By David Kao

I want to let people know about Chalice Lighters. It is funding program for Pacific Northwest UU congregations, by Northwest UU congregations. Chalice Lighters is a unique funding program based in the congregations. Regular contributors to the program are called ‘Chalice Lighters’. The funding raising and granting program specifically supports UU congregations from Oregon to Alaska, including British Columbia and parts of Idaho. Congregations in this region can apply for funding for important projects in their congregations. Since it’s inception in 1997, Chalice Lighters has raised nearly one million dollars for congregations in the Cascadia region.

Some examples for grants are UU fellowship of Fairbanks a newreplacement boiler for their heating system , UU congregation at Willamette Falls funded a intern minister, Anchorage UU funded building a
handicap ramp. The current fall call is for the UU Fellowship of Klamath Co. to help pay off a loan for a new heat pump and roof repairs. Our congregation has received two Chalice Lighters grants in the past. The last one in 2021 during the pandemic to fund a Tech person and equipment for online Zoom services and 2015 a technology grant upgrading our sound system.

Individual UU’s who enroll to support congregational projects are invited to make 3 gifts per year of at least $20 per person, though gifts range in size from $20 to $250. Monthly payments are optional. A congregation is eligible for a grant when 30% of a congregation’s individual members are active Chalice Lighters. Three grants are made each year. Grants range from $10,000 to $20,000. To qualify for this funding, 30% of a congregation’s individual members must be enrolled and active as Chalice Lighter contributors. This number is based on the most recent membership certification issued by the
Unitarian Universalist Association. Our current membership number stands at 79.

MCUUF has fallen behind in active Chalice Lighters . We presently have only 14 active Chalice Lighters only 10% of our congregation. We have a bit to catch up. We would like to be able to qualify for Chalice Lighter grants.

If you would like to become a Chalice Lighter, visit here. Be sure to choose MCUUF when asked what congregation you belong to and if you can please let me know that you signed up. You can reach me at dbkao101@ gmail.com so I can keep track of our numbers. Thanks so much.