The grantmaking climate has been volatile since a 22% decline in foundation assets in late 2008 caused a steep drop in foundation giving. The decline lasted throughout 2009. But in 2010 foundations are recovering their lost assets. The S&P Index has improved by 68% this past year, the largest one-year upturn that since the Great Depression. As a result, 70% of foundations expect to give more this year than last year. Smaller foundations, those most likely to support Christian ministries and churches, are twice as likely to give more in 2010 than they did in 2009.

Now is the time to ensure your ministry or church is aware of the best foundations so as not to waste time and energy looking for funding from the wrong sources. Opportunities for funding abound. Here are a few reasons…

• the upswing in the market means more funds are available for your organization
• the number of foundations in the United States is soaring – about 2,000 new foundations are expected to spring up in 2010
• the sooner you develop relationships with them the better
• wealth is shifting from individuals to foundations

There are no less than 10,000 foundations with assets totaling around $400 billion that support Christian ministries and churches.

The following Christian-friendly foundations are good places to begin your search. They are ten of the best funders of Christian ministries and churches based on a number of factors. They give the majority of their funding to Christian ministries and churches, they specifically support evangelism, and they give on a national basis.

MJ Murdock Charitable Trust

The foundation was granted charitable status in December 1975 in Vancouver, Washington. The Trust’s purpose is to support and enrich the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest by providing grants to organizations that seek to strengthen the region’s educational, spiritual, and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways.

Grants are available for Building Funds, Matching Gifts, Equipment, Matching/challenge Funding, Program Funding, Research Funding, Seed Funding, and Project Funding. The Trust’s funding interests include Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Science, Medicine & Engineering, and Scientific Research. Between 2005 and 2009, 43 percent of the Trust’s funds went to health and human services, 30 percent to education, 19 percent to scientific research, and eight percent to arts and culture.

The Trust is especially interested in funding scientific and research efforts that further the pursuit of knowledge. Its educational funding interests are projects and programs in both formal and informal settings…program enhancement and expansion…and new approaches consistent with an organization’s mission and resources.

Its arts and culture funding priorities are educational outreach efforts and performance and visual Projects that enrich the culture of the region. The Trust funds health and human services efforts that address physical, spiritual, social, and psychological needs. It is especially interested in programs for youth.

Its average grant size is $95,000. Its largest grant is $8 million.

ARTHUR S DEMOSS FOUNDATION

The foundation was granted charitable status in March 1959 in Washington, DC. Its

primary purpose is to support Christian Evangelical purposes. Its funding interests include Christian Organizations & Churches, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Children, and Youth & Families. Grants are available for Matching/challenge Funding, Program Funding, and Seed Funding. » Read more: The BEST Foundations For Christian Ministries and Churches