Announcing the 2023 Bliss Fund Application
A new source of funding is now available for congregations and new worshiping communities in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos. The Presbytery of Los Ranchos is the recipient of a private donation from the Bliss Family, and it was determined that SCT would oversee the distribution of this fund. According to the designated terms, The Bliss Fund is to “be used for a hunger project or health ministry” in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos. According to the presbytery’s legal counsel, the definition of these projects can be fairly flexible, and may also fit well under the Strategic Coordinating Team grant funding processes for social justice, peacemaking, poverty eradication, etc., allowing expansion of the grants to be given.
The Strategic Coordinating Team has determined that all PLR faith communities may apply for grants up to $5,000 that fit these parameters. The SCT will also apply $15,000 of these monies to fulfill our annual commitment to the LAC+USC Chaplaincy Position. The Bliss Fund will be distributed by SCT until the fund is depleted and notifications for awarded grants will be posted in the SCT Report to Presbytery. The current balance of this fund is $144,455.
The Bliss Fund Application Guidelines:
- PLR congregation or recognized NWC (this fund is not for partnering organizations)
- Submit an application noting the intended purpose for the funds, such as: hunger/food insecurity/foodbank, social justice, community and mental health, social justice, peacemaking, and poverty eradication
- Recipients will submit a report to SCT, within one year, detailing how the funds were used in their faith community
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Jonas Hayes, Moderator of the Strategic Coordinating Team, or Debbie Haley.