First Christian Church Announces 2025 Inspiring Generosity Grant Winners
Some of the Inspiring Generosity Grant award winners (L to R): Kerry Pickle from the Fulton County Health Department's Breast Cancer Support Group, Gary and Sarah Smart from First Baptist's Food Pantry and Michelle Spiva from Spoon River Partnership for Economic
By - Jessa Wenger, First Christian Church
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Canton announced the awarding of their Inspiring Generosity Grants in worship on Sunday, November 16th. This grant program was an outgrowth of their vision of becoming dedicated disciples through “Passionate Spirituality, Joyful Service and Inspiring Generosity.” FCC received 16 grant proposals from non-profits in the Canton area and awarded 10 projects for a total of $10,356.29 in grant monies in the following awards:
- $900 for Lincoln Elementary School’s program to support nonverbal students with playground communication tools and visuals
- $1,000 for The Back-to-School Bash, as requested by Police Officer Buhl, to provide haircuts for students before the upcoming school year
- $2,000 for The Salvation Army to provide supplemental household supplies for the Angel Tree event
- $2,000 for The Salvation Army to provide a daily soup kitchen in Canton
- $500 for the Spoon River Economic Partnership to provide supportive incentives for participants in the Pathway to Home Ownership
- $809.70 for the Fulton County Health Department’s Breast Cancer Support Group supplies
- $1,000 for the United Way to participate in “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” to provide books for early education learners
- $800 for First Baptist’s Food Pantry to purchase an ergonomic card and new shelving
- $546.59 for Camp Big Sky to create an inclusive archery range for all abilities of campers
- $800 for Temple Baptist Church’s Pantry Box during the busiest seasons of need
The goal of the grants is for individuals and organizations in the Canton area to pursue a creative project to serve people in need or to better the community through service. Overall, FCC is most interested in proposals that creatively address needs in the areas of education, poverty, personal care supplies or human services. First Christian is excited to grant these wonderful projects that will make life better for many Cantonites. We are grateful to the Ingersoll Trust Fund, which allows us to be able to inspire the generosity of our neighbors.
If you have an idea that you would propose for the next round of First Christian’s Inspiring Generosity Grants in 2026, look for updates next fall at cantonfcc.org/grants.