New OCA Grant Supports Missions Outgrowing Their Worship Spaces

SPRINGFIELD, VA — The Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) Department of Evangelization has opened applications for a new grant program designed to help missions that have outgrown their current worship facilities move into larger spaces.

Known as the Growing Spaces Grant, the initiative will provide financial assistance specifically for rent or mortgage payments. The program is intended to help missions manage the increased expenses that often accompany a move to a larger facility while giving the communities time to grow into their new financial obligations.

Funding will be distributed over a three-year period, with the amount of assistance decreasing each year. Applications are being accepted both from missions that have already identified or moved into a new facility and from communities still in the process of finding a larger place of worship.

Applications must be submitted to the Department of Evangelization by Sept. 15, 2026. Each application must first receive approval from the mission’s diocesan bishop. Following departmental review, recommended applicants will be presented to the Metropolitan Council and the Holy Synod of Bishops for final approval, with grants designated for use during the 2027 calendar year.

The initiative is supported in part by the Stewards of the Orthodox Church in America, whose contributions help fund programs and resources for parishes, missions, and the faithful. The new grant reflects an effort to provide practical support to mission communities as they seek to accommodate continued growth.

Previously, the UOJ reported that GOARCH launched $25,000 parish planned giving grants.