Episcopal Community Ministries (ECM), a major source of grants within the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, awarded 16 grants at its August meeting.
ECM is a major source of grants for congregational ministries working to transform communities throughout Southern Ohio addressing systemic issues of education, hunger, homelessness, health, and social justice. Their mission is to inspire and support one another in the living out of our Baptismal Covenant through active, generous, and committed congregations and their outward-looking ministries. ECM grants are funded by an annual draw from the Blanchard Memorial Endowment Fund and donations.
Grants are considered and given biannually. The next opportunity to apply will open in January for consideration and funding in February. Learn more about ECM and their granting opportunities on our website.
Recipients of the 2024 Mid-Year Episcopal Communities Ministries Grants, totaling $51,600:
- Church of the Advent, Cincinnati – Free Fridge, $2,500
Funds signage and a locally-commissioned mural to instill dignity and pride for neighbors who utilize the fridge, also making the campus more noticeable and inviting to guests. - Church of the Advent, Cincinnati – Good News Gardens Expansion, $4,000
Funds a portion of the cost of moving the garden from an off-site location to church grounds as part of a 10-year project focused on using church land for the good of the neighborhood. - Church of the Advent, Cincinnati – Open Door Food Pantry & Cafe, $3,000
Funds the purchasing of food in response to rapidly increased need and attendance at the pantry while experiencing reduced government support and increasing food prices. - Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati – Queen City Street Choir, $5,000
Funds a portion of the expense of gift cards to support the needs of homeless participants and supplies needed to provide a free weekly lunch. - Grace Church, College Hill – Student Support Food Ministry: Our Beloved Kids, $5,000
Funds a portion of the costs for healthy snacks for high school students participating in Oasis at Grace after school, additional food for their increased participation in the weekly community meal, and nutritious lunches during the Aiken summer school program. - St. Philip’s, Columbus – Community Youth Outreach: Summer Reading Readiness, $3,000 (to be distributed in 2025)
Funds the purchasing of learning supplies, art supplies, and food for students in the Summer Reading Readiness Program for 3-5th graders in need of extra literacy support from the Woodland Park community. - St. Philip’s, Columbus – Community Youth Outreach: Life Skills, Budgets, and Food, $3,000 (to be distributed in 2025)*
Funds the purchasing of food and cooking supplies for high school students participating in a home economics skills program. - St. Stephen’s, Columbus – Neighborhood Services, Inc., $3,000
Funds a portion of food purchases for a nonprofit addressing systemic food insecurity amongst families in the university district of Ohio State University. NSI was co-founded by and actively partners with St. Stephen’s. - Christ Church, Dayton – CityHeart, $4,000
Funds support for emergency needs of the clients of the Christ Church-founded CityHeart, a mission that offers compassionate response to the urgent needs of the homeless, low-income, and marginalized, making connections for long-term solutions. - St. Mary’s, Hillsboro – Soup’s On, $2,500*
Funds a portion of the food and supplies for a monthly free meal and distribution to a local senior living facility. - Trinity, London – Madison Food Pantry, $5,000
Funds a portion of the food costs for low-income families and individuals distributed through a volunteer-run, biweekly food pantry, a long-standing partnership between eight area churches. - All Saints, New Albany – Garden for All: Thompson Road Expansion, $2,500
Funds a portion of the materials needed to double the size of the garden in light of increased need and a growing partnership with the New Albany Food Pantry. The expanded garden is expected to produce about 30,000-35,000 pounds of produce annually. - Grace Church, Pomeroy – Steve Story Memorial Shoe Voucher, $3,500
Funds the purchasing of new shoes for children in Meigs County and the distribution of school supplies and emergency supplies for families in partnership with The Meigs Cooperative Parish. - St. Anne’s, West Chester – Spencer’s Laundry, $3,600*
Seed funding for a new monthly laundry program, providing financial assistance at the laundromat and opportunity for discussion, prayer. - St. Edward’s, Whitehall – Community Ministries Expansion, $2,000*
Funds a space development project to create safe and accessible spaces for an expansion of on-site outreach ministries focused on food insecurity, education, and spiritual resources including two blessing boxes, pantry and library closets, and renovation of the Rector’s Garden. - St. John’s, Worthington – Friendship Dinner, $3,000*
Funds a monthly free dinner and opportunity for community fellowship in a safe and welcoming environment.
The Episcopal Community Ministries Committee is led by members of the Diocese of Southern Ohio: Spencer Izor (Chair; St. Paul’s, Dayton), Lily Balukjian-Thompson (St. John’s, Worthington), Judy Battle (St. Margaret’s, Dayton), Rae Fellows (St. Stephen’s, Columbus), the Rev. Gene Hallahan (Christ Church, Ironton), the Rev. Joanna Leiserson (Redeemer, Hyde Park), Jane Paraskevopoulos (Calvary, Cincinnati), the Rev. Michael Ralph (Chillicothe, Circleville, Lancaster, Logan), Andi Wright (Epiphany, Nelsonville) and with staff support from Andrea Owens, ECM Administrator (email Andrea). Members abstain from voting on applications from their home community.
* Denotes projects receiving ECM funding for the first time.
