About the fund

Green Mustard Seed Grants are provided by the generosity of the Stoesz Family Fund. We are eager to enlarge this fund and welcome your donations as well. Donate here. 

Application Guidelines

  1. Who is eligible?
  • This grant is open to congregations within the Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada.
  • The grant is also open to entities with a nonprofit status that have a clear Anabaptist connection. Examples include:
    – A regional conference of MCUSA or MC-Canada
    – A Mennonite-affiliated non-profit
    – A faith-based non-profit working on an environmental issue and exhibiting one or both of the following connections: 1.) It includes key leaders that are Mennonite. 2) It demonstrates that it is in dialog with Anabaptist theology.
  1. How much money is available and what is the funding timeline?
  • Applicants can request up to $1000.
  • The next application deadline is April 1, 2022.
  • Awards will be announced by April 15.
  • Purchases should be made and receipts submitted by December 1 of the same year. Funds will be distributed as soon as receipts are submitted.
  1. What do Green Mustard Seed Grants fund?

    Past grant recipients:     March 2020 and September 2020 

    For solar panels and electric car charging stations, see the Net Zero Energy Grant on our website instead. Other than that, MCCN is open to a wide range of proposals that fit in one or both of the following categories.

    Goal 1:     Nurture the creativity and vision present in our network by providing financial help for projects that seek to extend God’s shalom to all creation. Examples:
    • Hosting an ecumenical gathering on a local environmental concern.
    • Installing and maintaining a pollinator garden.
    • Green building premium: Some best practices cost more up front. Having trouble selling them to the bean counters in your midst? This grant could pay the difference between what a building product would cost at your local box store and what a local and sustainable alternative might cost.
    • Preparing a weeklong watershed discipleship experience for youth.

Goal 2: Redistribute wealth to congregations of limited means in ways that address environmental injustice.

This goal is similar to the first except that it gives priority to congregations in economically disadvantaged areas that may be bearing the brunt of environmental hazards.

Examples:

    • Upgrade insulation, weather stripping, energy efficiency.
    • Partner with a nonprofit working on a local issue such as lead poisoning, air or water pollution.
    • Develop a community garden in a food desert.
    • Cover costs for a member of the congregation to attend the biennial Rooted and Grounded Conference at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
  1. What is expected of applicants?

Please complete and submit the following. Email mccn@goshen.edu to request the forms.

a. The Green Mustard Seed Project Form (2-page form)

b. The Greener Congregation Stewardship Score Sheet (2-page form)

c. A copy of your church’s or organization’s most recent annual budget.

d. If your organization is not a Mennonite Church, please provide proof of nonprofit status. For example, if you are in the USA, include a copy of your 501-3-c status determination letter.

e. An interview, write-up or photo to share with the network upon completion.

To request an application, contact mccn@goshen.edu.