First Home Grant Program

(Please email fundraisingassistant@uua.org to request the application be emailed to you as a Microsoft Word attachment.)

Statement of Purpose

The primary purpose of the UUA First Home Grant Program is to facilitate the continued growth, in the broadest sense of the term, of member societies seeking to purchase their first piece of land and/or building or to build its first spiritual home. The UUA First Home Grant Program is not designed for congregations who already own a building.

Grant Amount

A congregation may qualify for a grant equal to 10% of its capital campaign pledges. The grant will be paid in its entirety upon approval. There is a $25,000 maximum limit to any grant.

Grant Guidelines

1. Application: The congregation must submit a grant application which will include a detailed membership growth plan describing its commitment to and capacity for growth, in the broadest sense of the term.
2. Capital Campaign: The congregation must complete a capital campaign. This special fund drive raises money for a capital project, and is in addition to money raised to support the annual operating budget. Most capital campaign pledges are payable over 2 to 5 years. A letter is required from the congregation's governing body stating that the amount pledged is equivalent to at least three times the congregational pledges to the most recent annual canvass.
3. Debt Service: The congregation's debt service on all its debt must not exceed 25% of its annual operating budget in the financial projections of all future years.
4. Annual Program Fund Fair Share Status: The congregation must be a Fair Share member of the Annual Program Fund.
5. Phase I Environmental Study: A Phase I Environmental Study will be required of the congregation. A Phase II Environmental Study will be required if the Phase I Study is unsuccessful. In addition the congregation is urged to become familiar with any real or looming environmental hazards on its property (e.g. buried oil storage tanks, lead paint, asbestos, etc.). Congregations seeking a grant to purchase property are urged to include completion of a satisfactory Phase I Environmental Study into its purchase and sales agreement.
6. Insurance Coverage: The congregation must adopt the minimum recommended limits of insurance coverage that is required of all applicants. These limits are defined on the last page of the grant application.
7. In the event of the sale of the property, all outstanding debts shall be paid. The remaining assets, both real and personal, and including all property heretofore and hereinafter donated to said congregation, shall become the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or its successor, subject to all applicable laws.

Steps in the Review Process

1. The Administrator of Congregational Fundraising Services receives the completed grant application. The application is checked for completeness and each section is reviewed for accuracy and consistency. The congregation is contacted if any information is missing or if further documentation is needed.
2. The application is sent to the Director of Congregational Fundraising Services. The application is evaluated using the grant requirements. The Director of Fundraising Services makes a decision and, if approved, sends the application to the UUA Treasurer for payment.
3. The Administrator of Congregational Fundraising Services is notified of the application decision and the congregation is contacted.

UUA grants are made available to Unitarian Universalist congregations as a result of generous grants from the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock and gifts from individual donors. The Veatch Program promotes the growth of Unitarian Universalist congregations through its support of this UUA program. Please join us in expressing gratitude to them for their commitment and generosity. Please acknowledge them wherever appropriate in all printed materials.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100