Accepted by SJ Council 03-30-22

Revised 11-06-25

Policy

Policies are the rules for handling funds, agreed on and then not subject to change except as determined by the council.

The Social Justice Council shall have full discretion and authority to make grants and disperse funds collected from the 2022 & 2025 special appeals and any additional direct fundraising or restricted gift for a purpose or project stewarded by the fund. The council shall provide an annual report to the board of all income and expenditures each fiscal year (report may be made by the Minister on behalf of the council).

Guidelines for the Use of Funds

The Social Justice Council shall meet quarterly to review the grant fund (including recent expenditures), make decisions on future grants and/ or allocate funds to a particular ministry team. 

Additional requests for funds up to $1,000 shall be submitted in writing (via email) to the Social Justice Council and include the following:

• Alignment with our BUUF Mission, Vision, Ends; current social justice ministry work, congregational resolutions, UUA Statements of conscience and/or UU Values
• Proposed dates and budget for project/event 
• Leadership of project and responsible parties for use of funds
• Final report at end of fiscal year (or project timeline) on how funds were used
• If funds have been previously allocated to a particular ministry team or program, that team has authority to spend them on related projects & events at their discretion

Priority for funding will be given to:

• Active social justice ministry teams
  • Racial Justice
  • Refugee & Immigrant Justice
  • Climate Action
  • Pride/LGBTQ+ Ministry
  • Reproductive Justice
  • Housing/Food Insecurity
• Projects or outside groups with an ongoing relationship with BUUF (or the start of a new one)
• Projects or outside groups that have a local or regional impact
• Projects or outside groups that do not duplicate plate partners

We encourage clear communication and celebration of grant gift or project completion along with exploring ways to continue the relationship in the future (if warranted)

Accepted at the March 30, 2022 meeting of the Social Justice Council