If you’re new to seeking funding from the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia (ECF), the process might appear complicated. Our website was recently redesigned to offer comprehensive tools and convey our style of pastoral support for grantseekers.
One new resource, for example, is a visual timeline of ECF grantmaking.
The heart of our work is building relationships with people like you and together lifting up people facing poverty and oppression. Our online resources can equip you for success, along with direct coaching from ECF.
“Our goal is helping your ministry be more effective,” said ECF Executive Director Lindsey Hardegree. “Money is a big part of that, but so is developing strategic planning, leadership, and other resources. This might not be a step you planned to take, but we want to challenge you in a good way so that your ministry becomes stronger.”
Coaching and Pastoral Support for Episcopal Grantseekers
Feedback from grantees reflects the value of ECF’s approach and the potential for spiritual growth.
“We would not have thought about our outreach ministry in this much depth and from all these different angles, if ECF had not asked us the questions and we had not had to come with answers,” said one grantee. “Because we had to think about the aspects of our ministry that you asked us about, we improved how we serve our community now and for the long term. ECF helped us make what we do better.”
Like a priest or lay minister, ECF offers shared presence, listening, and support for solving a problem. The solution, we hope, will achieve significant, long-lasting change in the communities where our parishes serve.
Think of ECF’s website resources as the welcome mat for free consulting services for your parish, guiding you to best practices, possible partners, and existing solutions.
“We want you to feel empowered,” Hardegree said. “We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed.”
Who should be the applicant on an ECF grant?
ECF makes grants to Episcopal parishes who often are in partnership with a community nonprofit. So which partner should apply for the ECF grant? The LOI instructions provide guidance on determining the answer.
“We don’t expect you to understand how all of this works,” she said. “We will coach you through the process.”
The nonprofit partner is more likely to contact ECF with questions, Hardegree said, while Episcopal church members often won’t. They don’t want to be seen as “bothering” ECF for information, which she says is a misperception.
“If you have questions or you’re not sure what to do, you can always call me,” she said, and offering a convenient way for people to schedule a call or Zoom meeting on the website.
Step-by-Step Resources for the ECF Grant Process
The ECF website, ECFimpact.org, provides detailed forms and resources related to the three steps of ECF grants:
- Submitting a letter of intent (LOI)
- Completing an application (by invitation only)
- Making a final report
The purpose and design of these documents is to guide and strengthen your grant submission, helping your ministry prepare an effective request for funding.
“Our forms and documents on the website show you what you’re getting into when you seek a grant from us,” Hardegree added. “We want you to have all that information as a way of setting expectations.”
The website, launched in 2017, is redesigned to be more accessible and mobile-friendly. ECF welcomes your feedback.
