ECM Round 1 grant cycle opens

Episcopal Community Ministries (ECM), our diocese’s outreach arm, offers grants to multiple congregation-affiliated outreach ministries, including 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 2026:

• Round I: Application opens on February 1 and closes on March 1.
• Round II: Application opens on June 1 and closes on July 1.

The following are some of the basic criteria to apply:

1. 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.
2. The Congregation is in “good standing” as determined by canon. This status includes being current in Mission Share contributions, and having up‐to‐date submissions of the Parochial Report, Diocesan Annual Reporting Form, and parish audit.
3. The ministry to be funded 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 become more familiar with ECM, please visit diosohio.org/episcopal-community-ministries.