Last summer, The Fund for the Diaconate of the Episcopal Church created a special Emergency Grant Program to aid deacons affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Program has been extended through April 2021. As of this writing, The Fund has assisted 18 deacons with grants. Deacons in good standing in The Episcopal Church, who have been laid off, furloughed, or otherwise had their employment hours cut back or eliminated due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply.

Grants will cover the time period of March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021, with applications being accepted until April 30, 2021. Grants of $525 per month will be made for a three-month time period, with each grant being reviewed monthly. Grants may be renewable upon the provision of updated documentation. (Only the initial application will be required.)

The requirements take into account various scenarios: If a deacon’s income is fine, but someone in his/her household’s income has been reduced, that deacon may still apply. The application will need to show that the household is seriously affected by the pandemic. If a deacon will not be returning to work and is in financial difficulty, he/she may qualify for The Fund’s regular grant program.

Applications and FAQs for the Deacon Emergency Grants Program (and Regular Grants) can be found on The Fund’s website. The Application will ask you to provide documentation showing the decrease in hours and/or income after March 1, 2020.

Questions and complete details may be found at www.fundfordiaconate.org/apply-for-aid.