United Methodist Church’s Mission Ingathering Grant Program

Since its inception in 1980, the Iowa United Methodist Church’s Mission Ingathering has served as a vital channel for community generosity, collecting both cash and in-kind donations to support mission work locally in Iowa and around the world. Held annually on the first Saturday of November at five designated sites across Iowa, this statewide event serves dual purposes: addressing pressing humanitarian needs and strengthening congregational engagement in mission-focused work. One key aspect of the initiative is the Hunger Grant, which allocates a portion of the funds raised back to Iowa-based United Methodist churches for local hunger relief programs. The Hunger Grant is specifically designed to support active or new hunger-focused efforts led by Iowa United Methodist congregations. Congregations engaged in projects that directly address food insecurity, or those wishing to launch such initiatives, are encouraged to apply. Funds awarded through this program must be used exclusively for hunger relief purposes. They cannot be used to cover rent, utilities, or other forms of financial assistance unrelated to food insecurity. The grant aims to enhance community impact by ensuring that churches can scale or sustain hunger-related programs within their immediate locales. Applicants must be affiliated with an Iowa United Methodist congregation and should submit an application form that includes detailed project information, contact details, the number of individuals and families served annually, and the number of church members actively involved. Congregations must also specify the geographical area served and provide a narrative outlining how grant funds would be used. This ensures transparency, alignment with program goals, and effective resource distribution. Only one sponsoring church can be officially noted in the application, although additional collaborating congregations may be mentioned. The 2026 application window closes on March 15. All applications must be completed and submitted by this date. Grant funds will be disbursed within 30 days following the close of the application period. Payments are issued to the sponsoring church, which is then responsible for distributing funds to the respective hunger relief initiative. Checks are mailed to the church’s official mailing address, and churches may include additional information for the check stub as needed. While this program does not require a formal pre-application process such as a letter of intent, applicants are encouraged to consult with their district representatives for questions or assistance. Contact information for each district representative is made available in the application form to support applicants throughout the process. This Hunger Grant opportunity represents a recurring, annual funding cycle, tied to the Mission Ingathering event. Therefore, congregations that are not selected or prepared for the 2026 cycle may plan to participate in future years. Evaluation of submitted applications typically takes place after the March 15 deadline, and churches can expect notification and disbursement of funds within a month. This consistent cycle promotes sustainability and allows churches to align their program planning with anticipated funding timelines.