Self-Development of People of Central Virginia offers grants of up to $10,000 to community organizations working on issues of poverty, injustice, and oppression.
Qualifying for grants is not dependent on religious affiliation in any way. Grants are open to all who satisfy the program’s basic requirements outlined below.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our fall grant worshops designed to help you with the application process and answer all your questions!
SDOP Criteria — Who Qualifies?
The following standards are used by Self-Development of People Committees to determine whether a project is valid for funding within this ministry. Your project must include all of the following:
Projects considered must:
- Be presented, owned, and controlled by the group of economically poor people who will benefit directly from it.
- Address long-term correction of conditions that keep people bound by poverty and oppression. This will utilize some combination of the SDOP core strategies to promote justice, build solidarity, advance human dignity, and advocate for economic equity.
- Be sensitive to the environment while accomplishing its goal(s) and objectives.
- Not advocate violence as a means of accomplishing its goal(s) and objectives.
Projects presented for funding will:
- Describe, in detail, its goal(s) (the point of the project), its objectives (the specific steps the group will take to accomplish the goal[s]), the way the direct beneficiaries will be involved in all stages of the project, and the methods to be used to achieve the goal(s) and objectives. It will also specify how those methods align with the SDOP core strategies.
- Describe fully the resources known to be available for its support, including a description of a) those within the community, b) those available to the community, and c) the in-kind and other financial resources sought or to be sought.
- Contain a balanced income and expenditure budget. A financial plan showing expected income and expenditures over the funding term of the project will be included.
- Specify an evaluation plan that includes how progress toward the stated goal(s) and objectives will be evaluated, and when the evaluation will be made. This plan will also outline how progress toward the goal(s) and objectives align with the SDOP core strategies.
Additionally, Please Note:
- Qualifying for grants is not dependent on religious affiliation in any way. Applicants are not required to have PC(USA) affiliation.
- Organizations applying for a grant with SDOP of Central Virginia also must operate in one or more of the following Virginia counties or a city within this geographic area: Albemarle, Amelia, Brunswick, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Dinwiddie, Essex, Goochland, Greene, Greensville, Hanover, Henrico, King & Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Orange, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Sussex, or Westmoreland.
Application Process
The application deadline is November 1.
The application process is composed of:
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- Detailed application and assessment of qualifications
- Final selections
Funds are limited, and not all applicants are guaranteed grants. Applicants who qualify for final selections will be ranked based on strength of compliance with Self-Development’s criteria and awards made based on available funds.
Steps to apply:
1. Review the SDOP Criteria listed at left and ensure your group meets each of the areas of criteria.
2. Download and complete the SDOP of Central Virginia application:
3. Email your completed application to SDOP of Central Virginia.
Questions?
Email the SDOP committee. Or, you may call Presbytery of the James at (804) 262-2074 and leave a message for the SDOP committee. A member of the committee will return your call or email as soon as possible.