Unlock Your Board’s Potential
The In Trust Center’s Governance Initiative is dedicated to advancing board learning and development through board development grants. These grants offer a unique opportunity to support board development by providing a catalyst to move your governing or advisory board forward in its 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.
We recognize that institutions may find it challenging to budget or allocate resources for board development and growth. This grant opportunity supports board-focused grants of up to $10,000 USD to fund action-oriented board development projects. 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.
Visit the How to Apply Guide for tips on how to access and complete the application.
Eligibility
In Trust Center member schools, except those awarded a board development grant in the last year, can apply for a Board Development Grant. Schools currently enrolled in the Wise Stewards Initiative will be eligible in the grant cycle after their Cohort concludes. A current membership must be maintained during the application and through the 12-month grant period.
Application period and funding timeline:
The grant application will open on August 25, 2025, and close at 4 pm ET on September 30, 2025. Awarded schools will be notified and funded within 60 days of the application due date.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible and who can apply?
- Eligible applicants in 2025 are governing or advisory boards at In Trust Center member schools that did not receive a board development grant in 2024.
- Schools may not receive a grant in two consecutive years.
- Schools who 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 are the reporting requirements?
Grant recipients must complete both a mid-year progress report and a final report of their project. We do not routinely require a school to provide receipts of grant-eligible expenses; however, the In Trust Center may request verification for all or a portion of the grant’s eligible expenses. The In Trust Center reserves the right to use content submitted for reporting purposes.
What do the board development grants support?
The grants support action-oriented board work that results in meaningful change to board policies or procedures and/or the updating or creation of board documents. At the end of the grant period, boards should be able to report on how the product or procedure has or will help their board’s development now and into the future.
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?
- Reoccurring 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 try something new and innovative. These are not specific to boards.