Native American Ministries Sunday is one of the six church wide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. Native American Ministries Sunday recognizes and supports the contributions of Native Americans to church and society. Native American Ministries Sunday is celebrated with a special offering on the Third Sunday of Easter. The funds allow The United Methodist Church to collaborate with existing Native American ministries and create programs on behalf of Native Americans. Money collected also supports seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans. Fifty percent of the offering remains in the annual conference to develop and strengthen local Native American ministries. Should no such ministries exist within the conference, the offering is remitted in full to the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). The funds are then distributed equally between the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry to provide scholarships for Native Americans attending the church's schools of theology and the Native American Urban Initiative of the General Board of Global Ministries. Approximately 22,310 United Methodists identify themselves as Native American.