NEW - Episcopal Diocese of Rochester Grants!
One of the things that makes our Diocese unique is the way in which our diocesan budget is able to support our parishes through grants. For the past fourteen years, you have seen line items in our annual diocesan budget for Congregational Development Partnership Grants and Mission Partnership Grants. Over this time, many of our parishes have taken advantage of these grant programs to great success. The needs of our parishes have changed over this time as well, and in the fall of 2024, Bishop Kara asked Diocesan Council to take a look at our grant program and practices and see how we could make some adjustments to better meet the needs of our parishes now, in 2025. Bishop Kara appointed a task force of Diocesan Council to engage this work and offer recommendations. The members of the task force are: The Rev. Keisha Stokes (chair), The Rev. Georgia Carney, The Rev. Gretchen Ratterree, Lynn Ringholz, Mary White, Patty Campbell, Sue Baldwin, and Ann Dawson.
Over the last several months, we have met to discuss our grant practices. We asked for some feedback from the Diocese and we consulted leaders in other granting organizations to learn more about best practices. Using this information and a basic template provided to us by Bishop Kara, we have created three new parish grants and one partnership grant. While we understand that these changes will cause some anxiety, we assure you that we will answer all of your questions and concerns and help you and your parish figure out what type of grant best fits your ministry goals and dreams. We have streamlined the application process and a member of our committee will help guide your parish through the process.
The graphic below explains each of the grants in detail. Please note that the application periods listed will be slightly different for 2025.
The three types of Parish Grants are:
New Initiative grants
Sustaining grants
New Horizons grants
If you would like to request a grant on behalf of another 501(c)3 organization, we have created the Partnership Grant.
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS OPEN: MONDAY, JUNE 2
APPLICATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY, JULY 31
The application for Parish Grants can be found here: https://forms.gle/Rw5jbP9QkG849jQN8
The application for Partnership Grants can be found here: https://forms.gle/YjA3vKUGRCcGV3qq7
Funding for ALL grants will begin in 2026.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
For Parish Grants, you will need:
-Approved parish budget for 2025
-2024 year-end financial statements: income statement and balance sheet
For Partnership Grants, you will need:
-verification of your partner’s status as a 501(c)3 organization: IRS letter
QUESTIONS
JUNE 5 AT 5 PM: GRANTS Q&A ON ZOOM (link will be sent out a few days prior)
We understand that you and your parish will likely have questions about what type of grant you might need.
We have created a list of FAQs that we invite you to read before you begin your application. This is a living document that will change as we receive more questions.
If you are a current CDP Grant recipient: contact Lynn Ringholz with your questions- lynn.ringholz@gmail.com.
If you are a current Mission Grants recipient: contact Rev. Keisha Stokes with your questions- revkeishastokes@gmail.com
If you are not currently receiving a diocesan grant, contact Rev. Keisha Stokes with your questions- revkeishastokes@gmail.com
Thank you for your patience as we roll out these new grants. We hope you know how much we value your parish and your ministries and we hope these grants help you continue to do what you do best.
Blessings,
The Grants Task Force of Diocesan Council
The Rev. Keisha Stokes (chair), The Rev. Georgia Carney, The Rev. Gretchen Ratterree, Lynn Ringholz, Mary White, Patty Campbell, Sue Baldwin, and Ann Dawson.