The Self-Development of People program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) offers local and national grants to organizations helping poor people overcome poverty and oppression.  The organizations must be grassroots, operated mostly by the people being helped.  Grants are awarded after reviewing a group's application and visiting to evaluate the organization.

    The SDOP mission statement, and links to SDOP criteria and an application, are below.

Mission Statement

      Self-Development of People is a ministry that affirms God’s concern for humankind.  We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling.  We participate in the empowerment of poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice.

Preamble

        A major responsibility of the Self-Development Committee  is to establish partnerships with groups of poor and oppressed people through outreach, solidarity, and financial support.  The Criteria and Guidelines are the measures the Committee uses to evaluate  and fund proposals presented to them.    Neither the Criteria nor the Guidelines are meant to deter groups from seeking help in their fight for self-determination but are intended to guide the funding of real self-development grass-roots efforts.  The Committee  keeps three fundamental concepts in mind when considering a proposal for validation.  They are 1) need;  2) the potential for self-realization; and 3) the notion of people acting for themselves and being in control of their own actions.  If a proposal has these  ingredients of self-development, yet it does not entirely fit into all the following Criteria, it will not necessarily be disqualified.  The Self-Development Committee reviews all proposals carefully and  investigates creatively the aspects of self-development behind proposals.

How to Apply

1.  Read the Criteria Standards to determine that your group qualifies.

2.  If you qualify, download and fill out the application.

3.  Return the application.

There's more on SDOP from PC(USA).