2024 Parish Partner Grant RFP

Parish Partner Grant 2024

Request for Proposal - New Parish Partner Application
OVERVIEW

Episcopal Charities announces the fourth year of the Parish Partner Grants Program. This grants program is a resource for Episcopal Churches that wish to begin or enhance outward-facing projects designed to meet the needs of vulnerable populations in their communities. In addition to resourcing individual congregations, this grants program encourages churches to partner with other churches and with non-profit organizations in their communities to build solidarity, create community, and increase project sustainability.
 
Episcopal Charities believes in the proven role played by parishes and missions to nurture a more just and merciful world. Many of our 17 Non-Profit Partner agencies began in Episcopal churches across Northern Illinois over the last 60+ years. Long-standing Episcopal Charities Legacy Partners St. Leonard’s Ministries, Youth Guidance, Lawrence Hall, the Primo Center, and others continue to provide needed services and support to the most vulnerable. Given the immense challenges before us, Episcopal Charities’ Parish Partner Grants Program is an effort to partner with Episcopal communities of faith across the Diocese, strengthening our common mission to love God, love our neighbor, and nurture a more just and merciful world.

As the social outreach arm of the Diocese of Chicago, Episcopal Charities is energized by Bishop Paul E. Clark’s vision for creating a more just and merciful world. Moving forward, the work of Episcopal Charities work will be framed by the four areas of social concern she announced last year: Violence Prevention, Creation Care, Equity and Equality, and Hunger. The Bishop’s call to action in these four areas creates an opportunity for all of us to unite around a common vision, strengthen the witness of the Diocese of Chicago, and deepen our impact for all of God's children.

Applicant organizations that qualify for the Parish Partner Grants Program will:

Be an Episcopal parish or mission in the Diocese of Chicago,
or a Non-Profit in partnership, collaboration, or meaningful relationship with an Episcopal parish or mission in the Diocese of Chicago, that
wishes to begin or enhance an outward-facing project or initiative designed to meet the individual and/or collective needs of the most vulnerable in their local communities

Please complete all fields in this proposal and attend to all requests for additional “uploads”. Should you have any questions about this request, please don’t hesitate to contact us at grants@episcopalcharities.org.

Important Dates:

March 18, 2024 – Live link to application for Parish Partner Grants Program is published
May 13, 2024 – Deadline to submit the application
June 14, 2024 – Episcopal Charities announces new Parish Partner Grantees

Please submit this completed electronic proposal no later than May 13, 2024.

(A) Congregation
(A) Congregation
Name of Congregation*
Parish Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parish Phone*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parish Website
Rector / Leader of the Project*

PrefixFirst NameLast NameTitle
Leader's Email Address*
example@example.com
Leader's Phone Number*
Please enter the best number for reaching the initiative lead.
Additional Leader of the Project

PrefixFirst NameLast Name
Additional Leader's Email Address
example@example.com
Additional Leader's Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.

(B) Staff
(B) Staff
Does your parish or mission have staff? If so, how many and what are their roles/titles?
How many years has the current clergy served your congregation?
Who serves as the lead for this initiative?

(C) Community of Worship
(C) Community of Worship
What is the average weekly Sunday attendance?
How many members belong to your congregation?
What is the racial/ethnic composition of your congregation?
Describe the general demographic composition of your congregation in terms of age, gender, class, and any other relevant information as to the identities present. (50 word limit)

0/50

(D) Financial Information
(D) Financial Information
What is your annual operating budget for 2024?*
Did your congregation experience a net operating loss in fiscal year 2023? If yes, what was the amount?*
How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected the financial well-being of your congregation? (50 word limit)*

0/50

(E) Neighborhood, Village, Community
(E) Application Questions
Neighborhood, Village, Community
What is the name of your town, village, neighborhood, or city? Is your community best described as urban, suburban, rural, or other? If other, please describe.
What is the official population size of your congregation’s community/neighborhood, etc.?
Briefly describe the demographics of your community. Who are the people who live in your community? What do they do for work? What are the age ranges? Young families? Senior adults? Is there a homeless population? What percentage? Please provide percentages describing the racial composition of your community. What percentage of your community is comprised of undocumented/mixed status persons? (75 word limit)

0/75
How many other churches (both Episcopal and otherwise) are present in your community?
Is your congregation currently in relationship or partnership with any other churches, non-profits, or other organizations in your community? If yes, please briefly describe. (30 word limit)

0/30
To the best of your knowledge, please identify and briefly describe the problems/issues that most acutely affect your community. (50 word limit)

0/50
Has your congregation conducted a needs assessment or other study that has shaped your answer to the previous question? If yes, please describe. (75 word limit)

0/75

(F) Project Description/Goals
(F) Project Description/Goals
Please describe your project idea and how it addresses the need/s of vulnerable, oppressed, or marginalized persons in your local community. Is this project in existence already or is this a new initiative in your congregation? (limit 150 words)*

0/150
Why are you undertaking this particular program or project? Who will be served? (limit 150 words).*

0/150
What do you expect to accomplish with one year of funding? What are your goals? What does success look like and how will you measure it? (150 word limit)*

0/150
If your proposal is successful, your funding will be awarded in July of 2024. Please provide a one-year timeline and basic project plan that shows how you’ll arrive at your project goal/s. Include any benchmarks or metrics indicating incremental progress, if appropriate. UPLOAD .*

.docx or .pdf
Cancelof
Please indicate the total amount requested from Episcopal Charities*
Is there anything further that you would like to share with Episcopal Charities regarding your proposal? (100 word limit)

0/100

(G) Additional Information
(G) Additional Information
Parish Partner Leadership Cohort

Project leaders of successful proposals will be asked to gather twice per year for collaborative learning and the sharing of ideas. The first meeting will take place in November of 2024 at 65 E Huron in Chicago. Participants should prepare to spend a morning until afternoon in community. Travel/lodging expenses will be reimbursed.
Episcopal Charities Communications

The 2024 - 2025 Cohort of Parish Partner Grantees will be announced on June 14, 2024. In order to tell the unique stories of our grantee congregations, Episcopal Charities may request photos, some written verbiage, and potential video interviews with leaders and the persons served by the grantee initiatives. Please be prepared to host a videographer and staff person from our offices in Chicago to secure footage and/or photographs.
Document Uploads

Please upload the following documents and additional information requests:
- Current available budget vs. actuals, fiscal year-to-date
- Previous fiscal year budget vs. actuals
Upload Financials*

Cancelof
The staff and trustees of Episcopal Charities are delighted you’ve shared your time and energy with us in this application and proposal for funding. We are grateful for your time and look forward to hearing about your ideas and work in the coming days.

Blessings,

Rebecca Cacayuran, Co-Chair, Allocations Task Force, Board of Trustees

Cheryl Rogers, Co-Chair, Allocations Task Force, Board of Trustees

Matthew Berryman, Executive Director
Should be Empty:

Parish Partner Grant 2024

(A) Congregation

(B) Staff

(C) Community of Worship

(D) Financial Information

(E) Application Questions

Neighborhood, Village, Community

(F) Project Description/Goals

(G) Additional Information

Parish Partner Leadership Cohort

Episcopal Charities Communications