Episcopal Foundation of Dallas Annual Grant Program

The Episcopal Foundation of Dallas offers direct financial support through an annual grant program benefiting parishes, schools, and other not-for-profit agencies throughout the Dallas Diocese.

Geographic Scope: 25-county area in North Texas within the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas

Mission Focus: The Foundation prioritizes grants that strengthen and support new and existing Episcopal churches, schools, and ministries within the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation supports organizations and programs addressing basic human needs in the following areas:

• Food Insecurity – organizations and social outreach programs that provide food to underserved populations
• Homelessness – organizations that work to prevent homelessness, provide emergency shelter or temporary housing, and facilitate collaboration among service providers
• Poverty – organizations that work to break the cycle of poverty with resources, referrals and services that strengthen families and neighborhoods
• Health Insecurity – organizations that provide free/low-cost healthcare, including mental healthcare

Eligibility

• Applying organizations must be located and serve in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas (25-county area in North Texas)
• Organization types:

- Episcopal churches, schools, missions, or programs
- Charitable not-for-profit organizations whose program/project is consistent with Christian ministry and missions of the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas and the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas

• Non-Episcopal entities: Values must be consistent with the mission and teachings of the Episcopal Church

- Non-Episcopal entities that have received funding in three consecutive years must wait two years before applying again
- Health insecurity program applicants must clearly demonstrate that the program intentionally serves individuals with few financial resources and limited access to health resources

• Tax-exempt status: Proof of tax-exempt status required
• Grant reporting: Organizations that receive funding must submit a brief, written Grant Report detailing the use of funds and results of the program/project. Failure to submit may preclude past recipients from future awards

Award Terms

• Funding decisions: Board of Trustees reviews and approves Grant Committee funding recommendations in June each year
• Announcement: Grants announced by July 1
• Multi-year grants: May be approved; however, Board has tended to grant only a single year of funding for multi-year requests
• Annual reapplication: Organizations may submit annual requests. However, those organizations that have received awards for three consecutive years must wait two years before applying again
• Partial awards: Common; Foundation has historically not funded 100% of project cost
• Recognition requirement: Grant recipients must accurately credit the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas as the donor in any publicity or recognition efforts

What the Foundation Does NOT Fund

• Annual fund campaigns
• Endowments
• Capital campaigns
• Deficit financing
• Debt repayment
• Underwriting for fundraising activities (unless clear case can be made that request supports the mission and focus of the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas)

Historical Context

As of December 31, 2022, the Episcopal Health Foundation of Dallas was dissolved and its assets contributed to the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas. This significantly grew the Foundation's grant-making capacity and expanded the grant focus to include support for organizations that address health insecurity.

Since 2011, the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas and the Episcopal Health Foundation of Dallas (combined) have awarded over $12 million in grants.

Recent Award Statistics

2025:

• Total Amount Awarded: $548,100
• Number of Grants Awarded: 41
• Range of Awards: $3,000 – $30,000
• Total Amount Requested: $2,149,525
• Number of Applicants: 121

2024:

• Total Amount Awarded: $521,133
• Number of Grants Awarded: 39
• Range of Awards: $3,000 – $25,000
• Total Amount Requested: $2,857,333
• Number of Applicants: 105

2023:

• Total Amount Awarded: $513,000
• Number of Grants Awarded: 40
• Range of Awards: $2,000 – $25,000
• Total Amount Requested: $2,330,880
• Number of Applicants: 114

Contact Information

Address: 5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230

Staff: Foundation staff welcomes the opportunity to discuss the feasibility and appropriateness of requests and to assist organizations throughout the application process.

Grant Application Process

Application Platform: Cloud-based grant management software solution from Foundant Technologies (implemented in 2023)

Submission Method: Online portal

Timeline and Deadline

• Application Window: Applications accepted beginning in February
• Deadline: March 31 (or next business day if March 31 falls on a weekend)
• Notification: All applicants notified of award amount by July 1

Required Application Materials

Applicants should address the following items in the detailed Narrative Summary or supporting documents:

1. Financial Planning Documentation:
- Detailed project budgets
- Outside bids
- Invoices
- Purchase orders
- Price lists
- Other objective data

2. Financial Accountability Documentation:
- Financial statements
- Operating budgets

3. Organizational Commitment Demonstration:
- Willingness to raise funds
- Use of volunteers to save money
- Amount of money already raised and set aside
- Parishioners or professionals willing to donate services

4. Impact Demonstration:
- Number of people to be served
- Mission alignment
- Community outreach benefits

5. Timeline Documentation:
- Timeline of project completion
- Timeline for use of EFD funds
- Evidence that funds will be used in a timely manner

Application Tips

• Request appropriate amounts: Applicants should request what they need. Partial awards are common; if a partial award would be beneficial, state that in the application
• Provide cost breakdown: Detailed project/program budget gives the Grant Committee greater flexibility to fund your request at some level
• Document alternative funding: Successful applicants document well thought-out plans for financing and sustaining a project, including alternative sources of funding and organizational commitment to invest in and support the project through fundraising, contributions, and volunteer efforts
• Review recent awards: Review Recent Awards section to get a sense of the size of grants typically awarded
• Contact Foundation: Foundation staff welcomes discussion about feasibility and appropriateness of requests

Processing and Review

• Grant requests are processed by Foundation staff
• All complete, qualifying applications reviewed by the Foundation's Grants Committee
• Grant Committee makes funding recommendations to the full Board of Trustees
• Board of Trustees reviews and approves recommendations in June

Post-Award Requirements

Grant Agreement: Recipient must sign and submit Grant Agreement before disbursement, documenting the terms of the award and stated purpose for use of funds

Timeline for Use: Recipient must be prepared to spend the grant award for the stated purpose within the specified time frame (typically 12 months)

Disbursement: Grant awards are disbursed by ACH payment; recipient must provide appropriate depository and account details

Grant Reporting: Organizations must submit a brief, written Grant Report detailing the use of funds and results of the program/project. Failure to submit may preclude past recipients from future awards.