LWML > Missions > Submitting a Proposal

GUIDELINES

Submitting a Grant Proposal to the LWML 2009 Convention

• Download a printable PDF file of the Guidelines here

• Download Directory of Grant Personnel (PDF File)
  (See Step II below)

* PROPOSAL DEADLINE - SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 *

PROPOSAL PREPARATION

STEP I. RESOURCES FOR PROCEDURES AND SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS

A. PEOPLE: LCMS World Mission, Missionaries, District Synod Executives, LWML Vice President of Gospel Outreach.

B. LWML HANDBOOK: ARTICLE XVII - MISSION GRANT PROPOSALS

SECTION 1

1. Mission grant proposals may be submitted by individual members, local units, zones, districts and Synod boards only.
2. Seventeen (17) copies of the proposal must be submitted.
3. Proposals must be submitted to the Vice President of Gospel Outreach of the LWML before September 30 of even-numbered years.
4. Proposals for all mission grants, except those submitted by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod boards shall:
   1. Be approved by the Executive Committee of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League district in which they originate.
   2. Be approved by the District President of the Synod district in which the project is located.

SECTION 2

The Vice President of Gospel Outreach shall present the mission grant proposals to the President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or his representative, and to the Synod officials for evaluation.

After consultation with synod officers, the Mission Advocacy and Grants Committee shall select the mission grant proposals to appear on the ballot, upon approval by the Executive Committee of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

SECTION 3

1. Funds voted for a mission grant must be disbursed within two (2) fiscal biennia; the biennium in which they were voted upon and the one following. The convention may extend the time for one (1) biennium in case of extenuating circumstances.
2. In the event that changes in mission grant plans arise because of changing world conditions, the Board of Directors shall be authorized to act, either in session or by mail.

C. MISSION GRANTS BOOKLET (Revised) Available from the LWML Office.

D. LWML HANDBOOK: GRANT CRITERIA (D-8) Special Helps

1. Be 'mission' in emphasis - extending the ministry of the Word.
2. Fit into the plans and projections of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
3. Be current and ready for implementation.
4. Be well-documented.

STEP II. WRITING THE PROPOSAL

1. Resolution format - IMPERATIVE.
   1. Refer to samples in the Mission Grants Booklet, the LWML Handbook, or previous convention manuals.
   2. Be concise.
      1. Purpose or grant goal statement.
      2. State the needs.
      3. A basic financial statement.
         1. Amount of funds requested.
         2. Itemize use of funds.
         3. If partial funding, list the total amount and source of additional funds.
2. Detailed Information Paper (maximum length of 8 pages, single-side separate from the Resolution)
   1. Names and comments of people having special knowledge of the project (one letter of support is sufficient.)
   2. Current need
   3. Assurance of continued support and maintenance
3. Directory of Grant Personnel - approvals and signatures (see form), 17 copies
   1. Name of proposed grant
   2. Submitted by: member, local group, zone, district
   3. Name and signature of LWML District President
   4. Name and signature of Synod District President
   5. Grant Administrator
   6. Funds will be sent to: name, address, phone

STEP III. SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL

There are 17 people that will review the proposal. Each member must have the complete proposal for thorough evaluation. Send 17 copies of each of the following: Directory of Grant Personnel, the Resolution, background and financial information, letter of support and/or brochure to:

Revised 11/07

* PROPOSAL DEADLINE *
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

DID YOU REMEMBER TO ... ???

• Fill out the Directory of Personnel Form and include 17 copies of it with your proposal.
• Get the two signatures (on the Directory) necessary for validation. (Synod Boards do not require signatures)
• Include your proposal in resolution form.
• Stay within the 8 single side page limit of supplementary material (extra pages may be eliminated).
• Make sure the submitter is either an LWML individual, society, zone or district.

SUGGESTIONS

• If the Directory of Personnel page is recopied, be sure all the information is on only one side of one page.
• "Funds should be sent to" (on Directory of Personnel page) should be a person or organization that is stateside (not a foreign country). Administrators may be from a foreign country. Protocol suggests that when a foreign partner church is involved, the proposal be first submitted to World Mission for confirmation of viability and agreement in sending any funding.
• When assembling proposal materials, do not use additional fancy cover sheets (exceeding the 8 page limit), folders or other covers. They will be discarded when repacked to be shipped to the reviewers.