Board Development Grants

The Governance Initiative is dedicated to advancing board learning and development by offering board development grants. These grants offer a unique opportunity to support board development by providing a catalyst to advance your governing or advisory board’s strategic priorities. Designed to fund action-oriented work determined by, and unique to, your board, these grants support initiatives that explore growth opportunities, address challenges, or tackle critical issues.

Understanding that institutions may face challenges in budgeting or allocating resources for board development, this grant opportunity provides up to $10,000 USD to support action-oriented projects that strengthen board capacity and growth. These projects will result in tangible outcomes specific to governing and advisory boards of theological schools, such as creating or revising governance documents or board policies. Read more about applicant eligibility and eligible projects in the FAQs section below.

Visit the How to Apply Guide for tips on how to access and complete the application.

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APPLICATION QUESTIONS

GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE

Eligibility

In Trust Center member schools are eligible to apply for this opportunity, except those that received a board development grant within the past year. Schools currently enrolled in the Wise Stewards Initiative may apply in the grant cycle following the conclusion of their cohort. Membership must be maintained at the time of application and throughout the 12-month grant period.

Application period and funding timeline:

The grant application will open on August 25, 2025, and close at 4 p.m. ET on September 30, 2025. Awarded schools will be notified and funded within 60 days of the application due date.

Grant recipients

What We Fund

Action-oriented board work
Plans for board processes and protocols
Creation or revision of board documents, policies, and procedures
Advisory board development or creation
Board and school sustainability planning for transitions, financial models, partnerships, and engagement plans

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible and who can apply?

Eligible applicants include governing or advisory boards at In Trust Center member schools that did not receive a board development grant in 2024 and are not currently in a Board Development Grant funding cycle.
Schools are not eligible to receive grants in two consecutive years.
Schools that are participants in the Wise Stewards Initiative during the grant application window and grant cycle are not eligible to apply until after their Wise Stewards Initiative cohort year has ended.
Applications should be submitted by the presiding officer or board chair of a member school or someone representing their office.

How much can we request?

Up to $10,000 (USD)

What do the board development grants support?

These grants support action-oriented board work that results in meaningful changes to board policies, procedures, or the creation or revision of board documents. At the end of the grant period, boards should be able to demonstrate how the resulting product or process has or will help their board’s development.

Can you provide examples of eligible board development projects?

Board planning – succession plans, partnership plans, strategic plans
Document review or creation – bylaws, charters, position descriptions, policies
Shared governance – process, protocol, approach
Partnerships – cooperation agreements, readiness assessment
Mission / vision – positioning or repositioning
Development of advisory board
Assessment – board, individual board members
Board composition – board diversity, recruitment, culture
Clarifying roles and responsibilities
Engagement plans – congregational/external constituencies
Transition planning – executive leader resilience plans, leadership transitions
Financial sustainability
Board education that leads to action

Boards may choose to use the grant to bring in external expertise to guide the board’s development. If you would like assistance in finding a consultant to aid in your project or resources around wise practices when engaging consultants, contact resources@intrust.org.

What is not fundable?

Recurring expenses related to board meetings or retreats for board members including meals, meeting space, and travel. Travel expenses for consultants is permissible.
Expenses related to compensation of board members or school personnel including anyone already on the payroll of the institution.
Expenses related to technology or equipment for the facilitation of your regularly scheduled board meetings.

How do we apply, and what is required?

Applications can be submitted by visiting here. As part of the application process, we ask that you confirm board chair and executive leader support of the proposed project, and if applicable, provide a copy of your governing or advisory board’s bylaws.

How do we find resources to aid our board development grant?

If you have a board development opportunity in mind but are unsure where to start in exploring consultants or partners, the In Trust Center can help. Email resources@intrust.org.

Where can I find grant opportunities for projects not related to boards?

The In Trust Center also accepts applications for Resource Grants for theological schools to explore new and innovative ideas. These grants are not limited to board-related projects.