Grant Application

Grant Application Process

2013 Grant Application Now Available

For current grantees and new applicants, the 2013 Basic Human Needs Grant Application can be found at www.ecsefl.org by clicking on the Grant Application tab on the Navigation Bar. The deadline for application submissions is August 3rd at 3pm — NO EXCEPTIONS.

NEW PROCEDURES: Grant Information Conference Calls will be held for applicants in each deanery. If you are considering applying for this grant cycle, you or your grant writer must rsvp and participate in your deanery call. (Exceptions will be made if you need to call in with another deanery). Staff will be pleased to review a draft of your proposal several weeks before the deadline. However, this staff review does not guarantee that your proposal will be funded. Applications are available on our website at www.ecsefl.org (click Grant Application on the Navigation Bar)

Dates & Deadlines: RSVP with Bonnie at bonnie@ecsefl.org or (561) 308-3742. You will then receive the call in number by email or phone. Please print out a copy of the application for the call.
> Download 2013 BHN Grant Application Form

Grant Information Conference Calls:

2012 Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program of Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida allows ECSEFL to quickly and easily assist congregations receive grants up to $1,000 for hunger-related projects. The Small Grants Program is designed for activities such as start-up food pantries and soup kitchens, gleaning projects, backpack programs, youth group and church school-related hunger activities, family support events and special one-time media events. A Small Grant may also support a new component to a presently EC funded program. Congregations are expected to develop additional sources of revenue if the program is a start-up and not a one-time program.

Once a year, a Small Grant Workshop will be held for interested applicants and those who have received a grant and are interested in further funding from Episcopal Charities.

Who is Eligible for a Small Grant?

Any congregation in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Proposals must be submitted by clergy although congregational leadership and involvement is important. Only one proposal per church will be considered.

Kinds of Projects Funded

The Small Grants Program is designed to provide funding for one-time events and activities significant to hunger and feeding issues. Projects can include, but are not limited to, advocacy, media and hands-on projects.

In addition, the Small Grants Program offers start-up funding for congregation- based food pantries, soup kitchens, gleaning projects, backpack programs, and youth group hunger activities.

Congregations that wish to add an additional service/component to an EC funded program may apply.

The granting process is expedited so that the application can be accepted, reviewed and responded to within six weeks. Ten small grants were made in 2011.

Projects That Are Not Eligible for Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program is designed to support start-up projects, one -time events, and one-time needs within a project. The program is not intended to provide partial support to ongoing programs that will not change in any significant way. And, Episcopal Charities will not consider proposals that have contingencies that must be met before the project can continue, for example, other sources of support must be obtained.

How Small Grants are Reviewed and Decided

The procedure for the Small Grants Program is designed to be as simple as possible. The applicant submits a two page proposal electronically to the Program, Grants & Resource Director at bonnie@ecsefl.org. The applicant will receive a return email acknowledging receipt of the request. After staff review of the proposal to determine completeness and meeting criteria, the Grants Committee of Episcopal Charities receives the proposal, scores the proposal and recommends (or declines) support. The applicant is then notified about the decision. The process is designed to give the applicant an answer within four to six weeks of receipt. As with all funded programs, staff provides oversight and conducts site visits where needed.

How to Apply for a Small Grant

After reviewing the above information to make sure the application meets Small Grants guidelines, the applicant will send a two page proposal to the Program, Grants & Resource Director at bonnie@ecsefl.org. On receipt of the proposal, a confirming email will be sent and will indicate if any further information is required.

Required elements to be included in the proposal are:

• Name, address, rector/priest in charge of applicant church
• Name, address, telephone number, fax and email for Project Contact Person
• Describe the project and what it is expected to accomplish, geographic areas served, and how the project accomplishes its goals
• Describe the volunteer leadership that will run the project
• Describe specifically how the Small Grants money will be used
• Briefly describe the total budget for the project and major areas of support
• Give beginning date and duration of the project

If there are any questions about making application under the Small Grants Program, please contact the Program, Grants & Resource Director, Bonnie Weaver at: or (561) 308-3742.

Future Funding

The Small Grants Program offers one time grants designed to launch an activity or ministry that needs an initial infusion of cash with the understanding that other types of support will follow. At the end of the Small Grant year, a successful and growing program may wish to apply for the regular two year cycle of funding known as the Basic Human Needs (BHN) Grants, available to new programs in 2012. Some funding may be available to programs that have completed their Small Grant year and find it a hardship to wait until the BHN Cycle begins again in 2012. If there are any questions about making application under the Small Grants Program, please contact the Program, Grants & Resource Director, Bonnie Weaver at if you find your program in that situation.

2011 Small Grants Awarded

• Food Pantry, Church of the Intercession, Ft. Lauderdale
• ST. Laurence Chapel Hygiene Program Expansion,
  St. Mary Magdalene, Coral Springs
• Youth Garden, St. John's, Homestead
• Homeless Feeding Program, St. Patrick's, WPB
• Elderly Feeding Ministry, St. Paul's et Les Martyrs d'Haiti
• AIDS/HIV Feeding Program, All Souls, Miami Beach
• Community Garden at Independence Cay,
  St. Columba, Marathon
• Back to School Event, St. Luke's, Port Salerno
• Food Pantry, Christ Church, Coconut Grove
• Community Garden Expansion, Holy Spirit, WPB

2010 Small Grants Awarded

• Elderly Feeding  Ministry, St. Paul & Les Martyrs, Miami
• St. Stephen's Sandwich Ministry, St. Stephen's, Coconut Grove
• Soup Kitchen/Homeless Shelter, St. Columba, Marathon
• Soup Kitchen with Calvary Methodist Church,
  St. Andrew's, Lake Worth
• Hygiene Program for St. Laurence Chapel, St. Mary Magdalene
• Community Garden, Holy Spirit, West Palm Beach
• Backpack Buddies, St. Mary's, Stuart
• Food Pantry, St. Mary's, Deerfield Beach
• Community Garden, St. Luke's, Port Salerno