GBGM Community Developers Program: Apply by January 20th
January 12, 2023 | by Dana Lyles
Editor's note: Deadline to apply for the Community Developers Program and the Annual Conference CDP Cohort program has been extended to January 20th. Please download the attached file to learn more and apply.
The Community Developers Program (CDP) is a network of racial-ethnic congregations and communities throughout the United States committed to advancing the church’s capacity to be in mission in partnership with the communities where they are located. Work includes advocacy, economic development, youth organizing, addressing local needs and concerns, and creating an awareness of national and international causes and effects.
The CDP network currently has 22 active sites throughout the US. CDP site focus areas include, but are not limited to, affordable housing, education, healthcare access, immigration rights and small business development.
Many United Methodist congregations are facing financial challenges yet seek to make an impact in the local community. The cohort model will enable local congregations to work collaboratively in their city and community to serve those in need. The current CDP model invites individual racial-ethnic congregations to apply to become a site. However, given current financial challenges, many congregations do not have the financial or human resources to effectively implement an individual CDP site.
The 2023 Annual Conference CDP Cohort Program will work directly with 5 annual conferences (1 conference per jurisdiction) in a cohort model. Annual conferences are welcome to apply beginning October 17, 2022- January 20, 2023. The cohort will begin February 2023. Annual conferences accepted into the Annual Conference CDP Cohort Program will participate in monthly meetings and coaching sessions. Throughout the cohort, each group will develop an implementation plan and will receive a grant up to $20,000 at the conclusion of the training sessions. Annual conferences that participated in the 2021 cohort are not eligible for the 2023 cohort.
Dana Lyles serves as the Director of Multi-Ethnic Ministries / Team Lead at the General Board of Global Ministries.
