“Innovation in theological education requires systemic thinking, shared practices, and organizational alignment rooted in mission.”
This observation from the In Trust Center’s “Practicing Innovation” video series captures a movement gaining momentum across the religious landscape in 2026 . From exploring the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence to creating new pathways for spiritual formation, religious organizations and entrepreneurs are discovering that innovation and faithfulness are not opposites—they are partners in mission.
If you have a vision for something new—a program, a startup, a research initiative, or a community of practice—this guide will help you navigate the diverse landscape of religious innovation grant funding in 2026.
Part 1: The 2026 Landscape for Religious Innovation
A Growing Ecosystem of Support
The past few months have seen an extraordinary wave of grant announcements for faith-based innovation. According to the In Trust Center, Lilly Endowment Inc. alone has invested more than $700 million in theological education and Christian practice initiatives across the United States and Canada . The John Templeton Foundation continues to fund interdisciplinary research at the intersection of science, philosophy, and religion, with recent grants totaling over $2 million to Boston College and $2.5 million to Hillsdale College .
This funding surge reflects a broader recognition: religious institutions and entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, from spiritual formation to ethical technology development.
Key Themes for 2026
| Theme | Description | Major Funders |
|---|---|---|
| AI and Faith | Exploring ethical and spiritual dimensions of artificial intelligence | Notre Dame, Lilly Endowment |
| Christian Practices | Helping individuals explore spiritual questions and build community | Lilly Endowment |
| Social Entrepreneurship | Startups addressing hunger, housing, poverty, and refugee resettlement | First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta |
| Theological Education | Strengthening seminaries and pastoral leadership | Lilly Endowment, In Trust Center |
| Research & Scholarship | Understanding religion’s role in economic development and human flourishing | Templeton Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust |
| Youth Economic Empowerment | Supporting young entrepreneurs in key sectors | Jerry Eze Foundation (Nigeria) |
Part 2: Major Grant Opportunities for 2026
1. Lilly Endowment: Exploring Christian Practices Initiative
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | Up to $2.5 million over 5 years |
| Number of Awards | Approximately 60 grants |
| Deadline | Letter of Interest due March 25, 2026; Full proposal due May 18, 2026 |
| Focus | Programs helping individuals explore Christian practices, engage spiritual questions, build community, and grow in faith |
Lilly Endowment’s new Exploring Christian Practices Initiative is designed to respond to “increasing spiritual curiosity—especially among younger generations” . The initiative encourages organizations to “adapt, adopt, and implement practices rooted in their theological traditions in settings both inside and beyond congregations” .
Eligible Organizations: Charitable organizations including congregations, denominational agencies, theological schools, colleges and universities, and parachurch organizations .
Winners Announced: December 2026.
2. Notre Dame DELTA Partner Program: Faith and AI Rapid Response Grants
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | Up to $100,000 (Rapid Response phase) |
| Number of Awards | Up to 10 grants |
| Deadline | February 26, 2026 (11:59 PM ET) |
| Project Duration | 4-5 months (April – September 2026) |
| Focus | Ethical and spiritual dimensions of artificial intelligence |
The Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good’s DELTA Partner Program is seeking “bold, visionary organizations and thought leaders” to explore AI through the lens of the DELTA framework—Dignity, Embodiment, Love, Transcendence, and Agency .
Areas of Focus:
- K-8 curriculum development on ethical AI use
- High school curriculum development
- Pastoral training programs for Christian denominations
- Public-facing creative projects (video series, podcasts, digital media)
Special Opportunity: Rapid Response grantees will be eligible to apply for second-phase Impact Grants of $500,000 to $1 million .
Key Deliverable: Present work at the September 21-23, 2026 Summit on AI, Faith, and Human Flourishing at Notre Dame.
3. John Templeton Foundation: Ongoing Opportunities
The John Templeton Foundation continues to be one of the largest funders of research at the intersection of science, philosophy, and religion. Recent 2026 grants include:
| Grant | Amount | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Phase IX | $3.6 million | Cross-national surveys on religious beliefs, demographic studies, tracking restrictions on religion worldwide |
| The Virtues and Vices of Spiritual Yearning | $2.5 million | Three-year research project bringing philosophy, religion, and psychology into dialogue |
| Cura Psychologia | Part of $2.05 million package | Transforming psychological science through integration with philosophy and theology at six Jesuit universities |
| Character Formation in Catholic Schools | Part of $2.05 million package | Examining factors that advance character formation in Catholic elementary, middle, and secondary schools |
| EL Education Crew Program | Part of $2.05 million package | Nurturing students’ civic character strengths through daily school meetings |
Application Process: The Templeton Foundation accepts proposals through its online portal. Funding areas include Religion, Science and Society; Character Virtue Development; and Human Sciences .
4. Templeton Religion Trust: SCORE Program
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant | Social Consequences of Religions (SCORE) Grant 3 |
| Focus | Religion and economic development |
| Timeline | New research phase beginning July 2026 (14 months) |
The SCORE initiative is a “multi-decade, multi-national and multi-pronged effort to evaluate the effects of religious belief, behaviour, and institutions on many crucial domains of human life” . The project aims to understand how religious populations evolve in terms of demography, human capital, income, inequality, and economic development.
5. Lilly Endowment: National Initiative to Strengthen Hispanic Pastoral Leaders
| Recipient | Grant Amount | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists | $1.5 million | Misión Next initiative for Hispanic pastors and congregations |
This initiative is one of 23 grants nationwide supporting Hispanic pastoral leadership. The Misión Next initiative focuses on four key groups: first-generation Latino(a) pastors, second- and third-generation pastors, Latino(a) leaders and administrators, and next-generation leaders .
