Grants

There are many grant opportunities for parishes to explore. These are a few available to all parishes.

Diocesan Grants

Congregational Renewal Grants

Each year the Diocese of Bethlehem awards grants to congregations that need short-term assistance to meet their goals.  These congregations may be new congregations; established parishes that demonstrate a vision and mission for new ministry or outreach; are in a transition; or, are addressing unique or an emerging need in their community. The Grants Committee, while providing for financial support for both old and new congregations, focuses on encouraging planning as well as on exploring new models for ministry. You can download the information and grant application form here.

New Hope

The Diocese of Bethlehem grants funds primarily through the New Hope Campaign. One quarter of the funds raised are dedicated to new ministry in Northeast Pennsylvania. For more information on the New Hope Campaign program in Northeast Pennyslvaina please see that of the web site here.

The New Hope Grants Committee is now ready to receive and consider requests for disbursements from the New Hope Campaign.  The total amount we are able to grant for the 2012-13 calendar year is $70,000.  This is the last year of major grants. Therefore, we are inviting Letters of Intent from parishes and Episcopal-related organizations within the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem.  The Deadline for Letters of Intent is now closed.

The Committee members are The Rev. Elizabeth Miller, The Rev. Christ Sutton, The Rev. Larry Holman, The Archdeacon, Mr. Charlie Barebo, the bishops, and myself.

The Letter of Intent should contain:

• The Mission Statement of the parish/organization
• A summary of the proposal including a brief project description
• An outline of the focus and scope (who will be served?)
• Amount to be requested from the SMC (one time or multi-year request)
• Partner churches, agencies, organizations, etc., if any
• Project start date
• Name, e-mail and day and evening telephone number of contact person(s).

Letters of Intent should be sent to The Rev’d Daniel C. Gunn, St. Stephen’s Pro-cathedral, 35 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA  18701 or emailed to dgunn@ststephenswb.org with “Social Ministry Application” in the subject line.

A member of the Grants Committee will be in contact soon thereafter.  These Letters are preliminary proposals and will be considered in the order in which they are received.  Applications will be sent after the initial contact.

Talbot Hall Fund

Funds are granted once a year in the Fall with the maximum grant being $5,000.00. Monies may be drawn as needed during the funding year upon our receipt of authorized vouchers. 

Our unrestricted grants are for programs which are not part of the on-going maintenance or operation of the organization. We are interested in pilot programs which have the potential to become self-sufficient and in collaborative projects between organizations.

Although we would like to fund every organization which meets our guidelines, the limited money available for grants makes it impossible to do so. For complete instructions and information please see our Talbot Hall Fund page.

Other Grant Opportunities

Bible & Common Prayer Book Society of the Episcopal Church

This society donates Bibles, Prayer Books and Hymnals on the Bishop's endorsement.

Send your application via the Bishop to:

Mr. David Henritzy
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Call 800.334.7626 for more information or an application.

Bishop White Parish Library Association

This association provides money for book grants to parish libraries and clergy.

For more information or an application write to:

Bishop White Parish Library Association
The Rev. B.L. Maguire III
224 Flourtown Rd.
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

or call 215.825.5959.

The Constable Fund

[October 11, 2012] There is still time for congregations, dioceses, organizations, institutions and others to apply for the Episcopal Church Constable Fund Grants for the 2012-2013 grant cycle. 

Anne Watkins, Executive Council member from the Diocese of Connecticut and current chair of the Constable Fund Grant Review Committee, noted that the deadline for applications is January 2013, “and that’s really right around the corner.”

The Constable Fund provides grants to fund mission initiatives that were not provided for within the budget of the Episcopal Church General Convention/Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS).

Recently, the Episcopal Church Constable Fund Grant Review Committee announced a new cycle and process for Constable Fund Grants.  A Constable Grant Management task force was constituted by the Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Governance and Mission (EC-GAM) which made subsequent recommendations resulting in the establishment of the Executive Council Constable Fund Grant Review Committee.  That committee was charged with promoting the fund and widening its access to more of the Church. 

As stated in the guidelines: “All applications for the 2013 cycle will come from either (1) a programmatic office of the DFMS, (2) one of the General Convention CCABs, (committee commission agency or board) or (3) one of the Provinces of the Episcopal Church.  A maximum of one proposal per programmatic office of the DFMS, one proposal per CCAB, and one proposal per Province, will be considered.  Dioceses or individuals within a diocese should submit their proposals through their Provincial structure with final submission coming through the recommendation of the Provincial Synod, Provincial Officers or Executive Committee, or other corollary structure within the Province.”

Named for Miss Constable
The Constable Grants were named for Miss Mary Louise Constable, who was a visionary philanthropist.  Watkins pointed out, “Hers is an example of faithful witness and generosity in response to an obviously mature and deep understanding of herself as both a disciple of Jesus Christ and as a steward of the blessings bestowed upon her by God.”

