SDOP provides community development grants aimed at empowering economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people. The grants, which are given to grassroots groups, are generally up to $20,000. SDOP's goal is to "enable Presbyterians to be partners in development so that others may grow with dignity."

The workshop will begin at 11 a.m. at the Kling Center located at 219 W. Ormsby Ave., and will last approximately two hours. Workshop participants will learn how the SDOP program works, what qualifies a group for funding, and how to apply for a grant. To reserve a place, call (502) 569-5783.

SDOP's grant recipients have ranged from small agricultural cooperatives in rural communities to tenants' rights organizations in large cities. In recent years, a Louisville group, Women in Transition, received a $20,000 award. The grant helped Women in Transition in its efforts to educate people about poverty, tear down stereotypes of people on welfare and partner with other groups to advocate for public policy changes.

Since its founding in 1970, SDOP has awarded approximately $31 million in grants to groups across the United States and $18 million in grants to groups in 68 foreign countries. SDOP's primary funding source is the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, which is collected by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other denominations during the Lenten and Easter seasons. SDOP is a ministry of the Louisville-based church's General Assembly Council.