New national initiative encourages collaborations between Christian congregations, non-profit organizations to improve local communities

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INDIANAPOLIS – Lilly Endowment is launching the Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative, through which the Endowment is making available grants of up to $5 million each to support efforts that help Christian congregations throughout the country collaborate with charitable organizations to identify and address needs and priorities that help improve quality of life in their neighborhoods, towns and cities.

The Serving Neighbors Congregational Collaborations Initiative (Serving Neighbors) has two complementary aims:

To enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by encouraging stronger collaborations in local communities between Christian congregations and charitable organizations. To help deepen the faith of individuals and enhance the vitality of congregations by providing opportunities for Christians to practice their faith through acts of love and care for their neighbors.

“There is a growing interest among Christian congregations throughout the country to reach beyond the walls of their sanctuaries and to expand their ministries to…