About

Wesley Foundation is an arm of the United Methodist Church with the specific mission of serving the spiritual needs of university students.  The Wesley Foundation of Southern Oregon University (SOU) has been involved in developing facilities and programs at SOU for over 50 years. In 1872, the local United Methodist Church was the first to build an institute of higher learning, Ashland Academy, on land that SOU now occupies.  Historically, the Wesley Foundation of SOU has invited outside speakers such as Joseph Campbell, and has also supported a Campus Chaplain.  

In the 21st century, Wesley Foundation of SOU has pivoted to providing grant funding for programs to staff and students that support cultural, emotional, and spiritual health.  Our dream is to partner with the SOU Community to create a learning environment that addresses the diverse needs of our students. Grants are funded by an Endowment Fund which is invested with Faith Foundation Northwest.

Grant Award Guidelines

The Wesley Foundation of Ashland, OR, has been blessed by many faithful gifts to further the vision and ministry of the Foundation to the students and community of Southern Oregon University. The investment of these gifts now generates income that, in turn, is available for enrichment of the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the SOU Community, with a priority on benefiting its students.

As stewards of the assets of the Endowment Fund, the Wesley Foundation of Ashland has the responsibility to consider prayerfully all grant applications submitted. In evaluating a grant application, the Committee will consider:

1. The nature of the project and its fit with the Foundation’s Mission and Vision.

Mission

The Wesley Foundation serves SOU students by fostering mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, in partnership with the broader SOU community, especially in supporting programs and events.

Vision

The Wesley Foundation will support programs and events that enhance student life skills through the following:

• Support spiritual growth

• Improve mental and emotional well-being

• Provide tools to help build relationships

• Foster a sense of community through service

• Build knowledge of cultures, religions/spiritualities, stewardship, and justice

2. The proposed budget and action plan and whether the grant request demonstrates an effective use of the funds.

3. The anticipated outcomes and associated measurements of success (e.g., number of students helped, evidence of impact and effectiveness).

The Foundation will not consider grants that provide staff or faculty salaries, but will support, within reason, administrative costs associated with the proposed project.

The Foundation is cognizant that there are many varied possibilities of ministries and programs. A variable amount of funds will be available for grants from year to year. For 2026, a total of $10,000 is available for grant awards.

Grant application submissions to the Wesley Foundation Grants Committee are due March 1, 2026. The Committee will render its decisions by May 1, 2026 and notify each requestor of the Committee’s decision. Those receiving grants are required to provide a brief Project Completion Report, including a project outcome summary and report of expenditures, within three (3) months of project completion.

For ease of completion, you may submit your application through this form, or transfer the topics on this Grant Application to a new document file. Please double check to be sure you have included all required items. There are three ways to submit your proposal. Choose one:

• Save your document as a pdf file and submit it by email

• Print and mail it via US Postal Service

• Complete the grant proposal online form