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Congregational Poverty Relief Grants
Where the church meets the streets, let's be there together.
For nearly 50 years, Episcopal Impact Fund has partnered with the Episcopal community to fund programs that alleviate poverty across the Bay Area. We bring together supporters and congregations united by a shared commitment to our most vulnerable neighbors.
We offer Congregational Poverty Relief Grants of up to $5,000 to churches and ministries in the Diocese of California serving people living in poverty. Our grants support programs in food insecurity, safety net services, justice and safety, education, and healthcare — and we welcome innovative new approaches as well.
If your congregation or ministry meets the funding requirements below, we invite you to apply.
Application Cycle
Our 2026 Congregational Poverty Relief Grant application cycle is open from June 9th through July 17th.
Funding Requirements
To be eligible for a Congregational Poverty Relief Grant the applicant must be a congregation or mission of the Episcopal Diocese of California and must answer YES to these THREE questions:
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Does the program for which you are seeking funding meet one or more of these criteria?
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Your congregation or ministry is responsible for the delivery of services and the management of the program and the grant funds for which you apply.
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Members of your congregation or ministry are involved in the program’s activities as a significant number of volunteers, and/or a majority of the board or advisory committee.
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Your congregation or ministry provides material financial and/or substantial in-kind support to the program.
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Does this program offer its services to anyone experiencing poverty without regard to church membership, faith, or participation in church activities?
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Does this program serve people living in poverty in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo Counties, or the City of Palo Alto?
Frequently Asked Questions
About
Congregational Poverty Relief Grants are for up to $5,000 with an annual grant application cycle. This is subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors considers a number of factors, including but not limited to: the alignment between the program or ministry and Episcopal Impact Fund’s funding priorities, the anticipated impact and outcomes of a successful grant, program sustainability, and demonstrated need.
Yes, please email us at grants@episcopalimpact.org with any questions.
Our grants to congregations have supported seasonal and daytime shelter, supplies for our unhoused neighbors, literacy programs in local jails, preschool education, school supplies, and food insecurity assistance. We are open to funding new ideas as well.
Eligibility
Yes, your congregation is eligible to apply again.
Applying
Episcopal Impact Fund's Congregational Poverty Relief Grant application process is done online. Applicants must create an account in our system to make a submission. The system allows applicants to work and save as they go, and then submit once ready before the deadline. Snail mail, fax, or email submissions to the Impact Fund will not be considered.
Episcopal Impact Fund is currently accepting applications for our 2026 application cycle. The deadline for submission is Friday, July 17 at 11:59PM PST.
