March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church Seeking Grant Applicants

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church located in Annapolis on the Broadneck peninsula is seeking grant applicants for their 2012 grants. Over the past twelve years the church has issued 204 grants totaling $1,513,305 from endowment earnings. Grant requests are not restricted by location or by a minimum or maximum amount. The focus is on the mission, not on the money. Finally, grants are awarded for one year at a time; follow-up requests must be submitted in subsequent years.

In 2011 St. Margaret’s Church awarded 14 new grants totaling $115,000 from a pool of 39 applicants. The twelve parishioners on the Grants Committee read and discussed each one of those applications evaluating whether one or more of the following mission criteria are addressed: Endow the poor and hungry with the means to feed, shelter and clothe themselves; Restore the ill to health and heal the broken; Promote, preserve and sustain environmental health and good practices; Improve access to educational opportunities.

The committee takes into consideration whether applicants demonstrate need, support a new initiative, expand an existing project, or justify short-term assistance for general operating expenses. Applicants must show that their programs have a high probability of success, clearly defined goals, schedules, budgets and committed personnel. The committee also evaluates the urgency of a program and its potential to deliver value in terms of the number of people it benefits per dollar invested.  Applicants were interviewed on four consecutive Tuesday evenings, each getting a half hour of the committee’s time.  First, the liaisons met alone with the committee in order to share their candid observations of the grant request and then they introduced the applicant, who was present in person or by Skype. In most cases, non-regional programs were able to send regional representatives or board members to St. Margaret’s.

As the grants program has become better known and accessible throughout the world via our website, the number of applicants has increased, as has the average size of the grant request. The largest grant ever issued was $40,000. Nine is the fewest number grants awarded in one year and 25 the most (the very first year).

The estate of  Edwin and Zoe Hall bequested to the church in 1995 forged the vision for the grants program and an endowment to continue it. While endowment income has fluctuated, the St. Margaret’s Vestry has remained entirely committed to giving grants. In summation to the Church congregation, Ann Lallande, Chair of the 2011 Grants Committee, reported, “It is the experience of every Grants Committee member that the Holy Spirit guides deliberations and transforms a serious responsibility into a joyful and rewarding process.”

The church is currently accepting applications for 2012 grants. The deadline is a mail postmark November 30, 2011. Grants will be awarded late Spring 2012. Grant applications and guidelines are available on-line under Outreach at the St. Margaret’s website   www.st-margarets.org

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