Deering Grants
Drawing from the Deering Fund, which was established from the sale of the Deering Conference Center in Deering, NH in the late 1980s, Deering Grants are available for any Camp, Program, Conference or Retreat Center that holds a current membership with the Outdoor Ministries Association. Since 2008, OMA has awarded numerous grants to assist outdoor ministry sites with everything from professional development to reducing their carbon footprint.
The purpose of Deering Grants is to enhance the following vision OMA holds for our Outdoor Ministry Sites and Programs: Grounded in Christ, the Outdoor Ministries of the UCC are called to provide sacred time and space to allow opportunity for Transformation of hearts and minds, relevant and integrated ways to live more Christlike, and prophetic visions that engage people in acts of justice and mercy.
History
Deering Grants are supported by interest from the Deering Fund, which has continued to grow since the 1980s, funding not only our annual Deering Grants, but other important aspects of OMA. The fund is also used to support our National Staff Person and to offset the cost of educational events for Outdoor Ministries. Interest alone supports all three of these objectives; the principal fund is not currently being used.
Over the past 10 years, Deering Grants have received a tremendous response from our member sites. The ability to apply to these grants is a core benefit to becoming a member of OMA.
Application Guidelines
Sites and programs to be funded must have goals consistent with the vision of OMA. Deering Grants are available to all OMA members who have paid their dues for the past 2 years by December 31, 2024.
There are three $2500 grants available that must have matching funds arranged and three $1000 gifts.
Award of funds will be based on a written application and possibly an interview with a member of the Deering Grant Fund team.
Camps that received grants the previous year may still apply, but that will be taken into consideration.
Recipients of grants are expected to send a brief description of how the grant was used along with a picture.
Excellent sources of matching funding for the $2,500 grants can include the UCC conference and/or association in which the camp is located, and local churches. The OMA Board is happy to provide a letter of support to your conference to aid in securing funding. If you have questions about the matching funds, please feel free to contact Kaila Russell.
