Ministry Outside the Parish (M.O.P.)

What is St. Paul’s M.O.P.?

Ministry Outside the Parish (MOP) provides small grants to organizations that work for the public good outside the parish.

It evolved from discussions after the devastating fire that nearly burned down St. Paul’s in January of 1976.  As we rebuilt in 1978, we chose to do so without restoring our elaborate stained glass windows.  Instead, we would allocate the money saved to other organizations for the support of “Christian purposes outside of St. Paul’s."  After that money was exhausted, we chose to continue the program by setting aside about 10% of the prior year’s pledges.   

WHO Is Eligible to RECEIVE M.O.P. FUNDS?

Organizations that support Christian purposes outside our church.  Recent grants have funded projects for after-school programs, public health work, disaster relief, and social justice to organizations in Boston and around the world like these (provide link to page with information as shown below)

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A M.O.P. GRANT?

Fill out an application as shown here.

Criteria we consider in evaluating applications:

  • Purpose of the organization is consistent with our broad objectives

  • Purpose that the funds will support is clearly stated

  • Award will be impactful for the recipient organization

  • Award engages St. Paul’s members through direct involvement or through occasional reports or presentations

  • Application includes a cover letter from a St. Paul’s member and financial information including its budget for the past year.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR AN MOP GRANT, AND WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING?

Round One: Application Due, May 10; Award notification, June 15.                               

Round Two: Application Due, September 13; Award notification, October 31. 

CAN I GET ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING FOR A M.O.P. GRANT?

Yes!  Any M.O.P. Committee member would be happy to answer further questions and assist you in completing the application process. Contact any of the following members:

Chairs: Kate Kelley and Clara Batchelor Secretary: Tim Hintz

Members: Jay Ballard, Elisabeth Choi, Martha Curtis, Ouida Foster, Kate Kelley, Cricket Lewis, Steve Morrissey, Leahanne Sarlo, Georgia Smith, Sinjin Smith, The Ven. Pat Zifca,  (Kate Heaton, vestry liaison, non voting member).

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT M.O.P.

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED WITH M.O.P.?

Become a member of the committee by attending two of our meetings.  Participate in discussions and let us know what’s important to you.  As a member, you will be asked to 

  • evaluate the applications prior to our evaluation meetings

  • review one or two of those applications in more detail as we meet. 

  • Assist in arranging related parish-wide activities as needed

  • Serve as MOP Committee Chair or assist  to organize upcoming meetings, administer proposals and grants, and post reports from grant recipients. 

WHO CAN VOTE ON APPLICATIONS?

M.O.P. Committee members vote on applications at the meeting where the application is presented. All M.O.P. members are expected to read the applications prior to the meeting. Any parishioner who has attended at least two of the past year’s forums is welcome to join the Committee. 

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF M.O.P. COMMITTEE MEMBERS?

  • Attending all meetings.

  • Participating in one of several subcommittees: communications, outreach, and speaker series

  • Vetting and then presenting up to 1-2 applications at the forum for each cycle

  • Following up with applicants after the forum if necessary

  • Assisting in arranging related parish-wide activities

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE M.O.P. COMMITTEE CHAIR(S)?

  • Accepting applications

  • Coordinating application vetting by members

  • Setting proposal forum and funding meeting dates

  • Moderating proposal forums and funding meetings

  • Notifying applicants of funding decisions

  • Processing checks (in coordination with vestry treasurer/parish finance sec’y)

  • Submitting annual report of the committee

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE M.O.P. COMMITTEE SECRETARY?

  • Recording minutes of M.O.P. meetings

  • Accepting post-funding reports

  • Keeping account of M.O.P. funds (in coordination with the chairs)

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OUTREACH, AND SPEAKERS SERIES SUBCOMMITTEES?

  • Notifying the parish of awards in each cycle and engaging the parish in the work of M.O.P.

  • Notifying the parish of upcoming forums and M.O.P. presentations

  • Arranging related parish-wide enrichment activities

  • Outreach to worthy organizations to encourage grant requests

CAN PARISHIONERS APPLY FOR A M.O.P. GRANT?

Yes!  Parishioners involved in organizations that fall under the funding guidelines are encouraged to seek funding for those organizations and their projects.  Applications by parishioners are vetted and presented by a M.O.P. Committee member in the same manner as other proposals.  Parishioners applying may attend and answer questions during the proposal forum, but must leave during the vote making period. This also applies when M.O.P. Committee members make a grant application and are  asked to recuse themselves during the decision part of the meeting.

WHAT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY M.O.P. IN THE PAST?

M.O.P. has funded numerous organizations over its 30 year history.  The following are just a sample: