A Lilly Endowment Grant Development Workshop for New England Church & Ministry Leaders

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Helping Churches Turn Vision into Meaningful Community Impact

What if your church could develop a new partnership that not only addresses significant needs in your community but also strengthen the spiritual vitality and mission of your congregation?

The New England Mission Foundation invites a select group of church and ministry leaders to participate in a practical, hands-on workshop focused on the Lilly Endowment's Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative.

This significant funding opportunity is designed to encourage Christian congregations to work collaboratively with other churches and community organizations to address pressing local needs while strengthening congregational life, faith formation, and Christian witness.

This workshop will help leaders explore how their ministry vision might align with this unique funding opportunity and begin developing a compelling concept for consideration.

What You Will Learn

Led by Dr. Kevin Lawson, who brings experience with Lilly Endowment grant development, this interactive workshop will help participants:
• Understand the Lilly Endowment opportunity: Explore the initiative's purpose, funding priorities, eligibility requirements, and application process.
• Identify meaningful community needs: Consider opportunities where churches can make a measurable difference in the lives of their neighbors.
• Build effective partnerships: Learn how congregations and charitable or community organizations can collaborate around a shared mission.
• Strengthen congregational vitality: Explore how serving neighbors can deepen discipleship, spiritual formation, and the life of the church.
• Develop a strong ministry concept: Learn what makes a compelling concept paper and how to communicate a clear, achievable vision.
• Create an actionable roadmap: Identify the next steps toward developing a potential Lilly Endowment concept-paper submission.

More Than a Seminar — A Working Session

Our goal is for every participant to leave with more than information.

Throughout the workshop, leaders will have opportunities to discuss their ideas, receive guidance, and begin creating a one-page ministry concept that identifies:

1. The community need or opportunity being addressed.
2. The congregations and potential community partners involved.
3. The proposed collaborative ministry initiative.
4. The anticipated community and congregational impact.
5. The next steps toward developing a concept paper.

Participants will also receive guidance on preparing for the initiative's anticipated January concept-paper deadline.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is especially designed for:
• Senior pastors and executive pastors
• Church leadership and ministry development teams
• Ministry leaders with innovative ideas for serving their communities

Space will be limited to approximately 12–16 leaders to encourage meaningful discussion, individual attention, and practical collaboration.