George Wright Fund

THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF MASSACHUSETTS
 Relationship Ministries Team

Application Procedure for The George Wright Fund
I. ASSUMPTIONS
1.  As a beneficiary of the will of the late George R. Wright, The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts receives a share of income from a fund held in trust by a commercial banking institution. This income, named by The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, as the “George Wright Fund” provides grants to be used to support churches in the following ways: reduce the principal amounts of mortgages for church buildings, assist in the repayment for student loans for pastors and church staff, assist with stipend positions for growing ministries, support new churches meeting in other buildings, support for collaborative ministry partnerships between TABCOM churches, and fund building projects to improve accessibility and energy efficiency. Grants from the George Wright Fund are approved by the George Wright Fund Committee of the Relationship Ministries Team of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.
2.  Grants from the George Wright Fund are approved by the George Wright Fund Committee of the Relationship Ministries Team of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.
3.  Through the Relationship Ministries Team, the Massachusetts American Baptist family attempts to exercise responsible and careful stewardship of these limited resources. This responsibility is based primarily on the Biblical concept of responsibility for Christ’s Church. Laws governing fiduciary accountability provide a legal basis for this responsibility.
4.  Some churches related to The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts have occasion to need financial assistance in the form of grants and may be expected to seek such assistance from The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. A significant element of historic Baptist polity, “the associational principal,” more lately known as “partnership in ministry and mission,” requires mutual support.
5.  George Wright Funds are understood to be supplemental to the usual tithes and offerings and/or other income of a local church. These funds are meant to provide occasional assistance but not to become part of the continuing financial maintenance of recipient churches.
6.  The primary focus of the mission and ministry of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts is through local, affiliated congregations. The purpose of these policies is to facilitate mutual support and care for the member churches.
II. GUIDELINES
A.  Application & Substantiating Data
1. 

Churches requesting assistance from the George Wright Fund must make application in writing, using the application form provided by the George Wright Fund Committee. These forms may be obtained by calling the TABCOM office (978-448-1445) or are available for download as an Acrobat or MS Word file (see below).

Only churches giving a total of at least one percent (1%) of their current operating budget to United Mission Basics, the Massachusetts Ministries Fund or the America for Christ offering will be considered.

2.  The Relationship Ministries Team of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts wants to affirm churches which apply for and receive support. In order to do so, churches requesting assistance should give evidence of their viable ministry(ies).
3. 

Churches requesting assistance from the George Wright Fund must give evidence of financial need. Substantiating data required are:

  • previous year’s treasurer’s report (line item report of Income and Expenses)
  • current year budget
  • statement describing the church’s financial stewardship campaign
  • extenuating circumstances which mandate the request for assistance
  • statement of other (if any) funding being applied for or received from outside the church (i.e. M&M Strategic Premium Assistance, the Boston Baptist Social Union, New Church Development Funds, or any other external funding)
  • Complete mortgage information if applying for a mortgage
  • Other information may be requested by the Committee
4. 

Churches requesting assistance from The George Wright Fund must be in “good standing” with The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts and their Association. Criteria to determine “good standing” may include, but are not limited to:

  • Participation in TABCOM and Association meetings and events
  • Responsible level of financial support of American Baptist mission which is defined as at least five percent (5%) of the total budget for American Baptist missions (excluding loan repayments for capital expenses).
  • Churches giving less than a total of one percent (1%) of their current operating budget to United Mission Basics, Massachusetts Ministries Fund, or the America for Christ offering will not be considered.
  • Recommendation by the Area Minister and Moderator of the Association of which the Church is a member
  • Current in-payment of Association dues
  • Regularly inviting regional representatives to worship or to other church events
5.  No church may receive assistance from the George Wright Fund for more than five (5) successive years. Churches requesting assistance for more than five (5) of any nine (9) year period should show special extenuating circumstances requiring assistance. Any requests for exceptions will be subject to review by the George Wright Fund Committee.
B.  The George Wright Fund Committee may also consider initiating contact with churches that the committee thinks might meet the application criteria.
C.  The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts may retain an administrative fee not to exceed ten percent (10%) percent of the total monies awarded to offset administrative expenses.
III. APPLICATION

You may download the George Wright Fund in Acrobat format or in MS Word.

Contact at (978) 448-1445 if you would like the application sent to you by mail.