In 1935, in the midst of economic catastrophe known as the Great Depression, Miss Constable made a monetary gift to the Episcopal Church to establish the Constable Fund.  Her desire and intent to add periodically to the fund during her lifetime was realized and culminated with a very generous final gift at the time of her death in 1951.

Watkins further explained, “Stipulations for use of the fund were also visionary and generous, recognizing in and trusting those who came after her to comply with her wishes while allowing them flexibility in order to carry the mission of God through God’s Church forward into new eras.”

The language of Miss Constable’s will states that the fund exists “in perpetuity … to apply the net income for the purposes of the Society, preferably for the work in religious education not provided for within the Society’s budget.”

“It is the desire of the Executive Council Constable Fund Review Committee that Miss Constable’s example of stewardship, generosity, flexibility, and creativity be values that continue to be honored,” Watkins concluded.

Specific guidelines, suggestions, application form and timetable are available here or http://generalconvention.org/ec

Episcopal Appalachian Ministries Grants

The deadline has been extended for the fall grants in 2012.  The new deadline for 2012 is November 15th.

The EAM Small Grants program is intended to help ministries of Appalachian Dioceses with one-time start-up costs for either new ministries or new programs,

Appalachian Initiatives Grants Guidelines

Size of Grants: Grants usually range in size from $500 to $2,000.

Eligibility:

· Grants are made to diocesan, parish, or community-based organizations that are within the member dioceses of Episcopal Appalachian Ministries.

· Organizations or individuals applying for grants must have a clear connection and/or relationship to the Episcopal Church. 

· These organizations must serve communities in the Appalachian region or urban Appalachian communities outside the region.

Criteria:

· Appalachian Initiative Grants are intended to be used as seed money for ministries and organizations to seize opportunities of a one-time nature and project start-up costs.

· Grants must be for a specific ministry, project or program.

· Successful grant requests would typically be for purchasing specific items (e.g., computer equipment, building supplies, etc.)

· Consideration will be given to projects that involve awarding “scholarships” to participants of programs if the money is being used specifically for those scholarships. 

· Requests for money to supplement or cover regular operating expenses such as salaries, will not be awarded.  Money for “matching grants” will not be awarded.

· Successful applications will usually involve helping Appalachians address regional issues such as poverty, literacy, health care, unemployment, education, cultural affirmation, or the environment through direct service. 

Application Process

· Applications must be submitted through the local diocese office and be approved and endorsed by the bishop of the diocese. (The bishop of the diocese may appoint a committee for this process at his or her discretion)

· Each diocese will prioritize the applications received to submit to the EAM Small Grants Selection Committee by the deadlines.

· Each member diocese will then be allowed to submit up to 2 applications for each grant period (spring and fall, 4 total for the year).

Application Deadlines:

· Applications will be accepted at any time during the year. 

· The Grants Committee typically meets in April and October. 

·  Usual project start times are July 1 or January 1.  Exceptions will be considered. 

·  Applications for April consideration are due from the diocese to the EAM office by February 28th. 

·  Applications for October consideration are due from the diocese to the EAM office by August 31st. (Extended to November 15 for 2012)

To download an application click here:  

Grant Application

or email: episcopalappministries@gmail.com to request an application.

Episcopal Church Building Fund - Microloans

The ECBF is offering a special micro loan for parishes that are making strategic changes to their facilities so they can leverage opportunities for revenue generation, with a goal of financial self-sustainability. Examples include relining a church parking lot to make it available for lease, refurbishing of a parish hall for rental, removing church pews to enable mixed use of the worship space, or bringing a kitchen up to code for commercial purposes.

The Building Fund has initially set aside $100,000 for this purpose, to be loaned at a special reduced rate of 3%, less than half the usual interest rate. The origination fee will also be waived.  As with all ECBF loans, these are non-mortgage funds, at a fixed rate of interest, with a term up to 15 years, and no pre-payment penalty fee. 

Applications with an emphasis on developing creative ways to further a congregation's mission, better integrate into their community, and develop financial sustainability will be given priority. For more information contact the ECBF or submit an application.

The application can be mailed to:

Julia Groom-Thompson
President, Episcopal Church Building Fund
583 Southlake Blvd., Suite A
Richmond, VA 23226

- OR -

E-mail to directly to Julia Groom-Thompson

The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church

The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church invites applications from individual scholars and academic and ecclesiastical groups for grants to support significant research, conferences, and publications relating to the history of the Church of England, the Anglican communion worldwide, and the Anglican and Episcopal churches in North America. These grants are usually modest in amount: $1000-$2000 generally, though more or less may be awarded depending on the number of awards given and the amount of funds actually available in any particular year. Typical grants would include travel to collections or resources, dissertation research, and seed money for larger projects.

