The Saint Francis Fund
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Saint Francis of Assisi
The Saint Francis Fund is one of the many ways that Trinity strives to be a power for good, sharing God’s love and building up our surrounding community. The Fund has become an enduring expression of Trinity’s baptismal commitment “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to love your neighbor as yourself.”
History of the Saint Francis Fund
In 1992, the members of Trinity Episcopal Church proposed a new goal for Trinity’s outreach. The Saint Francis Fund Committee was formed, charged with the goal of raising $1,000,000 in a span of ten years and using this money “to nurture, sustain and affirm programs and projects … that speak to the despair, suffering, anger and need in the lives of so many.”
Ten years later, through 2002, $1,110,397 had been given out in grants, both locally and abroad. Trinity then decided to continue this fund and its outreach, but to double the amount given toward projects and needs. The goal was set at $2,000,000 for the decade from 2003 to 2012.
This leap of faith was bolstered by generous and providential endowments, and, by 2012, Trinity’s gifts through the Saint Francis Fund resulted in disbursements of $2,989,439.24 for the first 20 years, just short of the goal for the second decade.
The Saint Francis Fund currently focuses its disbursement of grants on projects and programs in the Columbus area. The work of the Saint Francis Fund continues in the spirit of Saint Francis himself, who asked to be made “an instrument of God’s peace,” alleviating hatred, injury, discord, doubt, despair, darkness, and sadness.
Application Process
At present, applications to the Saint Francis Fund are received annually, in the fall. The committee may consider applications for emergency relief efforts at any time. Applicants must reapply each year to be considered for a grant that year.
Once complete, applications may be submitted by email to Trinity’s parish administrator, Mary Hurley, or they can be mailed or hand-delivered to Trinity at the following address:
Saint Francis Fund
c/o Trinity Episcopal Church
1130 First Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901
All completed grant applications are considered during a meeting of the Saint Francis Fund Committee, which is comprised of volunteer parishioners at Trinity. Applications are subject to the availability of funds, and may be held or tabled until funds are available for disbursement. Applicants may be asked by the Committee to provide additional information, to attend a meeting of the Committee, or to meet with an individual Committee member. In the past, the Committee has requested an opportunity to meet with an applying organization “on-site,” if feasible. Award decisions are announced sometime around the Feast of Saint Francis (October 4th). Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision by email. Please contact the church office if you have any questions.
This Year’s Grant Recipients
Award year: 2024
- Open Door Community House
- Chattahoochee Valley Jail Ministry (SafeHouse Ministries)
- Bridge
- Uptown Outreach Ministries
- House of T.I.M.E.
- Boy Scout Troops 6 & 7, Pack 6
- Steward Community Home
- Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry