Atlanta, GA, April 17, 2018 — Today the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia (ECF) announces it will grant $88,875 to five organizations that are lifting people from poverty and oppression in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. The grants – which go into effect this month – will be made to Appleton Episcopal Ministries, Emmaus House, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church (Monroe), St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (Carrollton), and The Friendship Center of Atlanta at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church.
“Our purpose in the Diocese of Atlanta is to challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus,” said the Right Rev. Robert C. Wright, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. “With these extraordinary grants from ECF we are doing just that. Well done!”
ECF’s spring 2018 general grant recipients:
• Appleton Episcopal Ministries has received a grant of $33,874.50 to support outreach ministries in the Middle Georgia Convocation through the purchase of a 15-person van. This van will be utilized by programs at all parishes in the convocation, particularly the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Macon, Path to Shine afterschool programming, and other ministries with low-income students.
• Emmaus House has received a grant of $15,000 to support developing an extensive training program for the fellows of The Road Episcopal Service Corps to better equip them for ministry during their year of service, which will create a viable ministry leadership pipeline for future outreach ministries.
• The Friendship Center of Atlanta at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church has received a grant of $20,000 for start-up costs to offer a third program day at the Center. The Friendship Center has wanted to grow from two to three program days for many years, and its current need has grown as other nearby programs have closed down. This third program day not only allows for feeding program participants on a third day, but also to provide literacy and wellness programming for those who could not previously participate.
• St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Monroe has received a grant of $15,000 to purchase two hoop houses for the garden they maintain with the inmates at the Walton County jail. These hoop houses will create more yield from the garden, which supplies not only the jail’s kitchen but also the local free farmer’s market for the working poor, and also will extend the ability for the inmates and parishioners from St. Alban’s to garden when weather conditions are less than ideal.
ECF’s Q2 2018 Small Acts of Charity recipient:
• St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Carrollton has received a grant of $5,000 to start up their new Loads of Love laundry ministry with those in poverty in their local community. Through this ministry, the parishioners will visit local laundromats with both financial assistance and meals to help their West Georgia neighbors in need.
About ECF’s Grant Programs:
ECF awards General Grants twice a year and Small Acts of Charity (capped at $5,000) quarterly. Applications for the Q3 Small Acts of Charity are due June 15, 2018, and LOIs for Spring 2019 General Grants are due September 30, 2018. Those interested in applying for funding should visit ECFimpact.org/grants for information regarding both funding opportunities as well as links to the applications. Applicants are encouraged to contact Lindsey Hardegree with any questions they may have regarding eligibility or their applications.
About Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia :
Founded in 1982 as the Episcopal Charities Foundation, the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia (ECF) provides funding, leadership, and resources to enable Episcopal parishes and nonprofit partners to lift up people facing poverty and oppression and to achieve significant, long-lasting impact in the Diocese of Atlanta. Since its inception, ECF has donated more than $4.4 million to promote thriving and spiritually strong individuals, families, and communities locally. Learn more at ECFimpact.org.