SECOND MILER GRANT PROGRAM (SMGP) INSTRUCTIONS, GUIDELINES AND PRINCIPLES
The Urantia Book Fellowship’s (the Fellowship's) Executive Committee and General Council launched a grant program in 2020 called the Second Miler Grant Program (SMGP) to support revelation development projects sponsored by bone fide Urantia Book readers or reader groups worldwide including the Fellowship's Committees, General Council members, Societies and Area Coordinators/Field Workers.
Let your imagination soar. Annual program funding comes from investing a sustainable portion of the Fellowship's assets into the ideas and initiative of readers, both inside and outside of our circle. Those who are willing to go the second mile have ideas that will enable others to be inspired by this gift of revelation. If you have an idea that is a revelation development project and you need some support to pursue your initiative then we would like to hear from you.
What is the Second Miler Grant Program?
The principal intention of the SMGP is to seed each year a number of unique smaller projects initiated by individuals or groups of Urantia Book readers that contribute in a variety of ways to the work of disseminating The Urantia Book and its teachings.
While the grant limit will be on a case-by-case basis it is understood that grants up to $2,500 per year on average would be the norm but that a greater or lesser sum can be approved by the Fellowship’s Executive Committee when deemed appropriate. Multi-year funding for any project will be considered as will the occasional larger project.
Applications from the Urantia Book community can be from:
- Individual readers
- Local Societies
- Special projects by the Fellowship's committees
- Initiatives by two or more Area Coordinators/Field Workers or General Council members acting together
- Developers of secondary works including music and film
- Unique outreach programs
- Organizers of a new regional gathering (only the first and second years)
- Proponents of initiatives that are especially creative and unique
Please note that the SMGP cannot respond to emergency situations, there being no “fast-track” procedure.
One of the paramount objectives is, if possible, the nurturing of a relationship with applicants regardless of whether the application is approved or not. The SMGP will attempt to work with applicants to improve worthy applications if initially found wanting.
An applicant’s affiliation with any other Urantia-Book-based organizations will not hinder an application as long as there is no conflict with the Fellowship’s Vision or Statement of Purpose.
Examples
Over the years that the program has been in existence, a wide variety of dissemination projects have received SMGP funding, mainly in the USA, South America and Africa. They range from a feature film, YouTube videos and new books, to outreach efforts such as online and in-person Urantia Book sessions. The SMGP has even funded bicycles to enable Urantia Book leaders to reach outlying communities in Africa.
Here are some of the beneficiaries:
How do I apply?
You can apply by completing the form at the bottom of this page. If you want to send additional documents with your application, please submit by email to the Fellowship Office with a copy to the Treasurer. No PDF applications please.
You may add or attach to an email any additional notes which you feel will increase the review team’s understanding of your proposal.
Applications may be submitted at any time but applications will be gathered and brought forward for review and potential approval in four batches per year generally timed as January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December. Within each quarter the application deadline will be approximately eight weeks ahead of the end of the quarter to allow time for consultations with the applicants. Specifically, applications should be received no later than the end of January, end of April, end of July, and end of October to be included in the quarter.
Not all applications will necessarily be approved. You are free to apply again whether your application is successful or not.
In Section 2 of the Application, you are asked to include a short biography of the principal applicant(s) only, including how you found The Urantia Book. Describe the two most valuable concepts that improved your life. Try to keep this short and to the point.
In Section 9 of the Application the principal applicant(s) must declare that they have read The Urantia Book in its entirety at least once.
While not an absolute requirement, where possible, applicants are encouraged to seek funds from other sources to help maximize the impact of the SMGP. You are asked to explain any other sources of funds without disclosing any confidential information.
If any, add or attach testimonials, provided by other Urantia Book readers familiar with the applicant(s) and/or the project.
