The Episcopal Church is part of a worldwide community of faith: the Anglican Communion. In the name of our God who loves every human being, the Diocese of Southern Ohio has ardently supported humanitarian relief and development overseas for generations. Our own Bishop Hobson spearheaded the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief during the Second World War. When the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, our diocese joined The Episcopal Church in passing resolutions committing 0.7% of our budgets for grants to support SDG projects.
We are delighted to invite congregations of the Diocese of Southern Ohio to submit grant proposals to advance one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals through partnerships with congregations, dioceses, or nonprofits in developing countries.
Examples of eligible projects include programs promoting health, education, community economic development, equality, and environmental sustainability. Over the past decade, congregations in our diocese have received grants for programs supporting primary, secondary, and trade education, sustainable agriculture, women’s self-help groups, entrepreneurship, and medical education. The funded projects were in countries including Guatemala, Honduras, Liberia, Madagascar, and Uganda. You can submit an SDG proposal for a project anywhere in the developing world with on-the-ground partners with which your congregation has a direct and ongoing connection.
The SDGs expand upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) and create a broader range of missions that might be supported by a SDG Grant. Information about the SDG’s can be found at www.globalgoals.org.
Details & Qualifications
- The maximum grant amount is $4,000.
- All grants must reflect partnerships between one or more DSO congregations and a congregation, diocese, or nonprofit in a developing nation.
- Funds must be used only as specified in the mission project proposal. Any unused funds must be returned to the diocese.
- Grants are not renewable but new grant applications may be submitted in subsequent years.
The Grant Completion Report is required upon completion of the mission project and is due no later than September 30, 2026. Please include a few photos we may use to publicize your mission project. No further grants may be awarded to the mission project until a report from the prior year is submitted.
Informational Session about 2026 Grants
The SDG Grant Committee will host an informational session on Monday, May 4, 2026 from 7-8 pm on Zoom.
Apply for a 2026 SDG Grant
The deadline to apply for an SDG grant is ______, 2026. Applications will be reviewed ______.
Questions
Questions about the SDG grants should be directed to the chair of the granting committee, the Rev. David Kendall-Sperry at frdavid.episcopal@gmail.com.
Members of the Committee
Lissa Barker – St. Patrick’s, Dublin
The Rev. Michelle Boomgaard – Christ Church, Springfield
Clifton Flemister – St. Matthew’s, Westerville
The Rev. David Kendall-Sperry – St. Peter’s, Delaware
Ariel Miller – Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming
Liz Brauza-Hughes – Staff Liaison
