The Programs:
1. The Global Youth Service Fund (YSF) – The YSF is a unique grant program within the UMC, because ALL aspects involve youth. Youth create fundraisers and contribute money, youth decide what projects receive money, and all of the projects supported must be youth-designed, led by youth, and benefit young people. These projects are chosen based upon criteria established by the youth of the Division on Ministries with Young People. Their current priorities include (but are not limited to) community outreach and evangelism, leadership development, and justice work related to young people.
2. Grants for Ministries with Young People (GMYP) – Young People’s Ministries offers these grants through our program budget because we believe that dynamic, creative individuals and groups sometimes need resources to help a ministry become reality. These grants are meant to support creative and innovative approaches to ministry for, with, and by, young people. These applications are often chosen for their ability to create systems and models, which create meaningful ministry and discipleship opportunities with young people, that can then be shared with and replicated throughout the United Methodist connection.
The Application Process:
Stage 1: Initial Project Application. In this stage, you will submit a short-form application that provides basic information about the project; the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of the proposed project along with an estimated total budget. Stage 1 applications open in January and close on April 15. After April 15, a team of Discipleship Ministries Staff will review Stage 1 Applications. The review committee will evaluate Stage 1 applications on the following criteria:
- How well does the project fit the description of the grant’s selection criteria?
- Does the project have a real chance of successful implementation and impact?
- Does the applicant seem to be aware of their own measures of success and impact and how to self-evaluate effectiveness of their project?
You may hear back prior to April 15 regarding whether your application meets the grant criteria and moves to stage two, or does not meet criteria. If the grant application does not meet criteria, the application process ends here. The review committee will send invitations to applicants who's applications meet criteria to complete a Stage 2, full application before, or by, May 15. The Stage 2 application is due by June 15. If an application is not invited to continue in the process, an email will be sent, informing the applicant about the decision not to further consider the project. This decision is final.
If your application is selected to progress to Stage 2, you will be expected to deliver all necessary documentation by the deadline, be proactive in communication with the grants team if any issues arise that might prevent you from honoring the deadline, and be willing to provide two reports during the project period.
2025-2026 GMYP and YSF
The Programs:
1. The Global Youth Service Fund (YSF) – The YSF is a unique grant program within the UMC, because ALL aspects involve youth. Youth create fundraisers and contribute money, youth decide what projects receive money, and all of the projects supported must be youth-designed, led by youth, and benefit young people. These projects are chosen based upon criteria established by the youth of the Division on Ministries with Young People. Their current priorities include (but are not limited to) community outreach and evangelism, leadership development, and justice work related to young people.
2. Grants for Ministries with Young People (GMYP) – Young People’s Ministries offers these grants through our program budget because we believe that dynamic, creative individuals and groups sometimes need resources to help a ministry become reality. These grants are meant to support creative and innovative approaches to ministry for, with, and by, young people. These applications are often chosen for their ability to create systems and models, which create meaningful ministry and discipleship opportunities with young people, that can then be shared with and replicated throughout the United Methodist connection.
The Application Process:
Stage 1: Initial Project Application. In this stage, you will submit a short-form application that provides basic information about the project; the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of the proposed project along with an estimated total budget. Stage 1 applications open in January and close on April 15. After April 15, a team of Discipleship Ministries Staff will review Stage 1 Applications. The review committee will evaluate Stage 1 applications on the following criteria:
- How well does the project fit the description of the grant’s selection criteria?
- Does the project have a real chance of successful implementation and impact?
- Does the applicant seem to be aware of their own measures of success and impact and how to self-evaluate effectiveness of their project?
You may hear back prior to April 15 regarding whether your application meets the grant criteria and moves to stage two, or does not meet criteria. If the grant application does not meet criteria, the application process ends here. The review committee will send invitations to applicants who's applications meet criteria to complete a Stage 2, full application before, or by, May 15. The Stage 2 application is due by June 15. If an application is not invited to continue in the process, an email will be sent, informing the applicant about the decision not to further consider the project. This decision is final.
If your application is selected to progress to Stage 2, you will be expected to deliver all necessary documentation by the deadline, be proactive in communication with the grants team if any issues arise that might prevent you from honoring the deadline, and be willing to provide two reports during the project period.