Second Fruits
“The gifts Christ gave…were to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ….” Ephesians 4:11-12
About Second Fruits
Second Fruits is a new Rocky Mountain Synod initiative that reimagines gifted resources for today’s ministry context and the future church. These funds come from property sales, capital campaigns, holy closure gifts, legacy gifts, existing funds, and remaining grant resources. Rather than simply saving these resources or spending them all at once, Second Fruits takes a sustainable approach: honoring the spirit of the original gifts while investing in congregations, leaders, ministries, and new models for mission across the synod.
The Second Fruits Fund of the Rocky Mountain Synod was established by the Synod Assembly in 2026. The Fund will steward proceeds from the sale of property donated to the synod, donations by congregations that have concluded their own ministries, remaining funds from the RMS Next Faithful Steps Campaign and Seminary Scholarship Fund, legacy gifts and congregational gift tithes, and the remaining funds from the 3E Lilly Grant. The initial amount in the Second Fruits Fund was approximately $1.97 million. Some of these funds will be utilized to offset relevant costs in the annual budget of the Rocky Mountain Synod. The goal of the Second Fruits Grants is to disburse the remainder of the principal of the Second Fruits Fund within 5 years. Each year will consist of 2 granting cycles. The first granting cycle may disburse larger amounts, depending on merit.
The Second Fruits Fund of the Rocky Mountain Synod was established by the Synod Assembly in 2026. The Fund will steward proceeds from the sale of property donated to the synod, donations by congregations that have concluded their own ministries, remaining funds from the RMS Next Faithful Steps Campaign and Seminary Scholarship Fund, legacy gifts and congregational gift tithes, and the remaining funds from the 3E Lilly Grant. The initial amount in the Second Fruits Fund was approximately $1.97 million. Some of these funds will be utilized to offset relevant costs in the annual budget of the Rocky Mountain Synod. The goal of the Second Fruits Grants is to disburse the remainder of the principal of the Second Fruits Fund within 5 years. Each year will consist of 2 granting cycles. The first granting cycle may disburse larger amounts, depending on merit.
Grant categories and annual disbursements are as follows:
Grant Process
The Synod Council is responsible for the distribution of all funds. It has established a Second Fruits Discernment Committee to recommend grant recipients to the Council, which will have final approval. The Second Fruits Discernment Committee will be overseen by the Synod Council and will give regular reports.
Grant Applications OPEN now through August 15, 2026
Get in Touch
Do you have questions about Second Fruits? Fill out the form below and Pastor Chris Davis, Synod Minister for Generosity, will reach out to you. You may also email Pastor Chris Davis in the Office of the Bishop at cdavis@rmselca.org or 303-970-0243.
Second Fruits Stories
Stay tuned for how the Second Fruits Grants are impacting the Rocky Mountain Synod.
Second Fruit Stories (Coming Soon)
