News Release

Five Churches Receive 2023 Kingdom Advancing Grants from Brotherhood Mutual Foundation to Support Innovative Programs

NOVEMBER 2023: After evaluating nearly 400 innovative, Kingdom-focused ministries launched by churches all over the United States, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation^SM recently announced the recipients of the second annual Kingdom Advancing Grant^SM. A total of $150,000 was awarded to five church programs that are impacting their communities and spreading the Gospel in unconventional and creative ways.

“It is so inspiring to see the creative ways that churches are serving their neighbors and filling gaps in their communities,” said Kathy Bruce, director of the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation. “Our goal through the Kingdom Advancing Grant is not just to recognize the work of those churches, but also to create avenues for that work to be replicated in other locations, so more lives can be changed.”

2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Good Church: Good Laundry – Flint, MI

Located in a three-square-mile area where nearly 4,000 residents don’t have access to affordable laundry services, Good Church was awarded $50,000 to renovate the lower level of its building into a low-cost laundromat. The new area will include industrial-sized washers and dryers and a lounge area for folding, waiting, and relationship-building. Volunteers who help fold clothes and oversee the lounge area will be trained in evangelism so they can share the hope of Christ as they engage with laundromat visitors.

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Bible Center Church: The Maker’s Center – Charleston, WV

In the heart of the Appalachian Region of the United States, Bible Center Church launched The Maker’s Center, a creative ministry designed to offer job skills training, soft skills training, driver’s training, and more to people who struggle with addiction and are journeying toward recovery. Bible Center Church was awarded $25,000 to expand programs at The Maker’s Center. Funds will go toward renovating their building to begin offering food-handling certifications and cooking classes to prepare people for jobs in the food service industry.

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Citipoint Church: Foster Church – Mount Vernon, WA

With its initiative to support foster children, foster families, and local child protection agencies, Citipoint Church was awarded $25,000 to expand its offerings for local foster families, including an independent living event for teens in the foster system and a local conference for foster parents. Citipoint’s Foster Church ministry pairs local foster families with dedicated Look Out Teams who provide meals, respite care, transportation, and more.

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Shalom Community Christian Church: SMART Academic & Enrichment Program – Greensboro, NC

The Science, Math, Arts, Reading, and Technology (SMART) Academic & Enrichment Program launched by Shalom Community Christian Church received $20,000 to fund initiatives that will support underserved students, such as securing bus vouchers for transportation and hiring specialized staff for students with individualized education plans. Many students begin this program at least one level below their respective grade level in math and/or reading skills—but through SMART, they often gain the skills they need to be at or above their grade level by the end of the program.

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Salem Alliance Church: Refugee Employment – Salem, OR

Because Salem is a major resettlement city for refugees arriving in the United States, Salem Alliance Church founded several programs designed to create jobs and opportunities for refugees. The church was awarded $30,000 to support Sparrow Furniture, its manufacturing and woodworking business that provides paid apprenticeships for refugees, and its Baraka English program, which offers free English classes and childcare for women learning the language. Through these two programs, Salem Alliance Church shares the love of Christ by helping refugees build resumes, get connected in the community, and secure long-term employment.

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ABOUT THE GRANT

The Kingdom Advancing Grant, which is funded through the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation, was developed to support church programs that are transforming local communities through service and ministry. Recipients of the grant must demonstrate the following requirements:

• Directly overseen by the church.
• Intended to help build the Kingdom by introducing people to Jesus or strengthening their relationship with Jesus.
• Involves a unique idea that's innovative, creative, and new, and that other churches are not already doing.
• Can be sustained over time.
• Can be replicated by other churches.

In addition to the funding allotted to them, each recipient receives a year of mentorship from members of the Granting Council. Granting Council representatives are representatives from ministries across the country.

In the inaugural year of the Kingdom Advancing Grant, $150,000 was awarded to four initiatives led by churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Tennessee. Read more about the 2023 and 2022 recipients at www.brotherhoodmutual.com/kingdom-advancing-grant/recipients

NEXT GRANT CYCLE OPENS JANUARY 8, 2024

The Kingdom Advancing Grant is awarded annually. The next grant cycle begins January 8, 2024. The application deadline is March 27, 2024.

Learn more here: www.brotherhoodmutual.com/kingdom-advancing-grant

About Brotherhood Mutual Foundation^SM
A private nonprofit established by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, the Foundation exists to distribute funds used to promote and encourage charitable, religious, and educational projects. Since 2005, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars to support dozens of nonprofit organizations whose work transforms their communities. www.brotherhoodmutual.com/kingdom-advancing-grant

About Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
Celebrating more than 100 years in business, Brotherhood Mutual^® is a national property and casualty insurance company with a heart for helping Christian ministries thrive. As a leader in the industry, Brotherhood Mutual provides innovative insurance coverage and risk management resources, specifically designed for ministries, to help them operate safely and effectively. The company serves more than 65,000 churches, schools, colleges and universities, camps, and mission organizations in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, Brotherhood Mutual provides access to payroll and tax filing services, employee health benefits, auto insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and mission travel insurance. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, Brotherhood Mutual is staffed by 600+ employees and works with 424 independent agents in 93 agencies nationwide. www.brotherhoodmutual.com