Contact: Sarah Gallagher, 615-478-3763

NASHVILLE, June. 20, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- In the first season of grant-giving for the 2012 year, Giving of Life, the Web-based grant initiative, awarded more than $140,000 to 14 ministries. These grants were made possible by new donor partnerships in addition to Giving of Life funding.

This year, grant awards are divided into three seasons throughout the year. In the first season, nearly 300 ministries applied in 14 categories. The Top 5 ministries in votes in each category were considered by the donors and Giving of Life founders and then one ministry in each category received a $10,000 grant. Since its inception last June, Giving of Life has given away more than $257,000.

In addition to awarding these grants, Giving of Life sent two individuals abroad to serve with a ministry of their choice as a part of a video contest held in March. One winner visited Christian Skaters International and another visited Heartline in Haiti, the ministry which was the recipient of a $50,000 Giving of Life grant in 2011. Giving of Life will be having more contests in the future in addition to their grant-giving seasons.

Today, the Giving of Life projects went live. In the Projects season, every participating ministry has the opportunity to receive financial support. The Top 50 ministries in votes at the end of the season will receive up to a $1,000 matching grant on top of other direct donations given by supporters. For the first time, as individuals give financial support to a ministry, they simultaneously give extra votes to that ministry. You can find out more by visiting GivingOfLife.com.

Any 501c3 ministry with an annual budget of $4 million or less may apply. Individuals who do not belong to an eligible ministry but would like to support ministries with donations and/or votes are encouraged to browse the projects. All donations to Giving of Life -- over $250 -- are tax deductible.

Though not all ministries receive grants, each receives exposure and promotion through social media outlets, creating the potential for new relationships, partnerships and networking opportunities.

In other exciting news, Giving of Life would like to welcome their newest team member, David Kiggins, founder of LoveHopeRevolution. David will be serving as the Director of Business Development for Giving of Life, combining the work of LHR with that of Giving of Life while sharing the vision to be a resource and place of encouragement for ministries leaders and life givers around the world.

To learn more about Giving of Life, apply for a grant, vote for your favorite ministry, or give a gift, visit GivingOfLife.com. To schedule an interview with the Giving of Life founders, contact Sarah Gallagher at 508-591-5433 or sarah.gallagher@givingoflife.com.