Presbytery

 Presbytery of Genesee Valley – 1049 WEGMAN ROAD – ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14624 (585) 242-0080 – WEBSITE: www.pbygenval.org 

Vision of the Racial Justice, Peace and Advocacy Working Group (RJPAWG): To create a world where racial justice exists for all individuals and where peace and collaboration prevail among people and nations. Mission of the Racial Justice, Peace and Advocacy Working Group (RJPAWG): Working in solidarity to advocate for Christ’s peace and racial justice.

Racial Justice, Peace and Advocacy Working Group 2026 MATTHEW 25 GRANT APPLICATION. All grant applications MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL BY June 15, 2026 for consideration of 2026 awards. Send to M25grant@pbygenval.org. Grants are awarded no later than August 1, 2026. 2026 Matthew 25 Grant Application.

Welcome to the 2026 Matthew 25 Grant Application. If you’ve applied before, you’ll notice some important changes, especially to the word limits and structure of the application. These updates were made intentionally to reduce barriers, honor applicants’ time, and ensure this grant is more accessible to grassroots organizations and community-led efforts that are closest to the work and the people most impacted. By offering clearer prompts and streamlined word counts, we aim to center strong ideas, lived experience, and long-term impact rather than lengthy narratives.

Important dates to remember:

1. April 15, 2026: Application Releasing
2. June 15, 2026: Final Submission Due
3. August 1, 2026: Funding Announcement,
4. April 30, 2027: Final Report Due. 

Important Information for Applicants:

We are excited to learn about your work and the opportunity to partner with you in advancing the mission of the Matthew 25 initiative: advancing racial justice, dismantling systemic poverty, and building lasting vitality within the geographic area of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, (all of Monroe and parts of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties). You can contact us to confirm whether your area is included.  https://directory.in-c.net/pdf/20260411_pgv_churches_public.pdf

We prioritize proposals that produce meaningful, long-term impact and contribute to sustainable systemic change. While many efforts are valuable, our funding is intended for initiatives that create benefits extending into the future. For example, we would not fund one-time transportation to the polls, but we would consider supporting improvements to a polling location in an underserved community that would increase voting access for years to come.

There is no fixed cap on grant awards. Funding levels will depend on the scope and needs of the proposed project. While Matthew 25 grants are relatively small compared to larger funding opportunities, we encourage applicants to request the amount truly necessary to achieve their stated goals and objectives, and not to exceed what is required.

Thank you for your interest in applying for a Matthew 25 grant. 

Please contact us if you have questions. Send completed applications and inquiries to: m25grant@pbygenval.org.

START:

Application Info Section

Keep this factual and brief:

• Name, location, website: 15–30 words
• Contact person info: 15–20 words
• Title and time span of grant: 10–20 words
•  New or continuing project? 1 sentence

Narrative Questions + Ideal Word Count 

2. Use of Grant Funds

Specify in detail how you will use the grant funds to dismantle structural racism and/or eradicate systemic poverty. Identify the specific need you will be addressing.

 Target: 175–225 words

• Be clear about what the money will fund (staff, workshops, materials, stipends, etc.).
• Tie specific activities to dismantling racism or poverty.
• Define the need in your community (e.g., lack of access, racial disparities, joblessness, etc.). 

3. Overall Goal & Organizational Vitality

What is the overall goal you hope to achieve with the grant? Be specific. Document how your group has the organizational vitality to accomplish these goals.

Target: 150–200 words

• State 1–2 focused goals.
•  Use SMART-style goal language (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
•  Mention your team’s strengths, experience, and how past work shows readiness.

4. Budget

Include a budget with all proposed expenditures. (Identify any sources of income beyond this grant).

Format: Simple budget table or bullet list, with short paragraph explanation (50–75 words)

• Break down expenses (e.g., facilitators: $2,000; materials: $800).
• It is imperative to give full details (e.g., list all items).
• Mention if any in-kind or matching support is included. 

5. Statement of Support/Recommendation

Include a statement preferably from someone who has benefited from your prior/current efforts.

            Format: 1–2 paragraph testimonial or letter (100–150 words)

•  Ideally, this is separate from the application (written by a participant, partner, or community leader).
•   If needed, write a template and have someone personalize it.

6. Additional Partnership Opportunities

If awarded, in what other ways could we partner with you to help the grant succeed?

            Target: (75–100 words)

• Suggest community visits, sharing your results through their network, help with connections, or volunteering.

7. Final Report (due April 30, 2027) though not part of the initial application, it helps to design your answers with the final report in mind:

• Make clear, measurable goals.
•  Identify who is impacted
•  Think about how you will measure transformation or engagement.
•  Plan for pictures, testimonials, and stories to include in the future report.

Thank You for your participation