Missio Nexus Innovation Fund: Elevating Missions Excellence
We are delighted to announce the opening of the Missio Nexus Innovation Fund, a pioneering initiative created to propel member ministries into uncharted realms of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. This fund is committed to nurturing innovation, providing your ministry with the means to effect enduring change. Following the disbursement of $450,000 in collaboration with a key donor in 2023, we are poised to increase our impact, channeling $650,000 into distinctive grants in 2024.
For the upcoming year, notable adjustments have been made to the grant application process. It is imperative to grasp these distinctions and possess a comprehensive understanding of innovation methodology and practice relevant to the specific grant you wish to pursue.
All prospective grant applicants are strongly encouraged to view the webinar explaining the process from January 18th before submitting your application. Webinar Information
If the intricacies of innovation processes and design thinking are unfamiliar to you, ensure that your project manager takes advantage of the complimentary training offered by the SEEDS Innovation virtual training course before embarking on the application process. Additional information is also available: Innovation Explained
Grant Categories:
(All applicants must be Missio Nexus members and may only apply to one grant opportunity)
Micro Innovation Grant:
- Funding Range: $25,000 – $50,000
- Tailored for smaller, impactful projects with a keen emphasis on innovation.
- Prioritize meticulously planned initiatives demonstrating empathy for ministry impact.
- Awarded to approximately 5-7 Missio Nexus member ministries.
Macro Innovation Grant:
- Funding Range: $75,000 – $100,000
- Geared towards ministries with a well-established innovation process, showcasing iterative attempts at deploying practical solutions.
- Emphasis on illustrating and articulating the innovation process and quantifying end-user impact.
- Holds the potential to influence the broader missions landscape.
- Exclusive grants awarded to 1-2 Missio Nexus member ministries.
Collaborative Innovation Grant:
- Funding Range: $150,000 – $200,000
- Encourages joint applications from 2+ mission ministries, showcasing unity and collaboration.
- Requires a proven working model of collaboration rather than a conceptual alliance.
- Focus on demonstrating a collective approach to an innovative idea.
- A prestigious grant awarded to outstanding alliances displaying both unity and innovation.
Process:
Each grant request will be considered by a review team consisting of mission leaders from the Missio Nexus association and Missio Nexus staff. Together we will prayerfully consider each application as it relates to scope, impact, and overall innovative approach to ministry. Grant finalists will be subject to final approval by the grant funding entity, unfortunately not all applications will receive awards.
Grant Scope:
- Primary Focus:
- Innovation in Evangelism, Discipleship and Church Planting
- Project Types:
- Leadership Development
- Word/Deed Holistic Ministry
- National/Indigenous Projects
- Mobilization
- Global Sending
- Bible Translation
- Media
- Technology
- National Church Resources
- Member Care
- Diaspora
- Training
Innovation Training in 2024
In 2024, we have also secured funding for ministries showing significant potential but not chosen to receive grants to be provided with innovation training. Approximately 12 ministries will be selected to attend a training event in Orlando in October 2024. This event will provide the framework and knowledge necessary to develop projects that have undergone an innovation process, preparing them to re-apply for a grant in 2025.