Outreach

Downing Trust

History
Lewis Downing was one of the original members of our church and was perhaps most well known as a manufacturer of the highly popular “Concord Coach”. He was a respected member of our community in the 19th century and the Concord Monitor stated upon his retirement in 1864: 

“Mr. Downing, Senior, retires from business, after active participation in it for nearly 52 years, and we think we express the general sentiment of the community when we say that during that time, his integrity having never been questioned, he is entitled to be called Concord’s best benefactor.” Today, 130 years after his death in 1873, Lewis Downing, through his generous legacy, is still a benefactor to our church as well as other UU churches in New Hampshire.

Available Grants
Each year, in accordance with his will, a committee of our church receives approximately $10,000 to $20,000 from the Lewis Downing Trust. Only $2000 of this money can go to our church to use as we see fit. The remainder of the money is awarded to

• minister(s) at large to conduct sermons preaching “liberal Christianity” to “strengthen the societies of the Unitarian faith in New Hampshire” and
  
  
• congregational projects such as special programs, guest preachers, advertising campaigns, or capital projects relating to accessibility, to make a church more effective to its members and the community.

The Second Congregational Society Unitarian Universalist of Concord is very happy to administer the annual distribution from the Lewis Downing Trust. It is a wonderful example of a legacy gift by a congregation member that lives far beyond his time.

How to Apply

Ministers:
Please submit a packet that includes the following:

• A resume of your education and experience
• A sample sermon
• A description of how you intend to use the grant that addresses the following:
  • Who is your proposed audience
  • How often will you preach
  • Where will you minister, and how will you arrange this
  • A summary of your message
  • Time period - the grant allows for flexibility

Churches:
All proposals shall be made in writing and be signed by three members of the official board of the society. Proposals must include:

• Adequate description of the project, venture or program for which grant aid
  will be used.
• An estimate of the full cost of the project.
• Most recent report of the Treasurer of the society.
• Amount requested from the Downing Trust for the next fiscal year of the
  society.
• The society’s plan for raising money for the project.

More information about the Downing Trust Grants for Churchs: Lewis Downing Trust Procedures (PDF)

Submit your proposal no later than March 1, 2010, to

Downing Grant
Unitarian Universalist Church
274 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301

The grant will be awarded and applicants will be notified by April 30, 2009. The recipient must submit an activity report no later than March 1, 2010.

For more information about the Downing Trust Grants for Churchs: Lewis Downing Trust Procedures (PDF)

Recent Lewis Downing Trust Awards
The annual distribution of the Trust has been administered by the Second Congregational Society Unitarian Universalist for many years and all the proceeds (except $2000 per year granted to the Concord Society) must be awarded to other UU Churches in NH. These grants are awarded in two broad categories:

• The “Ministry” grants allow qualified applicants to provide their services to NH UU Churches in both traditional and innovative UU ministries.
• The “Project” grants are generally used to improve access, comply with building code, and repair NH UU Churches.

Here is a summary of the grants made possible by the Lewis Downing Trust to benefit the UU Churches of NH since 1999 totaling over $178,000.

2009

Some additional information on Lewis Downing and Concord Coaches: Lewis Downing's Last Will and Testament (pdf file) www.johnjhenderson.com/Notables/Biographies/lewis_downing.htm A good history of Lewis Downing. ohtm.org/1849concord.html General information on the coaches. www.over-land.com/ccoach.html Description of coach building techniques. www.maineantiquedigest.com/articles/coch0500.htm  Great colored picture of a Concord coach, and recent (2000) auction of coaches.