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The Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Evangelization is now accepting applications for a new rent support initiative.
The “Growing Spaces” grant exists to assist missions that have outgrown their current worship facilities by providing financial support as the mission relocates to a larger facility. The grant is intended to support these missions as their expenses increase, allowing the mission time to grow into and assume the full financial obligation of a larger facility.
Funding from this new initiative is designated exclusively for rent or mortgage expenses. The Growing Spaces Grant is designed to unfold over three years in descending amounts each year. Applications for both immediate awards for communities that have identified / occupied a new facility as well as provisional awards for communities in the process of identifying a new facility will be accepted.
Detailed information and application forms are available online. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Evangelization by September 15, 2026.
All applications must receive approval from the mission’s respective diocesan bishop before submission. Following review by the Department of Evangelization, recommended applicants will be presented to the Metropolitan Council and the Holy Synod of Bishops for final approval. Grants are to be used in the 2027 calendar year.
For additional information, please contact Archpriest Justin Patterson at jpatterson@oca.org.
The Growing Spaces Grant Program is made possible in part due to the generous support of the Stewards of the Orthodox Church in America. Their contributions fund the creation of programs and resources that help parishes, missions, and faithful thrive in ministry.
