Woburn Grants

Woburn Fund Grant Cycle Moved to Fall 2013

The Mass Bay District's Woburn Fund grant program funding cycle has been moved to the Fall of 2013. MBD is actively working with software developers to design an online application platform that will engage the wider community of Unitarian Universalists in exciting new ways. Funding guidelines will remain focused on growth and innovation in and beyond our congregations. Keep an eye out for application details this coming summer and fall! Meanwhile, if you have questions, contact the sphillips [at] uua [dot] org (Rev. Sue Phillips), District Executive.

History & Purpose

The Woburn Fund was established in 1990 as a legacy of the Woburn Unitarian Universalist Church to assist in the growth and development of congregations in the Massachusetts Bay District. The Woburn Fund Grant Panel, acting on behalf of the District, distributes approximately $30,000 each year in a competitive process. Most grants are between $1,500 and $5,000.

Eligible Applicants

Unitarian Universalist congregations in the Massachusetts Bay District
Organizations supporting religious professionals serving Unitarian Universalist congregations in the District
Unitarian Universalist organizations whose mission explicitly includes growth and vitality of Unitarian Universalism

Woburn Fund Goals

The Woburn Fund encourages applications for projects supporting the following areas of congregational life:

Membership growth
Multigenerational connection and vitality
Leadership development
Support for staff positions directly addressing membership growth, leadership development, or multigenerational activity

Program Priorities

Priority will be given to applications with the following qualities.

The proposed activity is part of larger congregation-wide effort and has clear and sustained support from the congregation and its professional and lay leadership.
Intended outcomes from the proposed activity are reasonable, measurable, and clearly defined.
The impact and outcomes of the proposed activity will have long-term benefit to the congregation or religious professionals.
The applicant provides evidence of additional financial support for the proposed activity from the applicant congregation.
Priority will be given to congregations making Fair Share contributions to the Massachusetts Bay District and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Applications will also be considered from congregations with a board-approved plan in place to achieve Fair Share giving levels within three years.

Ineligible Uses

Applications will not be accepted for the following uses:

Capital campaigns
Building projects

Applications will not be accepted for project expenses that were incurred prior to the grant approval date. While exceptions are made under extraordinary circumstances, applications for the same project in subsequent years are strongly discouraged.

Reporting requirements

Recipients are asked to complete a final report summarizing their project and an Attestation of Use signed by the governing board, both of which are due on June 1st of the year following the grant year.

The final report form for 2012 awards, due July 1, 2013, is available here in WORD or PDF format.