MEF Application

Anticipated Award Cycle Consideration*
Pilot GroupGroup 1: January 2017Group 2: Spring 2017
Date of Point Screen Batch*
Pilot GroupJanuary 2017February 2017March 1, 2017April 17, 2017May 2017
CBF Ministerial Excellence Fund Grant Application
CBF believes congregations flourish when pastoral leaders
are empowered to minister and lead.
CBF partners with pastoral leaders and congregations to understand and to help overcome the economic barriers that impede their mission.
CBF equips pastoral leaders and congregations by providing a variety of resources including financial education, coaching and grants.

Therefore, CBF Ministerial Excellence Initiative grant provides personal and congregational financial education and monetary assistance to pastoral leaders within the Fellowship. The application process leads the applicant through stages of data gathering and reflection on the state of their personal financial affairs. The application also asks for committment to the grant award process, which includes financial education and training, and consultation with a financial advisor. Approved applicants will be awarded up to $10,000 of which $2,000 will be used to set up a retirement account with the CBF Church Benefits Board or add to an existing retirement account with the Church Benefits Board.
All eligible appliants will meet with a financial advisor to confidentially discuss their individual circumstances. The advisor will specifically address the prominent issues revealed during the consultation. Recommendations by the financial advisor as to the potential impact of receiving a grant award will be shared with the CBF Grant Committee.
Upon completion of both the online application and the financial advisor consultation, applications will be evaluated according to various criteria such as:
•   Engagement of applicant with CBF
•   Affirmation of the Grant Covenant
•   Recommendation of financial advisor
•    Financial need related to CBF primary focus areas: debt ratio, health benefits, and retirement planning
The final decision of a grant award will be based upon the recommendations of the CBF Grant Committee, the financial advisor, and Ministries Council representatives.

When filling out the application, please be mindful that:
•   All fields are required
•    All information should be based on total family financials
•    All information is kept strictly confidential

Our goal is to provide education throughout the application and award process for pastoral leaders and congregations. We are committed to protecting the privacy and dignity of each applicant and to seek to honor Christ in every aspect of this process.

Ministerial Excellence Initiative Grant Committee

Family Information
Spouse's Name (if applicable)
PrefixFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameSuffix
Spouse's Vocation
Is your spouse aware of this application?
YesNo

Dependent Information
Enter the number of your dependents.
Dependent 1 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 1 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 2 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 2 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 3 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 3 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 4 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 4 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 5 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 5 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 6 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 6 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 7 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 7 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Dependent 8 Full Name
First NameLast Name
Dependent 8 Date of Birth
MonthDayYear
Do any of your dependents have disabilities?
YesNo
How many of your dependents are in college at this time?

Collapse Stopper
You may return to complete this application later.
Bookmark this page or save your unique link from your browser address bar to return to complete your application when you are able. This unique URL has also been emailed to the email address you provided. Click "save and continue" below and then close your browser to exit.
For more information regarding any of the grant components, visit www.cbf.net/mef.

Current Church Information
Church Name*
Church Address*
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
CityState
Zip Code
Church Phone Number
Please indicate any faith groups with which your church is affiliated.*
Alliance of BaptistsAmerican Baptist Churches, USACooperative Baptist FellowshipSouthern Baptist ConventionNo affiliationsOther
Average weekly Church Attendance*
Average weekly offering amount*
Please use commas and no space after the dollar sign. Example: $10,000
Annual church budget total*
Please use commas and no space after the dollar sign. Example: $10,000
You may return to complete this application later.
Bookmark this page or save your unique link from your browser address bar to return to complete your application when you are able. This unique URL has also been emailed to the email address you provided. Click "save and continue" below and then close your browser to exit.
For more information regarding any of the grant components, visit www.cbf.net/mef.

Applicant Employment Information
Current ministry job title*
Current employment status for ministry job*
Number of years in your current ministry job*
Number of years at your current church/employer*
Total number of years you have served in ministry*
Do you have additional employment outside of the church?*
YesNo
Current employment status for additional employment*
You may return to complete this application later.
Bookmark this page or save your unique link from your browser address bar to return to complete your application when you are able. This unique URL has also been emailed to the email address you provided. Click "save and continue" below and then close your browser to exit.
For more information regarding any of the grant components, visit www.cbf.net/mef.

Essay Responses
Please utilize this essay section as an opportunity to voice your individual needs and circumstances. Each essay is required and is limited to no more than 300 words.
While your information will be saved in the application, unexpected internet and web-browser interuptions will cause issues with saving your information. It is highly recommended that you work on the essay section in an offline word processing program and then copy and paste your responses in the space provided below.
Describe your specific financial needs to be addressed through a grant from the Ministerial Excellence Initiative. (300 word limit)*
0/300
Describe your understanding of your call and commitment to long-term congregational ministry. (300 word limit)*
0/300
How do you anticipate this grant to carry your ministry into the future? (300 word limit)*
0/300
How will a Ministerial Excellence Initiative grant benefit your current ministry? (300 word limit)*
0/300
What do you foresee as challenges to complete the grant activity requirements? For grant activity requirements, refer to the "Covenant" tab. (300 word limit)*
0/300
If you do not receve a grant award, what steps could you take independently to change your current financial pressures? (300 word limit)*
0/300
You may return to complete this application later.
Bookmark this page or save your unique link from your browser address bar to return to complete your application when you are able. This unique URL has also been emailed to the email address you provided. Click "save and continue" below and then close your browser to exit.
For more information regarding any of the grant components, visit www.cbf.net/mef.

CBF Permissions Requests
May we share your story encouraging others to participate in the Ministerial Excellence Initiative?*
YesYes, if anonymouslyNo, not at this time
You may return to complete this application later.
Bookmark this page or save your unique link from your browser address bar to return to complete your application when you are able. This unique URL has also been emailed to the email address you provided. Click "save and continue" below and then close your browser to exit.
For more information regarding any of the grant components, visit www.cbf.net/mei.

With the entry of my full name below, I certify that the information I provided in this application is true, accurate and complete. I understand that any false statements or deliberate omissions on this application may disqualify my application.
Based on your responses, you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a grant. Please click "Submit" for more information.
Full Name*
First NameLast Name
Click Submit to receive further instructions. You will not be able to make any changes or return to your saved work after clicking Submit.
Should be Empty:

CBF Ministerial Excellence Fund Grant Application

Personal Information

Applicant Affiliation and Participation in CBF

Grant Covenant Activity Affirmation

Family Information

Current Church Information

Applicant Employment Information

Financial Information

Essay Responses

CBF Permissions Requests