Self-Development of People (SDOP) is a mission program created in 1970 by the Presbyterian Church, USA to help alleviate poverty and oppression. The program seeks to provide grants and aid to organizations sponsoring projects and activities designed to eliminate the effects of injustice and powerlessness.
Self-Development of People of Central Virginia is a certified affiliate of the PC(USA) program and is supported by the collective churches of Presbytery of the James.
The program is rooted in the belief that the poor, oppressed and disadvantaged possess firsthand knowledge of the type of conditions poverty and powerlessness spawn, and a legitimate sense of what is needed to bring about effective change. Self-Development seeks to partner with organizations whose actions and achievements support these beliefs.
Through the years, community organizing has proven itself to be a successful strategy for empowering the disadvantaged and for that reason Self-Development of People focuses its grants on support for organizations. It is particularly concerned about self-development within communities of poor and oppressed peoples.
Members
Lamar Lockhart, moderator
Peggy Fox
Curtis Kearns
Renita Page
Shaunta'h Powell
Lori Purcell
Lauren Ramseur
Sharron Saunders
SDOP Grants
Grants from SDOP of POJ
Each year SDOP of Presbytery of the James awards up to $10,000 in grants to community organizations operating within the presbytery. The annual application deadline is November 1.
Grants from the National SDOP Program
Augmented funding is also available, in a separate application process, by applying to the National SDOP Program which offers grants of varying amounts up to $15,000. For more information on exploring the possibility of applying at the National SDOP Program, email Margaret.mwale@pcusa.org. Potential applicant groups are welcome to complete the optional one-page pre application, available through the link for “Applying for a National SDOP grant” and submitting it. Once received, the group will be contacted to discuss the feasibility of the proposed project.
Past SDOP of Central Virginia Grant Recipients and Projects
United to Empower - Empowering Young Leaders Program
Embrace Richmond - Brookland Park Young Leaders Project
Elevated Imagination Life Center
Stafford Junction - Helping Us Grow Strong (HUGS) kindergarten readiness program
Daily Planet - quality health services regardless of financial, housing or insurance status
Friends Association for Children - leadership and career advancement program
FIRST Contractors, Inc - picnic table project
Events
SDOP: People Investing in People
Learn about SDOP and its work on issues of poverty, injustice, and oppression.
August 17, 2024
10 a.m. to noon
Ettrick Public Library, 4501 River Rd, Petersburg, VA
November 19, 2024
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Central Library, 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd, Chesterfield, VA
Grant Workshops
Learn about funding grants from SDOP at workshops on July 24 and September 25. Discuss your grant project idea with an SDOP representative and get immediate feedback. Space is limited, so register early.
September 25, 2024
Three sessions
(11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.)
Presbytery of the James, 3218 Chamberlayne Ave, Richmond, VA
Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) celebrates SDOP Sunday in 2024 on March 10. Through SDOP, PC(USA) partners with low-income communities locally, nationally, and internationally to eradicate systemic poverty. Observe SDOP Sunday by sharing a Minute for Mission about SDOP, singing a SDOP hymn, and collecting an offering for SDOP.
View the SDOP Sunday Resource and Yearbook.
How You Can Help
Self-Development of People is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering and by individual donations from friends and supporters of the program.
