Under the leadership of the late Rt. Rev. Bennett Sims, sixth bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, the Episcopal Charities Foundation was established at the 75th Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta. This marked the beginning of a new philanthropic effort within the diocese “to minister to and serve and aid the poor and needy throughout the Diocese of Atlanta.”
Over its first thirty years, the Foundation granted more than $4 million to over 175 ministries and organizations such as food pantries, health clinics, prison ministries, homeless shelters, AIDS victim support, court advocates for children, and enrichment and empowering programs for the unemployed.
At the request of the Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, tenth bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, grant funding was paused while the Board of Directors clarified the organization’s mission and vision.
In 2015, the 109th Annual Council approved revisions empowering the Foundation to expand its endowment, strengthen Episcopal outreach, and enhance grant effectiveness in serving people experiencing poverty and oppression.
To facilitate the Foundation’s expanding ministry, the organization hired its first dedicated Executive Director.
Later that year, the 110th Annual Council approved changing the Foundation’s name to the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia to better reflect its mission and impact.
The Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia partners with Episcopal parishes and nonprofit partners to lift up people experiencing poverty and oppression and to achieve significant, long-lasting impact in the Diocese of Atlanta. Since its inception, ECF has donated $5.9 million to promote thriving and spiritually strong individuals, families, and communities locally.
