Make A Gift To The Bishop's Appeal 2023
Building a New Way of Love
More than a decade ago the Diocese of Southwest Florida had the idea to launch a Bishop's Appeal to create an ever-growing endowment that operates in perpetuity to alleviate human needs across Southwest Florida. During this time, we also wanted to build for the future of our diocese, by establishing an endowment to support the long-term care and capital improvements for DaySpring Conference Center. Gifts can be given to either ministry or split between both.
Stewards of Gifts
The Episcopal Charities Fund of Southwest Florida has just over $1 million in assets and supports and nurtures the unique ministries of our 79 congregations. Each year upwards of 20 charitable agencies are selected as recipients of the fund, further expanding our network of outreach ministries and creating a stronger and more loving future.
See the 2022 Episcopal Charities Fund Grants Recipients Here
DaySpring Endowment Fund looks outward towards our community and beyond. In the midst of an ever-expanding city, DaySpring - our 97-acre oasis on the Manatee River - remains a sacred natural environment that supports diverse wildlife, existing as a haven that serves not only our diocesan community, but dozens of charitable agencies and programs dedicated to providing help for children and families. We provide affordable access to more than 5,000 youth each year for programs that support Christian education, mental health initiatives, cancer survival, interscholastic athletics, and handicap-accessible adventure: vital services which work to promote and improve wellness for body, mind, and spirit. The DaySpring Endowment Fund enhances DaySpring for future generations by supporting essential maintenance.
For each Episcopal Charities donation made, a 10 percent tithe of the gift is distributed in the current year. At mid-summer, parish ministries across the diocese can apply for grants. Each August, the Council of Deacons reviews the applications and makes recommendations for funding, which are announced just before Annual Convention in October.
Easy, Safe Online Donation
Questions?
- For questions about the Bishop’s Appeal, contact Wendy Martucci, Executive Assistant to the Bishop at 941-551-0351or [email protected]
Appeal & Episcopal Charities Updates
2022 Episcopal Charities Grant Applications Open
May 05, 2022
PARRISH - Open to all churches within the Diocese of Southwest Florida, the Episcopal Charites Grants were created to serve parish-based outreach and special needs ministries with special funding through the Episcopal Charities Fund of Southwest Florida.
The deadline for the 2022 grant applications is July 15, 2022. Read the 2022 Episcopal Charities Grants guidelines here.
Grants are awarded annually by Diocesan Council following recommendations made by the Council on Deacons. The Council announces the awards at the Annual Diocesan Convention.
Learn More.
Pictured above: volunteers at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry fill a car with groceries in Naples.
Yearly Episcopal Charities Grant Applications Sought
May 06, 2021
PARRISH – The Council on Deacons is now accepting applications for grants from the Episcopal Charities Fund.
2021 Bishop's Appeal Sent to Parishioners
March 05, 2021
PARRISH - During Lent, the Diocese of Southwest Florida sends out the Bishop's Appeal, which supports the DaySpring Endowment Fund and Episcopal Charities Fund of Southwest Florida.
Join Diocesan Endowment Fund Board on Tuesday, Feb. 9
January 14, 2021
PARRISH - Representatives from Boston's State Street Global Advisors and Episcopal Church Foundation will join the Diocesan Endowment Fund Board on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 to present the fourth annual Fund Board Live! Event on Zoom. This event brings together the diocesan fund board and the local endowment committees for the 36 congregations who participate in the diocesan pooled endowment management program.
Benison Farm Wins UTO Grant to Respond to COVID-19
October 22, 2020
ST. PETERSBURG - United Thank Offering announced the grant recipients for the 2021 granting year and are excited to share that the Diocese of Southwest Florida will receive funding for Benison Farm's Feeding Response. The focus of the granting process this year was ‘Recovering with Love and Gratitude: An Episcopal Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Local Contexts.’
Last Call for Episcopal Charities Grant Applications 2021
June 24, 2020
PARRISH - The Episcopal Charities Fund (ECF) of Southwest Florida funds parish-based outreach and special needs ministries through a competitive grant program that is open to all congregations within the Diocese.
Sow The Seeds: 2020 Bishops Appeal
February 19, 2020
PARRISH - Each February, the Diocese of Southwest Florida sends out the Bishop's Appeal to parishioners across Southwest Florida.
