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TOP FIVE
for
[October 15, 2026]
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2026 Conference Grants cycle now open
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The Virginia Annual Conference Grantmaking Cooperative is accepting applications from October 1 through November 16, 2026. This year, the Cooperative is looking to fund initiatives across the Virginia Annual Conference that live out our connectional and missional calling, with the goal of large-scale community transformation. The Cooperative is looking for strong applications will show that the initiative to be:
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- coordinated among multiple United Methodist congregations and ministry expressions
- has defined, measurable impact in one or more communities
- promotes Wesleyan theology, ecclesiology, and praxis
- has buy-in from partner congregations and ministries
- is a new or renewed opportunity for partnership and community impact
Please note: grant funds may not be used for brick-and-mortar or overhead costs.
Plan to prepare the following:
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- a cover letter,
- executive summary,
- statement of need,
- detailed objective and strategy,
- plan of evaluation,
- and proposed budget.
If this project has operated in previous years, please include financial reports.
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How to apply:
1. Go to the application portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog?urlkey=vaumc
2. New users: create an account for your organization. Returning users: log in with your existing credentials.
3. Complete the application. Your progress saves, so you can come back and finish later.
4. Submit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Monday, November 16, 2026. This is a firm deadline; the portal will not accept late submissions.
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Webinar: How to Choose an Online Giving Platform for Your Needs
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Choosing an online giving platform can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options available, church leaders often struggle to evaluate processing fees, user experience, reporting capabilities, and the features that matter most for their ministry.
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Join the Foundation for this practical webinar featuring Erica Allen and Weston Williams of Horizons Stewardship. Together, we’ll explore what leaders should consider when evaluating online giving platforms, how to ask the right questions, and ways to align your technology choices with a culture of generosity. This session is ideal for church leaders seeking greater clarity and confidence in selecting a platform that serves both their congregation and their mission.
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The webinar will be held on Tuesday, November 3, from 11 a.m. to noon. It’s free, and space is limited, so register now to secure your spot! Register now...
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Proposal moves forward for the new connectional ministries agency
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UNITED METHODIST NEWS--The proposal to unify four general agencies of The United Methodist Church — Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries (GBGM), Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), and United Methodist Communications (UMCom) — to create a new connectional ministries agency has passed its next significant milestone. During the 2026 fall board meetings of these agencies, board members voted to approve the recommended new agency name and the drafted unification legislation. The legislation will now advance to a review by the Standing Committee on Regional Conference Matters (SCRCM). Read more...
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Support Wesley Housing this November
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For more than 50 years, Wesley Housing has been helping families build stronger, more stable lives by providing access to safe, affordable housing. Today, Wesley Housing provides affordable rental homes to more than 5,300 residents throughout Virginia and Washington, DC. But Wesley Housing goes beyond providing roofs overhead. Through educational, enrichment, and supportive programs, Wesley Housing helps residents gain stability, pursue opportunities, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Consider giving today and helping Wesley Housing “build up” our community and the lives of our low-income neighbors. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org/donate.
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Apply to Youth Service Fund missional grant
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The Youth Service Fund is a denominational missional grant fund that supports youth in mission in five areas: Faith Sharing and Outreach, Leadership Development, Scholarships for education/training, service, mission, or other ministries, ministry with at-risk youth, or agricultural or vocational development. These grants support local church youth from the Virginia conference in ministries that they lead, which also benefit youth, with funds raised by youth. The application for grants for 2027 is open now through February 1, 2027. Award decisions will come by March 1. To apply use this form. For more information, see the website: https://vaumc.org/youth-service-fund/.
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Subscribe to VAUMC communications
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Individuals can opt in to curated email subscriptions from VAUMC Communications.
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Offerings are:
• Obituaries (sent out as they are received by the Communications Office)
• Local Church events (sent out biweekly)
• Jobs (sent out biweekly)
• The Top Five (Every Thursday, this is a news wrap up to give clergy and laity the tops five news items going into the weekend
• Advocate newsletter (sent every Tuesday featuring Virginia UM and denominational news, grants, connection and educational opportunities)
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Public Notice Board
Have questions to crowd-source or looking for something? Find announcements or send in a posting to share conference-wide. Learn more...
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