The Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia (ECF) announced five grants totaling $84,400 to organizations that are working to end poverty and oppression.

The grants, announced Oct. 15, have been awarded to Crossroads Community Ministries in Atlanta (pictured), MUST Ministries in Marietta, Parole Advocates in Clarkesville, Rainbow Village in Duluth, and the partnership between St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and Emmaus House.

Since 1982, ECF has donated more than $6,079,000 to promote thriving and spiritually strong individuals, families, and communities. Episcopal parishes are partners in every ECF grant.

“Our grant process is not just about providing dollars, but about empowering our Episcopal parishes and their nonprofit partners to achieve significant, long-lasting impact together,” said Dr. Lindsey Hardegree, ECF’s executive director. “Passing the $6 million milestone demonstrates the extraordinary dedication of our faith communities to serve our neighbors in need.”

The fall 2026 grant recipients and Episcopal partners are:

• Crossroads Community Ministries, in partnership with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, received a $20,600 capital grant to renovate restrooms in their guest services area. As the final part of their facility updates, these improvements will offer a clean, safe, and welcoming space for unhoused neighbors. With almost no public restrooms nearby, these updated facilities restore basic dignity while helping Crossroads host partner groups offering healthcare, housing, and job support.
• MUST Ministries, in partnership with St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Marietta, received an $8,800 capital grant for two small electric pallet jacks for use in their food Donation Center & loading off-site at food pantries. This equipment safely fits onto box truck lifts, replacing oversized jacks that were too heavy to use efficiently. The new jacks allow staff and volunteers to unload millions of pounds of food quickly and safely for local families facing hunger. This grant was made possible through funds donated to the 2026 Hunger Walk Run.
• Parole Advocates, in partnership with Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville, received a $25,000 capacity-building grant for a consultant to aid in strategic planning and organizational development. The consultant will help the new nonprofit to set up leadership, goals, and legal advocacy programs as it hires its first executive director. This planning is critical to what Parole Advocates offer: pro bono legal help and re-entry support for elderly and medically fragile incarcerated individuals seeking parole.
• Rainbow Village, in partnership with Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross, received a $20,000 capital grant to renovate their community center to expand their adult learning space. By outfitting former daycare rooms with new technology and flexible furniture, Rainbow Village is creating classrooms for job training, financial coaching, and parenting workshops. These updated spaces support current families while preparing the campus to double its capacity and serve up to 300 people each year.
• The Food Outreach Shared Ministry, a partnership between St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and Emmaus House, received a $10,000 capacity-building grant to continue a grant awarded in 2025 for their new mobile food pantry partnership. This ministry relies on Emmaus House’s operational expertise, St. Paul’s dedicated volunteers, and a cargo van purchased with grant funds. With demonstrated success, this grant will continue in fall 2027. Emmaus House has been a place-based mission of the Diocese of Atlanta for the past 60 years by working to improve the economic and social well-being of the residents of Peoplestown and surrounding neighborhoods

About ECF’s Grant Program:

ECF awards grants twice a year to parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and their nonprofit partners. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact ECF staff before starting an application; visit ECFimpact.org/grants for details. Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the fall 2027 cycle are due March 31.

About ECF

ECF provides funding, leadership, and resources to enable Episcopal parishes and nonprofit partners to lift up people experiencing poverty and oppression and to achieve significant, long-lasting impact in the Diocese of Atlanta. Since its inception, ECF has donated more than $6 million to promote thriving and spiritually strong individuals, families, and communities locally. Learn more at ECFimpact.org.

ECF’s Connection to the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

ECF is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Created in 1907, the Diocese of Atlanta serves the cities, towns, and communities in Middle and North Georgia. Led by the Right Rev. Robert C. Wright, the diocese comprises 120 welcoming worship communities. Our purpose is to challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually. Learn more at episcopalatlanta.org.