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Grants for Special Projects |
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Members of St. Stephen's, Mt. Healthy were among the very first counselors trained to use the Benefit Bank, days before it went live in Ohio in January, 2006. Grants from the Jessie Ball duPont and Procter Funds equipped ECSF to play a crucial role in launching the Ohio Benefit Bank starting in 2005. We used the grant to provide local match for the federal VISTA grant that set up the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks' team of Benefit Bank trainers, which has been named one of the ten top anti-poverty programs in the national VISTA portfolio. The grants also equipped ECSF to train counselors ourselves in churches and non-profit partners across Southern Ohio, provide several with computers, and strengthen public-private partnerships that have significantly reduced the barriers faced by applicants.
With OASHF as lead agency, the Benefit Bank has spread to an immense network of churches and community-based organizations throughout the state, and has connected Ohioans - especially the working poor – to over $100 million in public benefits including food stamps, Medicaid, child care vouchers, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. This resource has become more crucial than ever in the recession, especially with drastic cuts in the budget of Ohio's county departments of Job and Family Services.
The leverage is incredible: twelve hours of free training, a laptop, and high speed internet access equips a church or non-profit to give working low-income families an enormous boost in financial stability. In the spring of 2009, for example, the Caring Connection, a ministry aided by St. Luke's, helped 70 families connect with over $90,000 in tax credits and refunds. Compare the impact of just one site in a three month period to our 2009 grants budget of $137,700 and you will see why we are so excited about this project.
We are very grateful to have received a number of grants for special projects over the last five years.
Ohio Public Benefits Outreach Project (2005-08) The Jessie Ball DuPont Fund The William Cooper Procter Fund Grants from these generous funders equipped ECSF to help launch and consolidate the Ohio Benefit Bank, an extraordinary partnership between the State of Ohio and a rapidly expanding network of faith and community-based organizations to connect Ohioans in need with public benefits.
Mountain Grace Conference Annual regional conference on Appalachian ministry, launched by this diocese in 2004 Episcopal Appalachian Ministries Diocese of West Virginia Disciples.Net, Diocese of West Virginia Episcopal Appalachian Ministries, Southern Ohio Chapter Hocking River Deanery Northeast Deanery Scioto River Deanery Several generous individuals and families have contributed to this conference as well.
Jubilee Conferences on Urban Ministry (2004-2005) Jubilee Ministry Office of the Episcopal Church This grant enabled ECSF to hold regional conferences on urban ministry in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati. ECSF developed the project in collaboration with five other Jubilee Ministry Centers of the diocese, sharing the grant with them.
Overcoming the Odds (2005) Jubilee Ministry Office of the Episcopal Church The William Cooper Procter Fund This conference brought together Episcopalians with many others working in the faith community, statewide and local non-profits, and state government to discuss current work and opportunities for synergy in programs for prisoners and ex-offenders.
Try This at Home (2008-09) Jubilee Ministry Office of the Episcopal Church A mini-grant equipping us to make short videos showcasing the effective work of volunteers in tackling community needs. Watch for these videos online, fall of 2009.
Grant for key operating costs (2005-09) The Diocese of Southern Ohio We are very grateful for an annual operating grant from the Diocesan budget which helps cover the cost of annual audits and insurance.
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Episcopal Community Services Foundation
| 412 Sycamore St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513-221-0547 | ecsf@eos.net |
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