People of God in Southern Ohio,
Episcopal Community Ministries (ECM), the outreach arm of our diocese, offers grants to support the work of congregation-affiliated outreach ministries including efforts like food banks, community gardens, community meals, tutoring programs, human trafficking victim support services, and medical debt relief. ECM desires to support our congregations that support their neighbors as reflected in ECM’s purpose statement:
The mission of the Episcopal Community Ministries is to inspire and support each other in the living out of our Baptismal Covenant through active, generous, and committed congregations and their outward looking ministries.
The ECM Committee is pleased to announce the dates of the two grant cycles for 2025. The first round begins today, March 1 and ends on March 31. The second round begins June 1 and ends on June 30.
Successful grant applications reflect the following criteria:
- There is a congregational commitment – the requesting congregation must demonstrate committed and impactful support of the ministry both financially and through the active and significant participation of its parishioners.
- The congregation is in good standing as determined by diocesan canons This includes being current in mission share contributions and having up‐to‐date submissions of the Parochial Report, DSO Annual Report, and the parish audit.
- The ministry addresses a vital need in the community.
ECM grants are funded by an annual draw from the Blanchard Memorial Endowment Fund established by the trustees of the diocese and by donations from congregations and individuals. Every dollar donated to ECM goes to local church outreach ministries helping their neighbors in need.
To apply for a grant, learn more about the grant criteria, and learn more about the ministry of ECM, please visit our website.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Michael Ralph
Chair, Episcopal Community Ministries Grant Committee
Associate Rector, Southeast Ohio Four-Point Collaboration (St. Paul’s, Chillicothe; St. Philip’s, Circleville; St. John’s, Lancaster; St. Paul’s, Logan)
Other members of our committee include:
Lily Balukjian-Thompson – St. John’s, Worthington
Judy Battle – St. Margaret’s, Trotwood
The Rev. Dan Carlson – Church of the Advent, Walnut Hills
Rae Fellows – St. Stephen’s, Columbus
The Rev. Derrick Fetz, Staff Liaison
The Rev. Gene Hallahan – Christ Church, Ironton
Canon Julie Murray, Staff Liaison
Jane Paraskevopoulos – Calvary, Clifton
Andi Wright – Epiphany, Nelsonville
