Faith CRP Project Overview
The Faith Community Reinvestment Project is an initiative of the Tacoma Ministerial Alliance (TMA) designed to strengthen Black churches in Tacoma and Pierce County through targeted investments. TMA is a non-profit organization with deep roots in Washington and over forty years of service, providing programs to meet the growing needs of the community. Recognizing that Black churches are central to community well-being yet often under-resourced, TMA launched this comprehensive project to help congregations not only survive but thrive as centers of worship, community service, and neighborhood leadership. By combining investments in physical infrastructure, technology, and organizational development, the project equips churches to worship, serve, and lead more effectively in their neighborhoods, now and for future generations.
"This the apart of the fulfillment of the TMA Mission. To be a cultural hub! A collaborative organization where God would entrust us with resources, (People resources - transformational relationships and Financial resources - finances) that we would steward and distributed them into the faith community, with the intent of empowering them to do transformative work in community."
Bishop White | President of Tacoma Ministerial Alliance
Project Timeline
The Faith Community Reinvestment Project is Tacoma Ministerial Alliance’s comprehensive investment initiative for Black churches in Tacoma and Pierce County. By combining physical improvements, technology upgrades, and organizational development, the project equips congregations to worship, serve, and lead more effectively in their neighbourhoods—now and for future generations.
May 2025 | Program Design & Internal Infrastructure Building
June 2025 | Community Engagement & Application Launch
July 2025 | Evaluations & Technical Assistance
August 2025 | Selection, Agreements & Project Kickoff
September 2025 | Award Disbursement & Project Execution
October 2025 | Project Implementation & Completions
November 2025 | Tracking Impact & Ongoing Relationship Building
The Faith Community Reinvestment Project addresses three interconnected challenges facing Black churches in our region. By taking a holistic approach to congregational needs, we're creating sustainable foundations for community service & spiritual growth.
Evaluation & Completion Process
Step 1 - Open Application
Application opened with eligibility and funding options. Churches filed proposals that included scope, budget, timeline. On time submissions advanced to July 2025 panel review.
Step 2 – Evaluation
Reviewers scored independently using 100‑point, loan specific rubrics. Average scores set determined: full, partial, conditional, or none. Conflicts required recusal; brief notes documented basis for each score.
Step 3 – Project Managers Assigned
Each awardee was paired with a TMA Project Manager. PMs held orientations, confirmed scopes, set cadence, and outlined procurement and reimbursement so churches could mobilize quickly and stay aligned to scope.
Step 4 – Contracts Signed & Work Begins
Contracts set scope, budget, milestones. Work began with vendor selection, quotes, eligibility, and purchase orders. PMs sequenced tasks and tracked early milestones like contract execution and first buys.
Step 5 – Technical Assistances & Guidance
PMs provided hands‑on assistance—troubleshooting documentation, vendor changes, permits, and scheduling. Dashboards and check‑ins kept work on pace and reduced administrative bottlenecks.
Step 6 – Reimbursements
Reimbursements and third‑party payments were processed on a rolling basis after validation. Packages included receipts, proof of payment, and, when needed, photos or confirmations. Records were centralized.
Step 7 – Wrap Up
At completion, PMs verified deliverables, closed remaining purchases, and ran compliance checks. TMA documented lessons learned, approved scope changes, and prepared each church for closeout.
Step 8 – Impact & Follow Up
Post‑closeout, TMA gathered outcomes, quotes, and metrics for storytelling, scheduled debriefs, and identified capacity needs. Churches were invited to office hours and peer learning to sustain impact.
IMPACT
13
# Of Unique Churches
$362,000+
Total Investment
1
Digital Divide
Bridging technology gaps through equipment, broadband, websites, computer labs, and digital literacy training across age groups.
  • Churches Awarded: 10
  • Total Investment: $185,000+
2
Restoring the Temple
Revitalizing facilities through infrastructure improvements that make buildings safe, efficient, and accessible.
  • Churches Awarded: 9
  • Total Investment: $143,000+
3
Community Capacity
Strengthening organizational foundations through training, coaching, policy development, and strategic planning.
  • Churches Awarded: 2
  • Total Investment: $34,000+
Participating Churches
The Faith Community Reinvestment Project has reached 13 Black churches across Tacoma and Pierce County, representing diverse denominations, sizes, and neighborhood contexts. Each congregation brings unique strengths and serves distinct community needs, but all share a commitment to spiritual nurture and community service.
  • New Salem Church
  • Mount Calvary Baptist Church
  • Living Word Christian Church
  • King Of Glory Pentecostal Assembly
  • Greater Christ Temple Church
  • Deliverance House of Prayer
  • New Life Church
  • Shiloh Baptist Church
  • Harvest Church
  • Eastside Baptist Church
  • Brotherhood Church of God
  • Bethlehem Baptist Church
  • Church of the Living God
Churches By Location
Restoring the Temple Overview
Black churches in Tacoma and Pierce County serve as crucial community anchors but often struggle with aging, deteriorating facilities. These congregations provide far more than weekly worship – their buildings host community meals, shelter families in crisis, run after-school programs, and more. Yet many historically Black churches have faced decades of under-investment, leaving them with leaky roofs, outdated heating systems, inadequate disability access, and security concerns. The Tacoma Ministerial Alliance (TMA) recognized this critical need and launched the Faith Community Reinvestment Project as a comprehensive initiative to support Black churches. Under this project, the Restoring the Temple loan was created to fund essential upgrades – from repairing roofs and installing ramps to modernizing HVAC and safety systems – ensuring these sacred spaces remain safe, resilient, and fully welcoming to all. This program empowers Black churches to better serve their neighborhoods for generations to come by providing the facilities they need to continue their outreach and ministry without barriers.
