resources listed on their website, including model ordinances for solar and wind energy.
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Your local electric utility - Each Minnesota utility s required by state statute to have a Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). Connect with you local utility to see if they have any rebates for energy efficiency or renewable energy.
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MN RETAP (Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program) - a program operated through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that works to help cities, counties, and others reduce their carbon footprints by conducting energy audits and reducing energy consumption. More resources can be found here.
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USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) - with countless program offerings, one of perhaps the most relevant to energy & Environment work is the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA's Landscape Planning efforts offer a watershed and flood prevention program that works with local government on watershed projects. USDA also offers energy efficiency and renewable energy grants and loans from the Rurual Energy for America Program (REAP).
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Solar United Neighbors - bulk solar buys
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Water & Forestry
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MN DNR - wildlife management areas, aquatic invasive species, forestry management, and many other services.
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MDH (MN Department of Health) - drinking water quality and testing.
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One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) - Minnesota does watershed-based planning and project implementation and have funds to implement projects that improve water quality. Check to see if your watershed is participating with the link or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
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Your local Soil and Water Conservation District - annual tree planting and area specific initiatives.
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General
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UMN RSDP (University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Program) - There are five regional sustainable partnerships connecting Greater MN communities to the U of MN in order to support local sustainability projects.
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Minnesota Green Corps - a program operated through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that addresses critical environmental issues and provides green job skills to service members who serve for 11 months with local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
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GreenStep Cities - a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency program that helps cities become more sustainable through peer connections, funding and technical assistance.
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MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) - funding opportunities are fluid, so check the website for the latest opportunities.