Funding Your Participation

Many clergy never pay for professional renewal out of pocket. Denominations, conferences, regions, pension boards, foundations, and congregations set aside money for continuing education, wellness, and renewal leave, and it often goes unclaimed because people don't know it exists or how to ask.

This page gathers funding sources that clergy have used or may be able to use toward programs like the Restoration Fellowship. It is organized by denomination, with a section first for sources open to clergy of any tradition. If you need a program description or invoice to attach to an application, contact Restore Clergy and we will help.

Please check before you apply. We compiled this list from public sources in October 2026. Programs, amounts, deadlines, and eligibility change often, and each funder decides for itself whether a program qualifies. Restore Clergy does not administer these funds and cannot guarantee eligibility or an award. Nothing here is tax or legal advice.

How to make your request

  • Ask your congregation first. Many calls, letters of agreement, and compensation guidelines include a continuing education allowance and time. If yours goes unused, it may cover some or all of a program.
  • Use the right frame. Depending on the funder, the Fellowship may fit best as continuing education, a wellness grant, or part of a renewal plan. Read each funder's definitions and use their language.
  • Get an endorsement if one is required. Several funders want your regional minister, Commission or Committee on Ministry, or bishop's office to approve the program.
  • Combine sources. Many funders expect cost-sharing among you, your congregation, and the denomination, so a few smaller awards can add up.
  • Ask your congregation about an accountable reimbursement plan. Employer reimbursement of documented professional expenses is generally treated differently for tax purposes than expenses you pay yourself. Check with a tax professional about your situation.

Funding by denomination

Jump to: Any denomination · The United Methodist Church · Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) · United Church of Christ · Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) · Reformed Church in America · Episcopal Church · Evangelical Lutheran Church in America · Church of the Brethren · Other traditions

Open to clergy of any denomination

Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs (Christian Theological Seminary)

  • Congregations apply on behalf of their pastor for up to $60,000 to fund a renewal leave. Funds may be used only for costs of the congregation's and pastor's renewal program, not for degree work.
  • Only pastors serving in congregational ministry qualify, and a pastor may benefit once.
  • CTS has said the next program year opens in November 2026, when the new Request for Proposals is posted. Confirm the deadline on the CTS site.
  • The Fellowship could be one component of a renewal plan. Confirm with CTS that your design is an allowable use.
  • Clergy Renewal Programs at CTS

Church Benefits Association clergy wellness grants (Lilly-funded, 2027 and 2028)

  • The Church Benefits Association (CBA) received a $30 million Lilly Endowment grant for clergy wellness. Its four parts are research, denominational programs, "Be Still and Know" leave grants, and CBA Core4, an ecumenical wellness program.
  • "Be Still and Know" grants are intended to fund an additional month of leave for clergy serving smaller congregations, generally those with budgets under about $200,000 (this may vary by denomination) and average worship attendance under 125.
  • Funding flows through CBA member organizations, which are denominational pension and benefit providers. Ask your denomination's benefits office whether it is participating and how clergy apply.

Your own congregation or employer

  • Continuing education line item or allowance in your call, contract, or compensation guidelines
  • Congregational endowment or memorial funds designated for ministry, staff development, or the pastor's renewal

The United Methodist Church

Funding is mostly set at the conference level, and it has been growing. Check your conference's Board of Ordained Ministry (continuing education), Board of Pension and Health Benefits (wellness and renewal), and conference foundation. Examples:

  • Michigan Conference. Clergy Renewal Grants of up to $5,000 (available every seven years) and Clergy Wellness Grants of up to $4,000 per quadrennium, which can cover coaching, retreats, and continuing education. Applications opened July 1, 2026. Active clergy only. Board of Ordained Ministry continuing education funds are also available. Michigan benefits grants
  • Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Well-Being Mini-Grants (up to $500 in 2026) and Clergy Renewal Grants for clergy and congregations. Clergy care grants
  • United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio. Travel and Renewal Grants and education or personal development grants (including coaching) for provisional and ordained clergy, $500 to $3,500. The fall cycle opened September 1, 2026. West Ohio grants

Many other conferences and United Methodist foundations have similar funds. Ask your district superintendent or conference benefits officer what exists where you serve.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Disciples Home Missions Clergy Continuing Education Grants

  • Limited funds for ordained and commissioned clergy with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The current application period is September 1 to October 31, 2026, so check for the next cycle.
  • The program must be recognized by an accrediting body beyond the sponsor, approved by a regional or general unit of the church, or endorsed by your regional Commission on the Ministry. Denominational assemblies do not qualify.
  • Applicants and their partners (such as the congregation) are encouraged to share the cost. Recipients submit itemized receipts after the program.
  • Clergy Continuing Education Grants

Regions and congregations

  • Ask your Regional Minister about regional continuing education funds and whether the Region has partnered with outside programs for clergy cohorts.
  • Congregational continuing education allowances and designated funds (see "Open to clergy of any denomination").

