For Churches and Ministries
Documents & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Creating an endowment can feel complex. The Foundation can help your organization:
- Define the purpose of the fund
- Establish appropriate policies and governance
- Structure the endowment around long-term goals
- Develop a plan for future gifts
- Communicate the opportunity to your congregation
For organizations with an established endowment, the Foundation can provide support with:
- Long-term investment management
- Endowment policies and governance
- Planned-giving programs
- Strategies for encouraging new gifts
- Resources for vestries and finance committees
- Foundation staff and board members are available to meet with your leadership team to discuss your organization’s needs.
Planned giving can help churches build lasting financial strength and give parishioners a meaningful way to support the Church beyond their lifetimes.
The Foundation offers practical resources to help churches establish and sustain planned-giving programs, including:
- Sample letters and brochures
- Suggested timelines
- Communication templates
- Best-practice guidance
- Support for conversations with congregations
For Grant Applications and Non-Profits
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications are available through the Foundation’s online grant management system. Applicants will create an account and use the portal to complete the application, upload supporting materials and manage grant-related communications.
Applicants should request the amount needed to complete the proposed work. Reviewing recent awards can provide a general sense of the size and range of the Foundation’s grants.
Partial awards are common. Applicants should explain whether a partial award would still be useful and provide a detailed budget that allows the Grants Committee to understand which portions of the request could be funded.
The Foundation has not historically funded 100% of project costs. Strong applications identify other anticipated or confirmed sources of support and demonstrate the organization’s commitment to financing and sustaining the work.
The Foundation supports projects and programs that strengthen new and existing Episcopal churches, schools, missions and ministries within the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.
It also considers applications from qualifying nonprofit organizations for programs addressing food insecurity, homelessness, poverty and health insecurity.
Yes. Non-Episcopal charitable organizations may apply when the proposed program is consistent with the Christian ministry and mission of the Foundation and the Diocese and addresses food insecurity, homelessness, poverty or health insecurity.
Non-Episcopal organizations applying for health-insecurity funding must clearly demonstrate that the proposed program serves individuals with limited financial resources and limited access to healthcare.
Yes. The Foundation may consider multi-year requests. However, it may award one year of funding from a multi-year request and ask the organization to reapply in a future cycle.
Yes. Organizations may submit annual requests, although organizations that received significant funding in the previous year may receive lower priority.
Non-Episcopal organizations that receive funding for three consecutive years must wait two years before applying again.
Yes. Funding availability and the number and type of applications received vary from year to year.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Foundation’s current funding priorities and contact Foundation staff for guidance on strengthening a future request.
- Clearly describe the proposed project or program.
- Explain the need the work will address.
- Describe the anticipated impact, including the people, ministry or community that will benefit.
- Include detailed financial planning, such as project budgets, bids, invoices, purchase orders, price lists or other supporting documentation.
- Demonstrate the organization’s financial accountability through financial statements and operating budgets.
- Show the organization’s commitment to completing and sustaining the project through fundraising, contributions, volunteers, donated professional services or other resources.
- Include a realistic timeline for project completion or use of the requested funds.
For Donors and Families
Documents & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Creating an endowment can feel complex. The Foundation can help your organization:
- Define the purpose of the fund
- Establish appropriate policies and governance
- Structure the endowment around long-term goals
- Develop a plan for future gifts
- Communicate the opportunity to your congregation
For organizations with an established endowment, the Foundation can provide support with:
- Long-term investment management
- Endowment policies and governance
- Planned-giving programs
- Strategies for encouraging new gifts
- Resources for vestries and finance committees
- Foundation staff and board members are available to meet with your leadership team to discuss your organization’s needs.
Planned giving can help churches build lasting financial strength and give parishioners a meaningful way to support the Church beyond their lifetimes.
The Foundation offers practical resources to help churches establish and sustain planned-giving programs, including:
- Sample letters and brochures
- Suggested timelines
- Communication templates
- Best-practice guidance
- Support for conversations with congregations
Ways To Give
A charitable gift made through a will or trust may be designated for an existing fund or used to establish a new one.
Donors may choose to give:
- A specific dollar amount
- A percentage of an estate
- The remaining balance after other distributions have been made
The Episcopal Foundation of Dallas may be named as a beneficiary of a:
- Retirement account
- Life insurance policy
- Bank account
- Beneficiary designations can generally be reviewed and updated over time as circumstances change
Eligible individuals may be able to make charitable distributions directly from an IRA.
These gifts may support the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, its parishes, missions and schools, as well as other qualifying organizations through the Foundation.
IRA distributions generally cannot be contributed to a donor-advised fund. Donors should consult their financial, legal or tax advisors regarding eligibility and current requirements.
The Foundation provides individualized support to help donors make informed and meaningful charitable decisions.
Services may include:
- Legacy and charitable-giving planning
- Assistance establishing a fund
- Knowledge of needs within the Diocese and North Texas
- Introductions to ministries and nonprofit organizations
- Coordination of local site visits
- Ongoing fund administration and support
- Our goal is to ensure that each gift is thoughtfully managed, reflects the donor’s intentions and creates meaningful impact.