Drew University Theological School, Madison, NJ

The Foundations' principal commitment in the field of religion is to graduate theological education. We believe that theological education makes an important contribution to our nation's moral integrity and future.

Grants are made to U.S. institutions that are fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. All denominations are eligible. As in our private higher education program, evaluations of competing requests are concerned with both the overall quality of the applying institutions and the educational impact of a proposed grant. The Trustees' goal is to make good institutions even better.

Support goes generally to seminaries or divinity schools known for academic excellence and whose primary mission is to prepare students for ordination to pastoral or pulpit ministry. These institutions should have a solid record of financial stability, including strong trustee and alumni/ae support, and a faculty of high quality. They should also be preparing students to lead deliberations on the complex social and moral issues facing the church such as interfaith dialogue and understanding, poverty, sexual orientation, gender, and end of life. 

Funding requests must come from the CEO of the theological school who needs to be in office for at least one year prior to submitting a grant request. The request should include a brief description of how the school prepares leaders for churches. It should also include the grant purpose, why it is a high priority and its expected impact on the educational mission and include a completed copy of our Institutional Information form. There are no restrictions on the type of grant as long as it contributes to the overall academic excellence of the theological school. The Foundations' Trustees assume that the CEO will seek to maximize the potential impact and lasting value of our grants. Grants range from $100,000 to an upper limit of $200,000. For institutions receiving a previous grant, four years need to elapse from the notification of an award before applying for another grant.

The Religion program includes a small pilot program for projects that foster and encourage interfaith dialogue and understanding.  The goal is to support projects that deepen knowledge of the beliefs and practices of major world religions as well as promote respect and appreciation for the growing number of faith traditions represented in today's American society.  Grant proposals in this area are currently accepted by invitation only.

For Frequently Asked Questions in Religion, please click here.

For Recent Grants in Religion, please click here.