Channing Fund

Named after one of American Unitarianism's most beloved ministers, William Ellery Channing, the Channing Fund is dedicated to the founding and growth of Fellowships and Congregations that are members of the AUC.  It is funded by individuals who wish to see the AUC grow and achieve its mission of bringing liberal religion to the nation.

There are two ways to participate in the Channing Fund.   The first way is by pledging to support the Fund as an individual by committing to donating a set amount of money to be paid upon request for approved, specific projects, up to four times a year.  The second is for a member Fellowship or Congregation to make a request for a Channing Fund grant.

As a Member of the Channing Fund: For example, if a member pledges $25 per quarter, they may be requested to donate $25 up to four times a year for specific grant projects. When grants are approved, once per quarter the AUC will send its Channing Fund pledging members a letter requesting that they mail in their pledge amount. We will not make these requests to any member more than four times a year. This money will then be disbursed to the Fellowships and Congregations that have been awarded Channing Fund Grants in the amounts requested. There is no limit as to how much you may pledge to the Channing Fund, $25 is given as an example.   We respectfully request a lower limit of $10 per quarter to minimize paperwork overhead.

As a Fellowship or Congregation Requesting a Channing Fund grant: For example, if a starting Fellowship wishes to apply for a grant for $1,000 for advertising and purchase of Religious Education material, they may apply for a grant up to two times per calendar year.  The criteria and approval process is given below.  Once granted, the AUC will collect the necessary funds from the pledging members and disburse the funds to the fellowship.   There is no limit as to the number of grants that can be approved, other than the limit of the pledged amount at the time of the grant. Minimum and maximum amounts of the grants are given in the directions for how to apply.

How to pledge to the Channing Fund - Click on the link to go to the pledge member page.

How to apply for a grant from the Channing Fund - Click on the link to go to the grant page.