Support Our Mission

The supply and quality of gifted young leaders for the church is a growing concern for Christian faith communities nationwide. There is a pressing need to identify and invite capable, faithful young people to consider ministry as a profession—to refresh the ranks of a graying clergy and to reinvigorate congregations and communities with new energy, skills and perspectives. Such leadership renewal not only serves to revitalize the church—it is essential to the fabric of civic life and to the health of our society.

Church leaders also have significant concern about the lack of diversity in the theological academy. Though our society grows more diverse each day, more than one-third of North American theological schools report that they have no scholars of color on their faculties. Campuses, congregations and communities need leaders who reflect the diversity of those they serve—leaders who are capable of building relationships, new initiatives and mutual understanding.

With a focus on these goals, The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in pastoral ministry and theological scholarship. By providing fellowships and a network of support, FTE supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and theological scholars. Together with our partners, FTE leads an intentional effort to encourage young people of promise to explore a life of service to God’s world. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships to today’s leading ministers, teachers and scholars serving local churches, schools and communities with compassion and skill.

FTE helps to ensure that gifted young people who demonstrate the intellectual, interpersonal and leadership abilities for ministry consider serving God’s world as ordained ministers. And, we provide support to talented racial/ethnic doctoral students—traditionally underrepresented in the academy—who are the next generation of outstanding theological scholars and teachers. The Fund offers both the fellowships and support that make a positive response to these callings possible.