Self-Development of People

Self-Development of People is a ministry that affirms God’s concern for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling. We participate in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression and injustice.

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies maintains its own Self Development of People Committee.

The region of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies covers a wide area of the upper Midwest.

Self Development of People (SDOP) Core Strategies

  • Promote Justice
  • Build stronger communities
  • Seek economic equity

Criteria for Validation (comprehensive information is available on the application form):

  • Be presented, owned, and controlled by the group of economically poor people who will benefit directly from it.
  • Address long-term correction of conditions that keep people bound by poverty and oppression. This will utilize some combination of the SDOP core strategies.
  • Be sensitive to the environment while accomplishing its goals and objectives.
  • Not advocate violence as a means of accomplishing its goals and objectives.
  • Describe the goals, objectives, and the way direct beneficiaries will be involved in all stages of the project
  • Describe what methods will be used to achieve the goals and objectives.
  • Describe the resources known to be available for support.
  • Balanced income and expenditure budget and a financial plan.
  • Evaluation plan which includes an evaluation of progress towards the goals and objectives.

If you believe your organization qualifies for funding, we invite you to contact Synod Executive Elona Street-Stewart.

Applications are due on July 15 each year.

Please click the button below to download a copy of the application. You may save the application to  your computer to complete it or print it and complete it by hand.