Download and print Renfro Trust Fund Application (PDF).
Download and print Renfro Trust Guidelines (PDF).

Guidelines for the Renfro Trust Fund 

The United Methodist Church, Southeastern Jurisdiction

GUIDELINES FOR THE RENFRO TRUST FUND

1. Under the provisions of the Renfro Trust, the income from the Fund is to be used for the purpose of establishing and supporting United Methodist churches in rural areas of the United States within the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.  The term “rural areas” shall be interpreted to mean towns of 10,000 or less, villages, and open country.

2. Situations described as unusual and challenging and for which insufficient funds are available from other local sources shall be considered as eligible for grants from the Renfro Trust Fund.

3. Grants will be considered for projects involving new or existing church buildings only, not for parsonages.  Repairs required to maintain the structural integrity or soundness of the church building may be included as part of a request.  Major equipment directly related to the overall project may be included in a request.  Grants will not be awarded for general maintenance on a church building or equipment.

4. The maximum amount for each grant shall be $5,000.00.  Funds are made available as grants and not as loans.

5. Applications are available through the Secretary of Global Ministry/Missions within each annual conference or from the offices of the Southeastern Jurisdiction (address below).

6. Completed applications are due by September 1 of the year for which the application is to be considered.  New applications must be submitted each year. 

7. All signatures and requested information are required in order for an application to be considered complete.  Note that four signatures are required with the Director of Connectional Ministries only required if the Conference does not have a Secretary of Global Ministries/Missions.

8. All applicants will be considered upon the basis of need.  Recommendations for grant awards will be considered by a committee consisting of the Lake Junaluska Executive Director, Development Director, one of the LJ directors of ethnic ministries and at least 3 conference representatives with responsibility for global/ethnic ministries/missions.

9. Applications will be processed and grants approved by the Board of the Lake Junaluska Assembly in session each fall.  All applicants, their District Superintendent, DCMs and CSGM will be notified after the awards have been approved.

10. Award checks will be sent to the Conference Secretary of Global Ministries/Missions or related position in care of the Conference Director of Connectional Ministries to be forwarded to the local church at their discretion. 

Questions about the application form, award process or the Renfro Fund may be directed to:

Aly Groesser, Administrative Assistant                       
Office of Development and the Foundation                                                 
DevelopmentOffice@lakejunaluska.com   
828-454-6680

Raúl B. Alegría
Interim Director Lake Junaluska-SEJ Foundation
ralegria@lakejunaluska.com 
828-454-6712       

Completed application forms including all signatures must be received no later than September 1 by:

Renfro Trust Fund
c/o Lake Junaluska Office of Development and the Foundation
P O Box 67                                        
Lake Junaluska, NC  28745

Renfro Trust Fund
c/o Lake Junaluska Office of Development and the Foundation
759 North Lakeshore Drive  (UPS delivery only)
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745