Start Well Grant

Financial Relief for Pastors

Apply Now

Start Well Grant

Financial Relief for Pastors

Apply Now

As a pastor, you dedicate your life to helping others.
But what happens when you need help — especially with finances?

GuideStone® understands that financial stress can get in the way of effective ministry. The Start Well Grant helps lift that burden of Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) pastors so you, your family and your congregation can thrive.

What is the Start Well Grant?

This matching grant program helps ease the burden of education and medical debt for active SBC pastors. Qualified applicants will complete the Start Well education program and fulfill grant requirements to receive matching funds paid directly toward approved debt.

The Start Well Grant strives to:

  • Relieve the burden of pastors’ education and medical debt
  • Provide a matching grant with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of up to $2,500
  • Help pastors get on track with retirement savings by reducing or alleviating debt
  • Promote healthier dialogue within the church about money, clergy compensation and generosity 

Who can apply?

Qualified applicants must:
  • Be an active SBC pastor
  • Be a GuideStone member
  • Be age 40 or younger
  • Meet grant criteria
  • Provide matching funds to receive a grant of the same amount

How does the grant process work?

1. APPLY

It’s OK to seek help, and we encourage you to apply for the Start Well Grant. Our goal is to help you increase your attention on God’s calling in your life by reducing financial stress.

In this step, you will be asked for personal information about yourself and your finances — including proof of student loan debt or medical debt. Because your privacy is our priority, this information will only be shared in confidence with the few committee members who review applications.

2. QUALIFY

The review committee will determine if your application meets the qualifications for the Start Well Grant. You’ll receive an email to let you know if your application is approved or declined.

3. RESPOND

Our goal is not only to reduce financial stress but also to provide education rooted in biblical financial stewardship. If approved for the matching grant, you’ll complete an online course about budgeting, debt, retirement savings, compensation, housing allowance and other financial topics. A sustainable pace of adult learning is estimated at two to three weeks for completion, and you will have 10 weeks from the time of application to complete the course. You’ll submit a certificate of completion as part of the grant requirements.

4. FUND

This is a matching grant, meaning you must first provide the amount you request. For example, if you provide $2,500, the grant will match $2,500 — for a total of $5,000 paid directly to the financial institution holding the debt.

Your matching funds must be submitted within two weeks of our notification to submit the funds after grant approval and online course completion, so we recommend obtaining or raising the funds before applying for the grant. If you don’t personally have funds available, you may consider requesting assistance from family, friends or your church. You may also consider asking if your SBC State Convention could potentially provide assistance.

You’ll also need to provide personal banking information and payment information for the financial institution holding your student loan or debt. Because your privacy is our priority, this information will only be shared in confidence with the few committee members who review applications.

Once all requirements are met, GuideStone will send the combined matching and grant funds directly to the debt holder on your behalf.

 

Apply Now

FAQs

How will I know you received my application?
Applicants will receive confirmation via email that their application has been received. 
How are funds collected and disbursed?
Matching funds provided by the pastor must be submitted to GuideStone via an electronic draft. These funds will be deposited into an account specifically to match Start Well Grants.
Once all grant requirements have been met, the pastor’s matching funds and grant funds will be sent directly to the financial institution holding the education or medical debt.
How do I submit my course certificate of completion?
Upon completion, the online education course will generate a certificate of completion. Email the certificate to StartWellGrant@GuideStone.org.
How can I raise funds if necessary?

We understand that raising funds can feel challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you don’t personally have funds available, you may consider requesting assistance from family, friends or your church. You may also consider asking if your SBC State Convention could potentially provide assistance.

As a pastor, you spend your days blessing others, so it can feel unfamiliar to be the one asking for help. It’s OK to allow others to bless you — and it will be a blessing to them in return.

Ready to seek financial relief?

Apply Now
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