The Faithful Futures Fund
The Faithful Futures Fund was established by The Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) in honour of Ron Ewart’s retirement as Executive Director, at TUCC, and in recognition of his more than twenty-eight years of faithful leadership, innovation, and commitment to theological education and community engagement within the United Church of Canada. This educational fund supports opportunities for thoughtful, practical and theologically grounded exploration of how Christian communities can live out their faith with hope, authenticity, and relevance in today’s world.
Unlike many TUCC grants, the Faithful Futures Fund does not accept external grant applications. Instead, the fund provides an annual allocation to TUCC’s Church Development & Leadership department to host educational events and initiatives in keeping with the Fund’s terms of reference. Programming may include guest speakers, workshops, symposiums, panel discussions, or collaborative learning events that encourages both theological reflection and practical application. Donors to this fund help create spaces for meaningful dialogue, learning, and faithful imagination for the future of the church and wider community.
The Vincent Alfano Fund
TUCC had the good fortune to enjoy the leadership of Rev. Vincent Alfano for nearly 20 years. Vince exercised his creativity and commitment to positive action, enabling churches in the TUCC service area to act out its faith-based compassion and care for-and-in the world.
In 2014, following Vince’s death and in tribute to his faith, visionary thinking, and outstanding leadership, all touchstones of his ministry, TUCC’s Board established The Vincent Alfano Fund.
The Fund provides opportunities for emerging church leaders to gain practical experience in helping communities of faith reach out to the diverse contexts they serve and, in turn, learn fresh ways to respond to them with God’s love. Applicants can be ministries or communities of faith, and the grant can be used to support a wide range of formal and informal mission-focused training opportunities that meet the Fund’s criteria.
A $10,000 grant is available, with an additional $1,500 for focused skill training for the leader or group being trained. The grant recipient will be announced in September, ensuring timely support for an impactful project.
Review the criteria for qualifying projects and application requirements and complete the application form.
View the Fund’s Terms of Reference.
Applications for 2026 are now closed. Applications for 2027 will be open between January 4th and February 28th, 2027.
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2025: Centennial Albert United Church for an internship for pastoral outreach project.
- 2024: Ecumenical Campus Ministry, University of Guelph for the development of the Gospel Potluck podcast by Andrew Hyde and ECORC and QC Regional Councils for the creation of Bible Woolies by Tori Mullin.
- 2023: Birchcliff Bluffs United Church for the development of Rainbow Community Places with Julian Munro as the leader. Read the interim grant report and the final grant report.
- 2021/2022: Alana Martin and the Go Curriculum Project.
- 2019/2020: Jubilee United Church for the Resistance Church project with Bri-anne Swan as the leader.
For more information contact Daniel Reed, Director, Missional Lending & Investment (daniel@tucc.ca) at 905-77-5124 / 1-800-235-8822.
The Douglas Varey Fund
The Douglas Varey Fund for Innovative Ministry honours the legacy of Rev. Doug Varey, a cherished member of the TUCC staff team during the 1970s and 1980s. Doug left a gift through his estate and entrusted its stewardship to TUCC. This fund is dedicated to fostering creative, inclusive, and mission-driven initiatives within our Church community. Doug’s passion for strategic missional work and innovation inspired this gift, reflecting his deep admiration for the innovative projects undertaken by TUCC.
A $5,000 grant is available to ministries and communities of faith through an application process which is open from October 1st to November 14th. Successful applications embody Doug’s values of creativity, inclusivity, and commitment to advancing the Church’s mission. The grant recipient will be announced in February/March, ensuring timely support for impactful projects that enrich our community and advance our shared goals.
Review the criteria for qualifying projects and application requirements and complete the application form.
Applications for 2025 are closed. Applications for 2026 will be open between October 1st and November 14th, 2026.
The Dragonfly Collective, Sprucedale United
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2025: Roseneath United Church in support of the women’s retreat “Radical Flourishing, Radical Joy.”
- 2024: Sprucedale United Church for the Dragonfly Collective community hub and cafe.
- 2023: The Black Clergy Network for the Black Clergy Network Gathering. Read the grant report.
For more information contact Daniel Reed, Director, Missional Lending & Investment (daniel@tucc.ca) at 905-77-5124 / 1-800-235-8822.
Peterborough Presbytery Extension Council Fund
In 2019 with the restructuring of the United Church of Canada, following over six decades of dedicated stewardship of resources under its management and care, the torch of responsibility has been passed from the Peterborough Presbytery Extension Council (PEC) of the former Peterborough Presbytery to TUCC. These resources, now entrusted to TUCC, stand as a beacon of hope and possibility for ministries and communities of faith across the regions TUCC serves.
Grants up to $10,000 are available to healthy innovative ministries for transformational mission, as well as to enhance and advance ministry needs. The grant recipient will be announced in February/March, ensuring timely support for an impactful project.
Initiatives can include:
- Innovative Mission or Ministry
- Indigenous Outreach
- Community Outreach
- Sustainability Improvements
- Technology Improvements
Review the criteria for qualifying projects and application requirements and complete the application form.
Applications for 2025 are closed. Applications for 2026 will be open between October 1st and November 14th, 2026.
Previous Grant Recipients
- 2025: Cave Springs United Church Camp to purchase a meeting Owl for hybrid gatherings and St. Paul’s United Church (Orillia) to support consulting services that will assist the St. Paul’s Centre as it develops into an independent organization alongside the church.
- 2024: St. James Centennial United to upgrade Zoom equipment for members unable to attend in person.
For more information contact Daniel Reed, Director, Missional Lending & Investment (daniel@tucc.ca) at 905-77-5124 / 1-800-235-8822.
Grey Presbytery Fund - Open Only to Communities of Faith in the Former Grey Presbytery
The Grey Presbytery Fund, established in 2002 through a generous gift from Central Westside United Church, supports church development initiatives in the area formerly served by Grey Presbytery. Administered by the Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) in consultation with the Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council, the Fund provides a total of $5,000 annually to congregations and communities of faith within the geographical boundaries of the former Grey Presbytery. These grant(s), which may be for one project or more, aim to strengthen ministry, foster growth, and support innovative projects within the local church community.
Review the criteria for qualifying projects and application requirements and complete the application form.
Beginning in 2026, the application process is open from October 1 to November 14. Grant recipients are announced in February/March, ensuring timely support for impactful projects that enrich the ministry and community.
For more information contact Daniel Reed, Director, Missional Lending & Investment (daniel@tucc.ca) at 905-771-5124/1-800-235-8822 x23