United Church of Christ

Support is largely through Conferences and Associations. Start with your Associate Conference Minister or Committee on Ministry. Examples:

  • Kansas-Oklahoma Conference. Continuing education scholarships of up to $1,000 per year for authorized ministers, plus clergy counseling support, on a rolling basis. KO scholarships
  • Northern California Nevada Conference. Church and Clergy Vitality Grant Fund for continuing education that supports an authorized minister's health and vitality, with awards in April and October. Vitality Grant Fund
  • Wisconsin Conference. Continuing Education Grant for Authorized Ministers and Ministerial Assistance Grants, the latter often in partnership with the Pension Boards.
  • National Setting and Pension Boards-UCC. The national setting lists ministry education and leadership development scholarships, and the Pension Boards support ministerial assistance, often through Conferences. Ask your Conference what is available.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Board of Pensions Assistance Program

  • Clergy Wellness Support. A well-being grant for ministers in the Pastor's Participation or Minister's Choice plans whose effective salary does not exceed $80,000 (excluding manse value), for vocational, spiritual, mental, and physical well-being programs. A 2024 notice listed a $5,000 grant. Confirm the current amount and approved programs.
  • Sabbath Sabbatical Support. A grant toward a minister's sabbatical, increased in 2023.
  • Assistance Program details

Also ask your presbytery about continuing education funds, and your session about your call's continuing education provision. The Board's Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations program has closed.

Reformed Church in America

Board of Benefits Services Ministerial Excellence Fund

  • Clergy Revitalization Grant. Grants of up to $3,000 to help clergy and their congregations fund a three-week mini-sabbatical, for active RCA-ordained ministers and commissioned pastors. The Fund also offers debt relief and retirement grants, and a "Bless Your Pastor" grant that churches, assemblies, and donors can contribute to. Confirm the current amounts and application dates with the Board of Benefits Services.
  • An ordained minister who remains RCA-ordained stays eligible even if their church leaves the denomination.
  • Ministerial Excellence Fund

Classis, synod, and congregation

  • The RCA Book of Church Order and synod compensation guidelines expect churches to provide pastors with continuing education time and funds, and many classes set a minimum. Ask your consistory first.
  • Ask your classis about continuing education funds or matching grants. Some RCA grants, such as the Frank Williams Fund, expect a match from the church or classis.

Episcopal Church

  • Parish and diocese. Church canons expect clergy to engage in continuing education, and parochial clergy are generally expected to have time and funding from their parish. Ask your vestry first.
  • Diocesan continuing education grants. Many dioceses have a Commission on Ministry or committee that makes grants. Examples include the dioceses of New Hampshire and Kentucky. Some give priority to newly ordained clergy and those in congregations with limited funding.
  • Church Pension Group. CPG sponsors CREDO, a wellness program for clergy, and offers wellness and education resources through its health plans. CPG benefits

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

  • The ELCA expects rostered ministers to complete at least 25 contact hours of continuing education each year, and Letters of Call and synod compensation guidelines typically set time and a congregational contribution. Some synods recommend a minimum financial commitment and ask the minister to contribute too.
  • Some synods offer limited assistance with a Continuing Education Covenant on file. See the Indiana-Kentucky Synod as an example, and ask your own synod office.
  • Portico Benefit Services offers wellness resources to ELCA leaders.

Church of the Brethren

  • The Office of Ministry directs clergy seeking support for continuing education to their district office, and to officeofministry@brethren.org for denominational grants.
  • The Church Workers Assistance Plan through Eder Financial offers clergy wellness support. Thriving in Ministry resources

Don't see your tradition?

Most denominations have funds that are not publicized widely. Try these, in order:

  • Your judicatory office (conference, region, synod, presbytery, diocese, district, or association): ask about continuing education, wellness, or renewal funds.
  • Your denomination's pension or benefits board. Many have assistance programs and are now receiving Lilly-funded clergy wellness grants through the Church Benefits Association.
  • Your denominational foundation or any foundation that supports clergy in your area.
  • Your congregation, using the suggestions above.

If you find a source that others should know about, tell us and we will consider adding it.

Last reviewed October 2026.