This Panel is searching for an additional 2 members for Fall 2022.
The Fund for Unitarian Universalism makes grants to Unitarian Universalist organizations and projects that strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and community life, nurture and celebrate our liberal religious heritage, and encourage a generosity among Unitarian Universalists that is reflected in commitments of time, money and energy. The priority of the Fund is to make grants for innovative, challenging or experimental projects that demonstrate potential for wide denominational impact and/or address needs unmet by the present institutional structures. We rarely make grants for projects where the impact is limited to the applicant organization.
The Fund for Unitarian Universalism receives 15–20 applications/cycle and makes 25-30 grants/year totaling $290,000.
Meetings: Each cycle contains 2 to 3 Zoom meetings, lasting 2 hours, each; in-person 1 to 2 days.
Panels members should have an understanding of UU organizations, history, theology, and policies.
Panel members are appointed by the President of the UUA and serve up to 4 2-year terms.
Unitarian Universalist Funding Panels Mission Statement
Inspired by the richness and diversity of the liberal religious tradition which guides us, the mission of the Unitarian Universalist Funding Program is to promote the influence of Unitarian Universalist principles through grantmaking. Grants are made which support the work of social justice, strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions, make Unitarian Universalism more visible in the world, and transform gratitude for being into generosity of living.
More Details about the Unitarian Universalist Funding Panels
Panels meet twice a year to review applications and make grants (usually November/December and May/June – variable given people’s schedules). Each of the four Funds has its own mission, guidelines, and process.
Panel members read all proposals to their Fund, and make comments and questions on the application platform (Foundant). Each Panel is assigned between 2 and 8 applications – for these, they contact the applicant, introduce themselves, ask questions, get updates on the work, make the process humane. This conversation is part of the presentation at the Panel meeting.
Panel members are not expected to advocate for the proposals they are assigned to, but rather to present more information and updates. Each application is discussed with the entire Panel and funding decisions are made by consensus. While we used to meet in person in Boston over one to three days, we now meet on Zoom in two to four meetings lasting two hours, each.
Each Panel is comprised of ministers and lay leaders.