In 2025, TMA awarded Restoring the Temple loan to nine Black churches across Tacoma and Pierce County, each supporting a critical capital improvement project. This provided funding for a range of facility upgrades tailored to each church’s needs. For example, some congregations repaired aging roofs and furnaces, while others installed ADA-compliant ramps, remodeled kitchens, or added modern security systems and emergency equipment. All of these projects focused on physical improvements that make church campuses more durable, energy-efficient, and accessible.
The funded projects fell into six main categories of building improvements. The table below summarizes the type of support that was provided:
Digital Divide Overview
Historically Black congregations in Tacoma and Pierce County have faced underinvestment in technology, leaving them with outdated equipment and limited digital access. The Digital Divide loan was designed to close this gap, recognizing that technology is now essential for effective ministry and outreach. Black churches often serve communities where the lack of broadband access and modern tech can exacerbate isolation, especially for seniors and those unable to attend in person, and hinder engagement of younger generations. Without support, many Black-led churches risked falling behind in a rapidly digital era, limiting their reach and community impact. This initiative specifically uplifted Black churches to modernize their technological infrastructure, expand their digital presence, and enhance community engagement, bridging a growing digital divide that otherwise leads to “isolation, disconnection, and a feeling of diminished relevance” for those unable to keep pace. By investing in these congregations, the loans empowered trusted neighborhood institutions to better serve their members and meet community needs in the digital age.
Through the Faith Community Reinvestment Project, TMA provided Black churches with funding and technical assistance to upgrade vital technology and skills. The Digital Divide loans supplied everything from hardware to training resources. Churches received new live-stream cameras, sound systems, and computers to improve worship broadcast quality and in-person audio/visual experiences. Many loans also covered broadband enhancements and modern websites, enabling congregations to launch or upgrade websites and social media outreach for greater visibility. Several ministries started computer labs and digital literacy classes, with funds for equipment and instructors to teach essential tech skills across generations. Others obtained software like church management apps and communication tools to streamline operations. In every case, the support was geared toward helping churches better connect with their congregants and the broader community. By equipping congregations with media technology, internet access, and training, TMA’s initiative ensured that homebound elders could watch services online, youth could engage with technology programs, and overall church outreach could extend beyond the four walls. The intention was not only to provide gadgets, but to build lasting capacity – empowering these churches to continue worship and community ministry in a future-ready way.
This project addressed a range of needs that emerged clearly across the awarded applications. The table below summarizes the type of support that was provided:
Community Capacity Overview
Black churches in Tacoma and Pierce County have historically served as pillars of support for African American communities, providing spiritual guidance alongside social services. This loan was essential for local Black churches because it provided targeted investment in their leadership and organizational capacity – enabling them to strengthen governance, improve operations, and enhance outreach ministries. By bolstering the internal capacity of these churches, the award empowered them to worship, serve, and lead more effectively in their neighborhoods for the long term. In short, the Community Capacity Award directly responded to the critical need for reinvestment in Black faith institutions, equipping them to continue their vital role in uplifting predominantly African American communities.
Through the Community Capacity Award, TMA provided each selected church with a package of financial support and capacity-building resources. Rather than simply a donation, the award was designed as a comprehensive boost to the churches’ effectiveness. Funding was coupled with structured training and development assistance: the loan specifically supports initiatives like board development, leadership coaching, human resources policy improvement, and financial management training. These elements help church leaders modernize their operations and adopt best practices in governance and administration. In partnership with Impact Centers, TMA also connectedawardees to additional professional development opportunities to expand their community services. This included training to offer new programs in job readiness, digital literacy, legal assistance, and financial literacy – all areas that can greatly benefit congregants and neighbors.
Of the churches that received the Community Capacity loan, they utilized it to address multiple capacity needs in their ministry projects. The table below summarizes how the funded projects were categorized across six key focus areas:
What’s Next?
A Continued Commitment to Our Communities
This funding has positioned the TMA to make a strategic investment into community revitalization, advance affordable housing development for low income first time home buyers and expand impactful programs aimed to support the community impact. With all the investments made, TMA estimates the impact will touch over 2500 pierce county residents over the next 3 years.
As we look ahead, the TMA will continue to actively pursue new funding streams, partnerships, and grant opportunities that align with our vision of meeting both the spiritual and practical needs of the people we serve. Our goal is to remain a consistent source and trusted resource for churches, families, and neighborhoods throughout our region.
We will explore local, state, federal, and philanthropic funding avenues that support community revitalization, housing stability, digital equity, youth development, and the long-term sustainability of our ministries. By leveraging the success of the Faith Community Loan Program, we have demonstrated our capacity to steward resources with integrity, transparency, and measurable outcomes, positioning us for even greater opportunities.
The TMA is committed to building programs that equip leaders, strengthen congregations, and transform communities. We will continue to expand our footprint as a hub for support, capacity-building, and collaborative action.
This next chapter will be marked by innovation, partnership, and faithful stewardship as we pursue funding that pours back into the communities we are called to serve.
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