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Black Disciples Endowment Fund
Supporting Black Ministries
The purpose of the Black Disciples Endowment Fund is to undergird Black ministries within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. This purpose is achieved through grants to individuals and ministries for Leadership Development, Congregational Growth and Vitality, and Responses to and advocacy for the well-being of the African American community.
These grants are given as a fulfillment of the pledge that is made to donors who have invested their resources to enable the vision of the fund and as a means for enlarging the partnership of Christians invested in the enterprise. The Black Disciples Endowment Fund Board of Trustees are looking for opportunities to enlarge this partnership and are interested in projects that demonstrate the empowerment possibilities in this ministry.
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Learn more about how the BDEF awards more than $700k in grants.
Questions?
For more info, please contact: Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew at nationalconvocation@disciples.org or (317) 713-2407.
Awarding $700k+ in Grants
The Black Disciples Endowment Fund (BDEF) has given out $776,407.37 in grants to support the work of leadership development, congregational growth and vitality, and advocacy projects that ensure the well-being of the African American community. BDEF is an endowment fund owned by the National Christian Missionary Convention invested with the Christian Church Foundation. Established in 1984 to undergird Black ministries within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, it has grown significantly and impacted a multitude of individuals and ministries. It is comprised of numerous named funds and legacy donations honoring individuals and ancestors throughout the life of the church. ​
A recent grant award to the Certificate of African American Ministry (CAAM) program, in partnership with the Lexington Theological Seminary, helped support clergy education and leadership development. Grants from the Black Disciples Endowment Fund have also provided resources for the African American Institute of Faith and Life, and workshops during the biennial session of the National Convocation and General Assembly.
A new grant cycle will commence this fall. Through the BDEF’s granting program, earnings from the fund will be awarded to approved projects to fund a variety of initiatives to sustain emerging leaders and to strengthen and expand ministries as they adapt to meet needs during these challenging times.