Dear Friends:

            ‘YOUR WORD IS A LAMP THAT GIVES LIGHT WHEREVER I WALK.” Psalm 119:105

            Thank you for your interest in the Scripture Grant and Donation Program of the Maryland Bible Society.  One of the joys of working at MBS is our partnership with various ministries and missions and churches and denominations to provide Scripture for various needs of people everywhere.  We look forward to working with you and your special and important ministry to people in the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

               The faithful donors and supporters and churches and women’s mission groups around the state of Maryland and yes, even from many other states, help provide the donations and gifts that make this Scripture Grant and Donation Program possible.  All contributions go toward our Scripture Grant distribution ministry of God’s Word. Nothing is used for the running or maintaining of the operation of the Society.  But whether you are a Donor, giving support to our Scripture Grant and Donation Program or you are a receiver of those Grants and gifts, we also want every church and mission organization and ministry to feel a sense of their own INVESTMENT in the work of the Bible Society.  Jesus was correct it is “more blessed to give than to receive.”  Unfortunately, even in the Christian community there are many ministries that want to “get” scripture but do not feel any obligation to make an investment in our program so that other ministries may be blessed in the future in what they receive.  So the Scripture Grant and Donation program is a two-way street.  It would be great if we could give every single Bible and New Testament away to worthy ministries.  But this is not good stewardship of the gifts of all of God’s people.  A good steward plants the seed wisely and well.  And a good steward also knows that there is more to it than just planting – there is working the soil and cultivation and pruning and harvesting and much more.  Giving is where all the blessings really come to fruition from the simple seed of giving – GIVING TO THE WORK OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY and GIVING TO THE MINISTRY OF SHARING GOD’S WORD.  We strongly believe that God is calling us to be good and faithful stewards of our financial gifts, donations, and resources.  That is why we cannot always give a grantee everything they may want.  Grants are made on the basis of funding available at the time of the request and the availability of Scripture in stock and the purpose and ministry for which they are intended.

            All grant requests are reviewed carefully and honored in some way.  But this also means that each time you seek a grant of Scriptures or Bibles during the year, you must SUBMIT A BRAND NEW GRANT FORM EACH TIME you need a Grant.  This is because there is no guarantee that the grant can be made or will be made in the same way each time.  Also, with the ever-increasing requests for Scriptures and Grants, it is the policy of the Bible Society to try to serve as many ministries and outreach endeavors as possible.  There are times when we have to say, “We’re sorry – please apply again in the future.”  We want to encourage as many different kinds of ministries with Bibles, New Testaments, and scripture selections and portions as possible during the year. Also you must understand that a grant involves  the cost of shipping as a part of the underwriting of the grant from funds available.  For some ministries, shipping is part of the grant and for others; we reserve the right to request payment of shipping on all Grants.  It should also be known that ministries residing in the District of Columbia (Washington) fall under the grant resources available from the former Washington City Bible Society, which dissolved in 1997.  If you have questions concerning our Scripture Grant Program, please do not hesitate to call me or to write or email me at mdbibles@marylandbible.org.

SCRIPTURE GRANT POLICIES – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY – THANK YOU

Below are some of our GUIDELINES FOR SCRIPTURE GRANTS

1. Grants/ Donations are based on NEED, KIND OF MINISTRY, and FUNDING AVAILABILITY. It is our position that churches and faith communities have the resources to raise funds to cover the cost of most Bible needs. Therefore, unless there is an emergency (such as a fire, earthquake, flood, etc.) we do not make grants to churches for the use of in-house church ministries (worship, Sunday School, etc). Our main criteria for a grant continue to be NEED AND LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES.  If an applicant has funding available in a budget to purchase Scriptures, there is no need of a grant in our view.  Individual grants are limited and require a letter from a Pastor/ and or Church Board or group to which the individual belongs.
   
2. Bible and New Testament grants are, in most cases, LIMITED TO THE LOW COST MISSION PAPERBACK EDITIONS.  Hardback covered Bibles are not normally granted, and then only in rare circumstances.
   
3. Grant applicants are expected under most situations to PURCHASE part of the Scripture needs being requested.  A general rule of thumb will be that a ministry should purchase TWO SCRIPTURES (FULL BIBLES) FOR EACH ONE GRANTED.  Chaplains of Prisons and Hospitals are encouraged to receive a Bible grant on a ONE FOR ONE BASIS – one Bible purchased – and One Bible granted.  Chaplains are encouraged as well to seek out Christian businesses and persons who would be willing to help with the funding toward a grant that matches the One for One criterion.
   
4. Grant recipients are encouraged to support the work of the Bible Society, either by regular contributions to our mission and ongoing grant program.  Thus, by doing so, you are enabling MBS to grant Scripture to others.  Also Grantees are asked to REPORT to the Executive Director their distribution effort and how the Scriptures were used and received by persons through written stories, testimonies and pictures.
   
5. There will be occasions when the Maryland Bible Society will only be able to grant free materials, such as evangelistic selections and portions and seasonal selections for events, rallies, street ministries and events at Christmas and Easter.
   
6. With regard to Prison Ministries, MBS prefers to work grants for CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS and PRISONS through the official Chaplain’s Office or Pastoral Care Officer of the institution.  Special grants for specific inmates should be made through the request of the chaplain to the Bible Society’s Executive Director.  Scripture resources in Spanish for correctional institutions will also be considered in the low cost editions.
   
7. Please be aware that the Executive Director is the final say on all grants and sets the maximum amount allowed for a particular grant based on information provided, the kind of ministry and the availability of grant funds.
   
8. Also, in order to be considered seriously for a grant, all requested information on the grant form and the Covenant form must be provided to the Executive Director.  Otherwise, the Executive Director will contact the person/or ministry for further clarification of the information and ministry request.