Our Process​
​
The chief purpose of The SOMA Foundation, established in 2014, is to glorify God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ by providing grants to Christian ministries whose goals include the proclamation of the gospel and whose activities and operating principles align with the Foundation’s Statement of Faith.
​​
Geographic Focus
​
The Foundation primarily funds organizations located within the sixteen counties of the West Central Georgia Health District** and Russell County, Alabama. Organizations outside this geographic area may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). If the Foundation determines that the request aligns with SOMA’s mission, Statement of Faith, and priority areas, the organization may be invited to submit a full application. ​
​
(**) Georgia Counties in the West Central Health District: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp,
Dooley, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph,
Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster.
​​
​
​
General Guidelines for Grants
​
The SOMA Foundation seeks out organizations/ministries that demonstrate:
(1) Effectiveness (2) Collaboration (3) Best Practices
(4) Sustainability (5) Document Outcomes
(6) Alignment with The SOMA Foundation Priorities
​​
Effectiveness: Provide a clear record of how your organization has successfully delivered the services described in your request. If the proposal represents a new initiative, include evidence of your organization’s ability to implement new programs effectively.
Collaboration: Describe the organizations you collaborate with, the funding already secured for this request, and the additional funders you plan to approach.
Best Practices: Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to strong governance, sound operations, and recognized best practices, and show how these practices are applied in delivering the services proposed in your request.
Sustainability: Describe your organization’s financial and operational capacity to sustain the proposed work beyond the grant period, including anticipated challenges.
Documented Outcomes: Describe the results you want to achieve, not just the activities you will complete, and the tools you will use to track those results.
Alignment with The SOMA Foundation: Explain how your mission and proposed project align with the values of The SOMA Foundation, and connect with one or more of SOMA’s three priority areas:
1. Theological School Scholarships
2. Transformative Ministries for the Poor and Vulnerable
3. Retired Clergy Benevolence Grants (The Shepherd’s Fund)
​
​
Restrictions​
​
The SOMA Foundation:
• Makes charitable grants only to 501(c)3 organizations as classified by the IRS Code of 1986ff.
• Requires all applicants to affirm and operate in accordance with the SOMA Statement of Faith.
• Does not fund endowments.
• Does not make loans to individuals or organizations.
• Does not fund social clubs, booster organizations, or political/legislative advocacy groups.
• Does not fund organizations headquartered outside the United States or its territories.
• Generally does not fund film or documentary production.
• Generally does not fund local church or school operating budgets.
• Generally does not fund seed/start-up organizations.
• Generally does not fund events, festivals, or conferences.
• Generally does not fund previously incurred debt.
• Generally does not make multi-year pledges.
Grant Cycle & Deadlines
​​
To ensure adequate time for a full application, we strongly encourage applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) early in the grant cycle. LOIs submitted fewer than 10 business days before the full application deadline may be reviewed in the next grant cycle.​
​
Board meetings are held quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Applications must be received by February 1, May 1, August 1, or November 1 to be considered. Applications received later will be held until the next Board meeting.
​
​
How to Apply
​
If your organization aligns with SOMA’s priorities and Statement of Faith, please follow the application process below.
​
Step 1: Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)
All organizations must begin by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) through our online portal. The LOI allows the Foundation to determine whether your request aligns with SOMA’s mission, Statement of Faith, and priority areas.
Step 2: Invitation to Apply
If the Foundation determines that your request is a good fit, you will receive an invitation with a code to submit a full grant application. Only invited organizations may access and complete the full application.
After Submission
• If additional information is needed, Foundation staff will contact you.
• If your Letter of Inquiry is approved, you will receive an email with details on the next steps.
• If your grant application is approved, you will receive a formal award letter outlining the details of the grant.
• If your Letter of Inquiry is not approved, you will receive email notification.
• If your grant application is not approved, you will receive written notification.