2026 Holston Foundation Grants & Scholarships Applications Open
The Holston Foundation grants for mission and ministry are now open to all Methodist churches and related ministries! New and past applicants are encouraged to apply. Grants through the Foundation are one of the many ways we partner with churches in ministry. In 2025, the Holston Foundation awarded more than $258,000 in grants to make a difference. Holston Foundation grants are made possible because generous donors left a legacy that continues today through gifts to local churches and ministries. Remember, if you have a vision to fund a grant or scholarship, the Holston Foundation can work with you to make your vision into a legacy.
How to Apply
Visit www.holstonfoundation.org/grants-scholarships to apply, where you will find a link to a user-friendly online application. Grant applications are due April 10th. Please keep in mind we will ONLY be accepting online applications through our award software Kaleidoscope. Applications close on April 10.
What To Know
Don’t be intimidated by applying for a Holston Foundation grant. There are resources and support to help you.
What You Need To Know Overview
At www.holstonfoundation.org/grants-scholarships, you will find the grant policy, an example grant application, a step-by-step tutorial, and more.
Holston Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships are available for Methodist students for both higher education and seminary. Last year, the Holston Foundation gave more than $158,000 in scholarships to students across Holston. A simple online application is open now for students to apply for, save their progress, and submit by May 1 at www.holstonfoundation.org/grants-scholarships.
Additional Scholarships
Find more scholarship opportunities for students through the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation at www.umhef.org. Check out the Dollars For Scholars program, a matching opportunity between your church, your school, UMHEF, and the Holston Foundation for a possible $4,000 in additional scholarship funds!
What Awardees Have to Say
“We were incredibly overjoyed and deeply grateful for Holston’s contribution to this project. We were even more thankful for the generosity that your gift inspired in others around us. Because of your $1,500 gift, Main Street School was able to realize a total of $7,000+ in value contributed (so far) toward our Faculty & Staff Professional Development Program.” – Main Street Christian School
“One of our favorite quotes is from Melodee Fosner, who with her husband Verlon is considered a pioneer of the dinner church movement. She describes the dinner table as ‘a place where we put the hand of a stranger into the hand of Jesus.’ We have been so blessed to bear witness to the power of Jesus around a simple dinner table, and we thank the Holston Foundation for helping us make that a reality. – St. Matthew UMC’s The Table
“The Holston Foundation grant we received has helped more than 600 people in our local community receive food assistance. It has also made it possible for the pantry to provide each family with a turkey during the holiday season.” -Wesley Memorial UMC’s Etowah Community Food Pantry
“Through God’s blessings and the generosity of this grant, we are able to continue to connect people who have, in many cases, been isolated due to widowhood, retirement, and other barriers. These individuals have been touched by God’s love and have become thriving participants in not only our group, but in church attendance and activities. We celebrate each individual as God’s gift, so this program is very important to these participants. This grant is very important as an ongoing means of support.” -Mt. Pleasant UMC’s Seniors in Action
“The rising cost of laboratory panels continues to present a significant challenge, even as the need for these tests remains universal. At Crossroads, we recognize the essential role lab work plays in identifying and supporting patient health. We are deeply grateful for the Holston Foundation’s partnership, which enables us to provide this critical care without passing costs on to our patients.” -Crossroads Medical Mission
Holston Foundation grants and scholarships are just one expression of generosity that continues to make a difference in the lives of others. As we begin a new year, let us look for opportunities to invest in others through the generosity of our time, talents, and gifts.
For questions about grants or scholarships, contact grant manager Sarah Avento at savento@holstonfoundation.org.