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

September 28, 2026 · 1 min read

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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…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Николай Козлов

A good idea, especially if the grants go to real things and not to reports. In Samara, a couple of years ago, the church and the Mercy Foundation worked together to renovate the apartment of a lonely grandmother after a fire - it turned out efficiently, without unnecessary bureaucracy. The main thing is that the money reaches those who really help, and does not disappear into “initiatives.”

Павел Соколов

A good initiative, especially if the money really goes to good use and not to conferences. In Munich, our small community a couple of years ago, together with Catholic Caritas, helped a refugee family with repairs and furniture — without unnecessary paperwork, just took care of it. The main thing is that this also reaches people in America and doesn't get stuck in reports.

Олег Васильев

Agreed, Pavel, the main thing is that it reaches the people and doesn't get stuck in reports. We had a similar story in Novosibirsk: our parish with the local "Mercy" foundation helped a large family with heating in their home without any paperwork, just gathered funds and acted. Do you often cross paths with Caritas in Munich or is this a one-off?