The Special Grants program was initiated by a vote of the congregation in 1996. A percentage of the unrestricted endowment income is allocated annually for a Special Grants program, to be administered by a grants committee reporting to the First Church Cabinet.

Some examples of grants given:

· $1,000 to S.A.F.E. Studio
for art therapy for females at risk

· $1,000 to First Church Confirmation Class
to fund an organization or cause of their choice

· $2,000 to Light for Zimbabwe to sponsor
7 orphans (at $300 each) for a year of schooling

· $19,860 will be available for disbursement in the coming year.

The Grants Committee,
Trudy Reid, Bob Swisher and Debby Twining