Second Unitarian Church
Reconciling People and Renewing the Earth
Fitts Fund Grant Application
2009 - 2010
Background
 
Many years ago a bequest was made by the Fitts family to sustain the social outreach vision of our congregation.  Today, we live out this vision as a church by committing to build relationships in our lives and in our community.  This commitment calls us to work toward the reconciliation of the human family, the creation of a more just society, and the renewal of our shared earth.  If your organization has a similar mission to reach people and bring the human family together, or to care for and renew our earth, we want to hear from you!  Together, we can be bridge builders and justice seekers in our community. 
 
The principles that guide Unitarian Universalists are: the inherent worth and dignity of each person; a commitment to justice, equity and compassion in human relationships; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience; the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of which we are a part. 
 
Our congregation's purpose statement asserts:
"Second Unitarian Church of Chicago is a vibrant community that inspires you to develop your own spiritual path and live out your values in the world." 
 
Towards this end, Second Unitarian Church shares half (50%) of its collection plate revenue with a recipient for a particular Sunday or series of Sundays.  An application to the Fitts fund is a request to be one of the collection plate split designees.
 
Funding Priorities
 
Second Unitarian Church selects an organization to receive collection plate revenue based on a set of criteria.  The church prioritizes organizations that:
  • live out Unitarian Universalist principles of purpose
  • do work that is consistent with the focus of Second Unitarian's social justice work
  • involve members of Second Unitarian church
  • impact the geographic community of Second Unitarian Church and its members  
Application Process
 
A grant application for the Fitts Fund must be sponsored by a Second Unitarian Church member in good standing. A designated committee reviews the grant proposal along with all others received, and determines if, when and how many Sunday collections to designate towards an organization. Applications need not follow a specific format, but should generally be 1-3 pages long and include the main sections as outlined on the attached Grant Application form.
 
The Executive Director or another organizational leader as well as the 2U member(s) sponsoring the application should both be prepared  to attend designated Sunday services to present short, two minute reflections on the background and mission of the organization prior to the offertory.
 
Organizations, programs, individuals and/or projects that receive funding must state clearly in their organizational materials that they do not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation or preference, as well as the protected federal classes. Applicants are requested to provide a copy of the agency's annual statement and operating budget, if available.
 
Grant applications should be submitted to:
Second Unitarian Church of Chicago
Attention: Fitts Fund Grant Application
656 W. Barry Street
Chicago, IL 60657
office_2U@att.net
(Email or US mail are both accepted)
 
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Second Unitarian Church Member Sponsoring the Application:


Agency:

 
Address:

 
Phone:

Email:

 
Purpose/Explanation of Project to be funded:
 
 
 
Target Community Served:
 
 
 
Connection between the Project and Second Unitarian's outreach commitments (Reconciling People and Renewing the Earth):
 
 
 
How Second Unitarian members currently participate in the organization:
 
 
 
How Second Unitarian members can participate if they do not already:
 
 
 
Grant Amount Requested:
(please note that the Fitts Fund donates half of 2U's collection plate for a specified period of time and cannot guarantee a dollar amount)
Second Unitarian Values, Principles and Sources of Faith
 
Our Church's Values:  Building healthy relationships is the key value of our church.  We long for strong relationships with each other and with the world we share. 
 
This value is lived out through two key commitments:
  • Reconciliation in our lives personally, in our community and in the wider world.
  • Honoring our relationship with the earth through conservation and renewal of our shared planet. 
Through these commitments we seek to be bridge builders in the world. 
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
  • The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:
  • Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
  • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
  • Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
  • Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
  • Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit. Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.