The Diocese of Southern Ohio offers several forms of financial assistance to congregations and individuals, in the form of grants, loans or scholarships.
Grants
Church Foundation Grants
The Church Foundation considers grant requests for one-time capital expenses or emergency building repairs. Learn more.
Clergy Professional Development Funding
It is expected that clergy serving full-time in congregations or other communities of faith be granted two weeks leave (separate from vacation leave) for professional development. The cost of continuing education courses and programs usually are divided between the clergy person, the congregation or other community of faith he or she serves, and the diocese. Learn more on the Clergy Continuing Education page. Learn more.
Commission on Congregational Life Grants
The Commission on Congregational Life is responsible for developing and implementing a mission strategy for the diocese. The commission is charged with supporting the development and growth of parishes, and offers grants for this purpose. Learn more.
Energy Efficiency Grants
The Commission on Creation Care & Environmental Justice administers a diocesan-funded program that awards congregations grants and loans for projects that improve efficiency in their buildings. This grant opportunity is open to all congregations. Learn more.
Episcopal Community Ministries
Episcopal congregations in the diocese are encouraged to apply for grants to support and create opportunities for ministries and programs that meet human need within the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Learn more.
Faith in Life Grants
The Faith in Life Committee acts as the trustees of an endowment from the Second Century Fund to provide grants for programs for christian education. Learn more.
Minority Empowerment Initiative Trust (MEIT) Grants
The Minority Empowerment Initiative Trust (MEIT) awards grants to minority students. Black high school graduates living in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, who have been admitted to an accredited school or program of advanced learning are eligible to apply for a grant. Learn more.
Sustainable Development Grants
The diocese designates 0.7% of our Mission Share budget for annual grants to organizations and groups that are affiliated with the Episcopal Church or are working in partnership with a parish, organization or individual in the Diocese of Southern Ohio that is involved in mission that support the Sustainable Development Goals and has been granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service. Learn more.
William Cooper Procter Memorial Fund
Through a trust fund established by William Cooper Procter, the Diocese of Southern Ohio has an opportunity to reach out in areas of special ministry, providing “support for innovative activities which go beyond the day to day operations of the church.” Learn more.
Loans
412 Sycamore, Inc. Loan
Before applying to the 412 Sycamore, Inc. Trustees for a mortgage, the congregation must have the approval of the Diocesan Standing Committee for an encumbrance on their church property. Learn more.
Episcopal Church Building Fund Loans
The Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF) assists parishes and ministries by providing loans for building and renovation projects. They invite applications for projects large and small. Learn more.
Scholarships
ECW Book of Remembrance Scholarships
The ECW Book of Remembrance Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for lay and ordained women of the diocese to do graduate study in areas related to church work, special ministries, and helping professions. Funds are also available for short-term non-degree training in workshops, special seminars and skills training, in church related or social service fields. Learn more.
Lawrence Home Association Academic Grant for Minority Women
The Academic Grant for Minority Women program helps finance the post-secondary education of minority women, regardless of age, who are affiliated with an Episcopal church within the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Learn more.
Lawrence Home Association Tuition Assistance for Clergy Daughters
Tuition assistance is available for daughters of priests who are in active service in the diocese. The grants are offered by the Lawrence Home Clergy Daughters Tuition Assistance program. Students are eligible to receive a grant each year for up to four years. Please contact Kristi Reynolds at kreynolds@diosohio.org or 513.632.6018 to learn more.
