WASHINGTON-The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), The United Methodist Church's racial justice agency, announced that the CORR Action Fund (CAF) will be releasing the United States Program Grants for 2017-2020 with $750,000 in available funding. Applications will be accepted starting May of 2017 with a deadline of August 2017.

GCORR is seeking to fund innovative and bold initiatives that will support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, xenophobia, and systemic equity.

UMC churches and other UMC entities in the United States are invited to apply for funding to disrupt racism and xenophobia by working with a community partner or alliance to:

• Identify and change at least one racist and/or xenophobic system, policy, or practice in the wider community.
• Engage UMC people with diverse community partners in frequent vital conversations about racism and xenophobia.
• Build understanding and trusting relationships among diverse people in the wider community.

Erin Hawkins, GCORR General Secretary stated: "The CORR Action Fund is an exciting part of the ministry of the General Commission on Religion and Race and The United Methodist Church because it provides empowerment and encouragement to people working to make a difference in their local communities all around the world."

CAF Committee Chair, Rev. Stephen Handy, remarked: "As a CAF committee, we are committed to building the capacity for our beloved United Methodist Church to reach more people, younger people and diverse people by starting vital congregations that develop intercultural competent leaders who participate in building institutional equity that levels the playing field so that God's kingdom is evident on earth as it is in heaven."

Hawkins noted that especially "During this time where racial and cultural divisions run deep and racism is as visible and destructive as ever, we invite leaders in local churches, districts and annual conferences who are committed to dismantling the sin of racism and building the Beloved Community of God to apply for the CORR Action Fund grant. And while we won't be able to fund every project, we look forward to supporting as many as possible."

Learn more about the CORR Action Fund grant here.