Mission Grants
Thanks to the faithful generosity of our congregations across California, Nevada, and Hawaii, the CNH District Mission Agency is honored to offer three levels of mission grants—each grounded in Scripture and each designed to meet ministries where they are and help move them toward Gospel impact.
The CNH Mission Agency reviews applications twice per year—in May and October. Funds are distributed across a 12-month period, and we ask grantees to share simple updates and stories throughout the year.
Grant levels and application forms are below...
SPARK = $1500 » BUILD = $15,000 » SUSTAIN = $45,000
If you’re wondering where your ministry fits—or if you need help dreaming big—we’d love to come alongside you. We’re here to help you discern, design, and take the next step.
In the CNH District, we believe that God is already at work in your neighborhood—and that He invites us to join Him in that mission. Whether you’re planting seeds for a new idea, building momentum in an existing outreach, or moving toward long-term sustainability, we’re here to support you. Let’s move forward together—lighting the way, building strong, and bearing fruit in Jesus’ name.
For more information, contact: Paul Ferguson, Mission Executive – paul@cnh-lcms.org
SPARK
Let There Be Light
SPARK Grants are quick-start micro-grants designed to ignite brand-new ministry ideas. They’re ideal for creative outreach experiments, first steps into a new neighborhood, or short-term pilot projects.
SPARK = UP TO $1,500
The SPARK Grant is designed to spark fresh ideas and experimental outreach efforts that aim to connect a new community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We’re looking for initiatives that break new ground—projects that embody creative risk, intentional design, and a heart to reach the unreached. This is your opportunity to share your dream, describe your approach, and help us see how your idea could become a meaningful expression of the Gospel in your local context.
Successful Grants Include:
-
Focus on reaching a new or underserved community with the love and message of Jesus.
-
Serve as a test case for potential long-term ministry impact.
-
Open the door for future funding through BUILD and SUSTAIN Grants.
Let’s light the spark together. The Holy Spirit is already moving—how might God be inviting you to join Him?
Sample Uses: community dinners, mobile VBS, pop-up events, prayer walks, outreach to a new demographic or language group.
* Up to $1,500 per congregation. A congregation may submit multiple applications within a calendar year, with a combined funding cap of $1,500 per year. However, first-time applicants will be given priority over congregations that have previously received funding in the same year.
BUILD
Strengthen the Stakes
BUILD Grants provide mid-level funding to help ministries move from start-up to stable—establishing rhythms, growing teams, and deepening community presence. As your ministry gains traction, this grant helps you stretch wide and build strong.
BUILD = UP TO $15,000
The Build Grant is designed to support ministries in the CNH District that are moving beyond the initial spark and working toward consistent rhythms, leadership development, and long-term viability. We invite you to use this application to share your ministry’s story: Where has God already been at work? How are you engaging new people in your community? What systems, rhythms, or leadership structures are you developing to grow from initial launch into lasting presence?
Compelling Applications Will Show How Your Ministry:
-
Grew from a Spirit-led idea or pilot effort
-
Is gaining traction in your neighborhood or network
-
Has a plan for consistency, leadership, and community impact
Our prayer is that your ministry, strengthened in this BUILD phase, will one day be ready for larger-scale growth and SUSTAIN-level support through future District grants. Let’s strengthen the stakes—together.
Ideal For: ministries that have launched and are working toward consistency, partnerships, and measurable impact.
*Up to $15,000 (per year per congregation) This grant offers up to $15,000 per year, for a maximum of three consecutive years. Please note: funding is not guaranteed for a full three-year period. Ministries must submit a new application each year, and continued support is based on annual review and approval by the CNH Mission Agency.
SUSTAIN
Bear Much Fruit
SUSTAIN Grants offer larger-scale support for ministries pursuing long-term viability and self-sustainment. This grant is for initiatives multiplying their impact and investing deeply in the community with a vision for years to come.
SUSTAIN = UP TO $45,000
The Sustain Grant is designed to support CNH ministries that are growing in health, reach, and impact—and are now ready to take the next step toward long-term sustainability. This grant is intended to help build the systems, leadership, and financial capacity necessary to support a thriving congregation, school, or mission-focused ministry for years to come.
This level of support is intended for ministries that: (A) Have grown from a successful pilot or well-developed initiative. (B) Are reaching new people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (C) Are now seeking to scale with structure, staffing, and strong stewardship practices
Your Application Should Clearly Outline:
-
How your ministry is anchored in Word and Sacrament ministry
-
What steps you’re taking to become self-sustaining
-
How your model could inspire or bless other ministry efforts in the CNH District
Our prayer is that your ministry will become a healthy, Gospel-centered model that inspires future leaders, new starts, and bold Kingdom vision across California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
Let’s build ministries that bear much fruit—together.
Common Goals: new worshiping communities, long-term staffing models, expanding outreach, or scaling successful ministry efforts.
* This grant offers up to $45,000 per year, for a maximum of three consecutive years. Please note: funding is not guaranteed for a full three-year period. Ministries must submit a new application each year, and continued support is based on annual review and approval by the CNH Mission Agency.
Stories from the Misison Field
