Lurleen V. Holland Church Improvement Grant
Origionally established in honor of Lurleen V. Holland, the Church Improvement Grant has always celebrated her selfless spirit and significant contributions to our community. In keeping with her wishes, her name graces this initiative posthumously, ensuring her legacy of kindness and generosity lives on to inspire future generations. The purpose of the Church Improvement Fund (CIF) is to provide grants for capital improvements to predominately African American churches in Carroll County, Georgia. Priority will be given to churches that have limited ability to raise funds above normal operating costs.
Funding Details:
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Total Available Funds: $75,000 per year.
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Requests exceeding this amount will not be considered.
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It is the donor’s wish to assist as many churches as possible each year; therefore, no single church is eligible to receive all available funds.
Guidelines:
Please carefully review the guidelines for the Church Improvement Fund grant program. Funding priorities focus on brick-and-mortar projects that improve the physical condition of the church and enhance its ability to serve the congregation and community.
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Eligible Projects: Structural or facility improvements.
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Ineligible Costs: Furnishings (such as chairs or pews) and parking lots.
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Property Requirement: Grant funds cannot be used to improve leased property. The building and property must be owned by the church.
Requirements for Consideration:
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Churches must have been in existence for a minimum of 10 years.
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A 25/75 cash match is required: the applicant church contributes 25% of the project cost; the CIF provides the remaining 75%.
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Applications will be evaluated based on demonstrated need (plans, cost estimates, community service, etc.) and financial stability.
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Multi-year grants are allowed; however, a church may not receive more than three grants within a five-year period.
LOI Submission Process
To help ensure churches submit well-planned and realistic proposals, this Letter of Intent (LOI) form is the first required step in the application process.
Please complete and submit your LOI by February 1.
After reviewing your submission, a representative from the Community Foundation of West Georgia will contact you to schedule a required site visit during February. Site visits must take place during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, and will help us better understand your project needs.
If your church is eligible after the site visit, you will be invited to apply when the full grant application opens on March 15.
Please note: Submission of the LOI, participation in the site visit, and an invitation to apply do not guarantee funding.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us.