Intervention Fund

The Intervention Fund supports stewards of historic sacred places with building repair and recovery after an unanticipated emergency.

Unitarian Church of Montpelier by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

About

The Intervention Fund, an emergency grant program under the umbrella of the National Fund for Sacred Places, allows congregations to respond quickly and safely return to serving their communities.

Am I Eligible?

Qualified congregations must:

Have experienced an unanticipated emergency

Meet the program’s core criteria

Identify an eligible scope of work

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Trinity UMC by Trinity UMC

Eligible Emergencies

Projects will result from an unanticipated emergency situation, including:

  • Extreme weather: floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and fires, etc.
  • Property destruction: vandalism, theft, building fires, and vehicles crashing into building, etc.
  • Sudden identification of urgent safety hazards: those posing an immediate health and safety threat to building users or the public.

 

Other emergencies are considered on a case-by-case basis.

What We Fund

The Intervention Fund offers up to $100,000 per congregation. No cash match is required. Congregations are only eligible to receive one Intervention Fund grant. 

Funding is available for:

  • Capital projects: Physical repairs to the building that address direct damage or help facilitate full recovery.
  • Planning projects: Architect fees, engineering studies, damage assessments, or other work to understand and prioritize repairs.
  • Short-term response: Temporary measures intended to respond to the eligible emergency, such as scaffolding, safety netting, and tarps.

First UMC Elgin by Rev Felicia LaBoy

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Kitchen by Father Eric David Zeeger

Core Criteria

The following criteria are used to evaluate Intervention Fund grant requests.

  • Historical, Cultural, or Architectural Significance
  • Community-Serving Congregations
  • Project Scope and Need
  • Fundraising Readiness
  • Healthy Congregations
  • Strong Applications

More information on how each of these criteria is evaluated is available in the Intervention Fund FAQs.

How to Apply

Applications are by invitation only. Staff will consult with congregations to identify if they meet the eligibility requirements prior to inviting an application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The application is completed via the online grants system Foundant. Once invited, applicants have up to 30 days to submit. Once the application is submitted, program staff take up to 30 days to review the application.

Think your congregation might be eligible? Please contact the Intervention Fund Director, Rachel Galton, at rgalton@sacredplaces.org.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by WSA/Modern Ruins Architecture

Our Participants

Learn more about past Intervention Fund grantees.
PARTICIPANT PROFILES

Second Baptist Church of Los Angeles by Vivian Chan