Sharing Our Faith Grants

Donate to the Sharing Our Faith Fund

The Sharing Our Faith Fund is a program of the Canadian Unitarian Council that supports projects enhancing ministry, growth, and outreach within Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities across Canada. The fund is designed to strengthen associational life by encouraging relationship-building, shared learning, and a sense of connection among congregations and within the wider Canadian UU movement.

Sharing Our Faith grants help congregations undertake projects they may not otherwise be able to afford. Funded initiatives often support congregational vitality, innovation, and collaboration in ways that benefit both local communities and the wider Canadian UU landscape.

Each year, the fund is renewed through generous contributions collected at dedicated Sharing Our Faith worship services held in congregations across Canada, along with support from a Foundation Fund administered by the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto. Funds received by March 31 are distributed as grants to congregations, with recipients announced at the CUC Annual General Meeting in May.

Since its inception in 2001, and through the generosity of Canadian Unitarian Universalists, the Sharing Our Faith program has awarded more than $200,000 in grants.

Eligibility and Focus

Sharing Our Faith grants are available to CUC member congregations and communities. Projects should align with the fund’s purpose of strengthening ministry, outreach, growth, and connection within and among congregations.

Examples of projects supported through Sharing Our Faith grants include, but are not limited to:

  • Website development and digital communications upgrades
  • Outreach, publicity, and community engagement initiatives
  • Technology improvements to support worship and programming
  • Facility improvements that enhance accessibility or congregational life
  • New or revitalized ministry initiatives supporting growth and connection

Priority is generally given to projects that demonstrate clear benefit to congregational vitality and the broader Unitarian Universalist movement in Canada.

Application Process

Congregations may apply for a Sharing Our Faith grant once per funding cycle. Applications are reviewed by a CUC committee and assessed based on alignment with the fund’s purpose, demonstrated need, and the potential impact of the proposed project.

Applications must be received by March 31 each year.

Grant amounts vary depending on available funds and the scope of proposed projects. In recent years, grants have typically been awarded for amounts under $5,000.

What to Know Before Applying

  • Applications are due March 31 annually
  • Grant recipients are announced at the CUC Annual General Meeting in May
  • Funds are awarded for the specific project described in the application
  • Congregations receiving grants are required to submit a brief project report by March 31 of the year following the grant award
  • Unused or unspent funds must be returned to the CUC so they may benefit other congregations

For questions or additional information, please contact: subsidies@cuc.ca

Apply for a Sharing Our Faith Grant

Learn more about Sharing Our Faith.