6. Epiphany Grant: Faith-Based Social Entrepreneurship
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | Varies (nearly $500,000 awarded to date) |
| Deadline | January 6, 2026 (passed for 2026 cohort) |
| Format | Faith-based social entrepreneurship incubator |
| Model | Inspired by “Shark Tank” |
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta’s Epiphany program supports “startups tackling today’s most pressing challenges” including hunger, homelessness, housing, refugee resettlement, racial equity, poverty, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability .
Success Stories: Refuge Coffee Co., PadSplit, and Purposeful Gourmet Foods are among the ventures supported .
Note: While the 2026 application deadline has passed, the Epiphany program is “an evergreen initiative,” making it a recurring opportunity for future years .
7. Jerry Eze Foundation: Young Entrepreneurs Grant (Nigeria)
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Grant Pool | $300,000 |
| Number of Recipients | 100 young entrepreneurs |
| Minimum Grant | $3,000 per recipient |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing |
| Focus | Youth economic empowerment |
Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, announced this grant scheme in January 2026 as “an early insight into a larger plan” for holistic empowerment . The program is administered through an independent organization to ensure transparency.
8. In Trust Center: Board Development and Resource Grants
| Grant Type | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Board Development Grants | Up to $10,000 | March 2, 2026 |
| Resource Grants | Up to $15,000 (matching) | March 2026 cycle |
The In Trust Center offers grants specifically for theological schools and seminaries. Board Development Grants support “action-oriented board development initiatives that advance your governing or advisory board’s strategic priorities” . Resource Grants help member schools “engage external expertise to address strategic challenges and pursue innovative opportunities” .
Part 3: How to Apply for Religious Innovation Grants
Understanding the Process
Most religious innovation grants follow a structured application process:
- Letter of Interest (LOI) or Inquiry: A brief (1-3 page) summary of your project
- Full Proposal: Detailed project description, budget, timeline, and evaluation plan
- Review and Decision: Typically 2-6 months from full proposal submission
Key Elements of a Strong Proposal
| Element | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Mission Alignment | Show how your project aligns with the funder’s priorities (e.g., Lilly’s focus on Christian practices, Templeton’s emphasis on research rigor) |
| Innovation | What is new or different about your approach? How does it advance the field? |
| Capacity | Demonstrate that your organization has the expertise and infrastructure to execute the project |
| Sustainability | How will the work continue beyond the grant period? |
| Evaluation | How will you measure success? Include both quantitative and qualitative metrics |
| Community Engagement | Who will benefit? How will you involve stakeholders? |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mission creep: Proposing a project that doesn’t clearly fit the funder’s stated priorities
- Vague outcomes: “We will make a difference” without specific, measurable goals
- Underdeveloped budget: Missing key expenses like personnel, evaluation, or dissemination
- Isolated work: Failing to show how your project connects to broader networks or communities
- Late applications: Missing deadlines is the most common reason proposals are not considered
Part 4: Emerging Trends in Religious Innovation Funding
1. AI and Ethics
The Notre Dame DELTA program represents a significant new funding stream at the intersection of faith and technology. With AI rapidly reshaping how people work, think, care, and worship, funders are increasingly interested in projects that explore “what it means to be human in the era of powerful AI” .
2. Intergenerational Spiritual Formation
Lilly Endowment’s focus on “increasing spiritual curiosity—especially among younger generations” reflects a broader concern for how faith is passed to the next generation . Projects that create new pathways for youth and young adults to explore spiritual questions are particularly competitive.
3. Cross-Disciplinary Research
The Templeton Foundation’s grants to Boston College and Hillsdale College both emphasize bringing multiple disciplines into dialogue—philosophy, psychology, and theology; science and spirituality; economics and religion . Funders are looking for projects that break down academic silos.
4. Hispanic and Multicultural Leadership
Lilly Endowment’s $1.5 million grant to the Seventh-day Adventists for Hispanic pastoral leadership reflects a growing emphasis on supporting diverse faith communities and leaders . Projects that address cultural competency and multicultural ministry are well-positioned.
5. Social Entrepreneurship with Faith Roots
The Epiphany Grant model—combining startup capital with mentorship and community—has proven successful in supporting ventures that address social issues from a faith perspective . Similar programs may emerge in other regions.
Part 5: For International Applicants
While many of the grants listed focus on North America, there are opportunities for international applicants:
| Opportunity | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|
| Templeton Foundation | Global; funds research worldwide |
| Templeton Religion Trust (SCORE) | Multi-national; projects across diverse regions |
| Jerry Eze Foundation | Nigeria (currently) |
| Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures | 30-35 countries worldwide |
For international applicants, pay careful attention to eligibility requirements. Some grants require U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations or equivalent charitable status in the country of operation.
Tips for International Applicants
- Partner with a U.S.-based organization if the grant requires domestic status
- Demonstrate local impact while connecting to global questions
- Consider cultural context in your project design and evaluation
- Allow extra time for visa and administrative arrangements
Conclusion: Your Vision, Funded
The landscape for religious innovation grant funding in 2026 is more diverse and accessible than ever before. Whether you’re a pastor with a vision for new forms of spiritual community, a researcher exploring the intersection of faith and technology, a social entrepreneur addressing poverty and housing, or an educator developing new models of theological formation, there are funders ready to support your work.
As the In Trust Center notes, innovation in religious contexts requires “systemic thinking, shared practices, and organizational alignment rooted in mission” . The grants profiled here are not just about funding—they are about partnering with organizations that share your commitment to faithful, creative, and impactful work.
The deadlines for 2026 are approaching. Your proposal awaits. Start writing.