What is the Fund?
The Van Dusen Fund exists for existing programs and new initiatives of United Church congregations and related entities. These programs and initiatives will further the goals of the British Columbia Conference in the areas of healthy congregations, supporting effective ministries and encouraging faithful public witness.

Fund Information
Approximately $35,000 is available in total for the Van Dusen Fund. The Grants Committee will award a maximum of $3,000 per application per year, and preference will be given to programs that include and involve many individuals or congregations. Programs must take place within BC Conference.

Application Deadline
The 5th of each month (with the exception of July, August and December).

To Receive Your Money
The Grants Committee, upon approval of your application, will release 75% of the amount. Upon the completion of your event, you will be required to submit a report to the Grants committee including details of the financials of the event. When it is shown that your program and/or initiative used the full amount of the grant, the remaining 25% will be released. In the event that your program and/or initiative did not require the full amount, the Grants Committee will be pleased to redistribute the amount.

Who Can Apply?
United Church Congregations or other United Church entities are entitled to apply.

Application Form

Sample Evaluations from Van Dusen Applications

Public Forum – End Homelessness Now
Sponsored by Saint Andrews Wesley, Vancouver
The goals of the public forum to educate about homelessness and mental health and to create political pressure for the three levels of government to work together and address the crisis of people with no homes were met and exceeded expectations. Approximately 700 people attended the event and over 690 letters were collected. Many more letters were taken home and submitted individually.

There was a representative attending from media, political life, neighbours, service providers and the homeless. All were able to participate in the dialogue. Organizers were surprised to receive several comments from people who are or have been homeless about how important the evening was to them. It gave them a place to speak with dignity.
Follow-up is on-going on many fronts. A second public forum has just taken place.

Kamloop-Okanagan Presbytery Resource Fair
This was a one day event with outside and local resource people aimed at bringing together members of a geographically dispersed presbytery for learning, worship and fellowship. Including presenters and planners, over 100 attended. Topics included: Creating Sabbath, Toward a High Expectation Culture: One Congregation’s Story, Music-Drumming, Using Projection Equipment, Sermons: Writing Commercials for God, Sing a New Song: An Introduction to More Voices, Emerging Spirit: Building connections, nurturing relationship and welcoming people to UCC, Planning for the Future.