Update from the Outreach Grant Review Committee
In December, UCU was approached by an anonymous, generous donor, willing to give a significant annual grant to bolster family and music ministry within the church over the next three years. Over the last several months, UCU has worked to clarify a process through which project ideas could be compiled, vetted, and funded. That has led to the formation of an Outreach Grant Review Committee, who shares an update below.
The Outreach Grant Review Committee is pleased to provide an update on our recent formation and progress in stewarding funds from an extraordinary gift to the United Church of Underhill.
Committee Formation and Purpose Our committee was recently formed to review and approve proposals for the Anonymous Pledge and Donation Fund. As detailed in the Donor Letter, an anonymous donor has pledged $25,000 annually for 2026, 2027, and 2028 to enhance children's education, family programming and recruitment, and music programming.
Projects Already Approved Prior to the committee's formation, the Trustees approved several exciting projects, including: • Hiring a Christian Education Director • Refurbishment of the Church's three-octave set of bells • Guest music instruction for Sunday Friends • Durable props for the Godly Play curriculum in Sunday Friends programming • Construction of a Sunday Friends Garden (raised bed installation in front of the Church) • Creation of a pumpkin and vegetable garden near the fence line behind the parsonage
Application Process Moving forward, please use the attached Outreach Grant Review Application Form (referencing the Donor Letter) to submit proposals. Email completed forms to outreachgrant@ucu.church. While we will review proposals on a rolling basis, we strongly encourage submissions for 2026 funding by July 1, 2026.
We are so excited to learn about your ideas, and look forward to supporting meaningful projects that advance UCU's mission and the Donor's intent.
Outreach Grant Review Committee
Lena Capps, Bob Carr, Julie Carr, and Robin Simard