Applications must include:

• A statement of the subject and purpose of the project of no more than 500 words
• A bibliography of the project, no more than a single page
• A concise curriculum vitae
• A projected total budget for the project and the specific amount requested (with a detailed statement of how it will be used).  If this is less than the total budget, it must be made clear how a small grant would help and what other resources are available or being pursued
• At least two letters of recommendation (in the case of a graduate student, we expect that one of those letters will be from the project's main supervising professor)
• A sample of recent scholarly writing (an article, essay, or chapter of no more than ten pages)

Our preference is that application materials be sent by email in .pdf format to the Rev. Craig D. Townsend, Historical Society Grants and Research Committee, at:  ctownsend@stjames.org.

Materials may be submitted to Mr. Townsend in hard copy if necessary at the following address:

St. James' Church
865 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021

Grants will be announced July 2012. It is expected that winners will make an appropriate submission to Anglican and Episcopal History.

Jubilee Ministry Grants

Applications for 2012 Jubilee Ministry grants are now being accepted in two categories: diocesan initiatives and health and nutrition.

Jubilee Ministries are congregations or agencies with connections to the Episcopal Church whose mission work affect the lives of those in need, addressing basic human needs and justice issues. Grants to Jubilee ministries are awarded annually.

All application forms are available here or  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/2012-jubilee-ministry-grants

Categories, deadlines, amounts and explanation:

Funding diocesan initiatives: due December 1; $1,000 grants to support Jubilee Ministry development plans of the local bishop and the appointed diocesan jubilee officer (dioceses can receive one grant).

Health and nutrition: due December 1; $750 grants for Jubilee Ministries that respond to the nutritional needs of people living in “food deserts,” defined as those communities in which residents have no easy access to fresh produce, and must rely on convenience stores or fast-food restaurants to provide their meals.

For guidelines, additional information, and to apply for any of the grants here or  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/2012-jubilee-ministry-grants

For more information contact Angeline Cabanban, acabanban@episcopalchurch.org. 

Margaret Coffin Prayer Book Society

This society provides free Prayer Books & Hymnals on request with Bishop's endorsement. Priority goes to missions and institutions; parishes are granted assistance only in emergencies.

Send application via the Bishop to:

The Rev. R.W. Golledge
Box 816
Hampton, NH 03843-0816

Roanridge Trust Grant

Roanridge Trust Award Grants, awarded annually for new and creative models for leadership development in small communities across the Episcopal Church.

Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal related organizations and institutions are invited to apply for the grants which generally range from $5000 to $20,000. 

“The Roanridge Trust Award Grants assist new creative ministry approaches in rural settings,” explained the Rev. Bob Honeychurch, Episcopal Church Missioner for Congregational Vitality. “The funds will seed new possibilities of ministry.”

For more information, application and instructions in English and Spanish here or  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/roanridge

Previous recipients are eligible to apply, although Honeychurch added that priority is given to new applications.

Application deadline is September 1.

The Roanridge Trust was established by the Cochel family, who originally gave a working farm in Missouri called Roan ridge to the Episcopal Church. The interest from the sale of the farm generates the grant funds.

For more info on Roanridge Trust here or http://www.episcopalchurch.org/roanridge

Questions about the Roanridge Trust and the application process can be addressed to Honeychurch at bhoneychurch@episcopalchurch.org

Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania (a.k.a. the Long Name Society)

Provides assistance for a variety of needs. Appropriations have been made for repairs and installation of heating systems, roof and spouting repairs, driveways and parking lot repaving, carpeting, overdue bills, rectory repairs electrical improvements, etc.

Grants made in January, May and October. Deadlines for applications to be in the Diocesan Office are December 15, April 15 and September 15.

To apply: Send letter of request stating your need in detail along with an appraisal of the present work and a copy of your recent parochial report. Must have approval of the Bishop.

Send application via the Bishop to:

Karin King
3430 Arabian Drive
Jackson, WY 83001
advancementsociety@yahoo.com
or call 307-733-2644

Stoller Foundation

United Thank Offering

The United Thank Offering supports programs that address compelling human needs by supporting the alleviation of poverty, both domestically and internationally, within the Anglican provinces, dioceses, and companion dioceses.

The United Thank Offering supports projects:

• That address poverty of women and children
• That make significant impact
• That demonstrate new and innovative work

The United Thank Offering will not fund:

• Capital fund campaigns or debt reductions
• Deferred maintenance
• Operational budgets, meaning the proposed budget and program is the same as the year before
• Debts obligated or incurred before the date of the grant award
• Purchase of consumable items (e.g., food, medicine, paper goods, toiletries, fuel, etc.)
• Scholarships, tuition, camp fees, and attendance incentives
• Emergency response

In Episcopal dioceses within the United States, the United Thank Offering will not fund:

• Previously funded requests
• Capital improvements that do not expand capacity to meet compelling human need or mission and ministry need in disadvantaged situations
• Programs regarded to be diocesan operating budgets

Applications become available in October of each year. Contact UTO for an application form. The diocese may only submit 2 requests per year, so the applications will go through a diocesan screening committee. Applications are due to the screening committee by late December (exact date will be published each year). The chosen applications will then be submitted to the bishop by early January as they require the bishop's recommendation.