United Thank Offering Grants Archives – The Episcopal Church

United Thank Offering: Over $1M awarded for projects welcoming ‘the stranger’

Office of Public Affairs — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 18:34:27 +0000

The Episcopal Church Executive Council approved more than $1 million in United Thank Offering grants supporting 20 innovative mission and ministry projects during its April meeting.

The funds come from the United Thank Offering’s yearly Ingathering, which includes monies collected in “blue boxes” at Episcopal churches, designated as thank offerings. This year’s total includes a special matching challenge grant to raise funds for the ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

This is the second of a three-year United Thank Offering grant focus on Matthew 25. This year’s grants fund projects that explore new, meaningful ways to welcome people with differences that cause isolation, as well as projects that encourage truth-telling, acknowledging historic trauma, and establishing a path toward healing. The 2023 grants supported projects related to the worldwide incarceration crisis.

“Everyone has felt left out at some point in their life, but Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 are all about people who are regularly left out or underserved in mainstream societies,” said Sherri Dietrich, board president of the United Thank Offering. “This year’s grants will support some really thoughtful projects that specifically focus on including these people, projects that will change the lives of people around the world and could become models for other churches and groups to use in projects of their own.”

The UTO Board received about $3.1 million in requests from 57 applications. It was able to fund 20 projects within The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, including four historical grants.

Grant recipients are listed below by category. Read details about each project.

Episcopal Church Awards

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago – Community-Based Accompaniment for People Seeking Asylum: $40,495
Episcopal Diocese of Cuba – Shortening Distances, Bridging Gaps: Labor Missionary Without Barriers: $19,660
Episcopal Diocese of Easton – Easton English School at Trinity: $30,000
Episcopal Diocese of Eau Clare – Province V: Engaging Gender Complexity: $55,000
Episcopal Diocese of Ecuador Litoral – Inclusion, Equality, and the Opportunity to Learn Together: $55,000
Episcopal Migration Ministries – Rainbow Asylum Ministry: $55,000
Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota – Shepherd’s Tale: $43,150
Episcopal Diocese of Venezuela – José Gregorio Hernández Pastoral Health Project: $55,000

Anglican Communion Awards

Bilateral Partner: Brazil, Diocese of Recife – People are Made to Shine!: $55,000
Covenant Partner: Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America, Diocese of Guatemala – House of Love for the Chronically Ill: $54,000
Congo, Diocese of Bukavu – Multi-Service Center for the Holistic Care of Women Victims of Violence: $54,938
Kenya, Diocese of Bondo – St. Timothy’s Children’s Hope Center: $48,900
Korea, Diocese of Busan – Empowerment through Café Inclusion: $9,200
Korea, Diocese of Daejeon – Another Home, One Family: $55,000
Mozambique and Angola, Diocese of Rio Pungue – Construction of a Welcome Center: $55,000
Tanzania, Diocese of Tabora – An Inclusive Shelter & Empowerment Center: Building for the Marginalized and Disadvantaged: $48,500

Historical Grant Awards

The Archives of The Episcopal Church – Records of the Women of the Church: Preservation and Digitization Project: $35,000
Global Partnerships – Discernment for the Second Half of Life: $45,000
Episcopal Migration Ministries – The Great EpisGOpal Race: $1,729.96
Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East – 2024 Challenge Grant for Jerusalem: $187,260.82

Since 1889, the United Thank Offering has awarded more than 5,400 grants for over $144 million. Download the “Full List on UTO Grants 1883-2024” on this page. Learn more about the United Thank Offering.

La Ofrenda Unida de Gracias otorga más de 1 millón de dólares para proyectos que acogen «al forastero»

El Consejo Ejecutivo de la Iglesia Episcopal aprobó más de $1 millón [dólares estadounidenses] en subvenciones de la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias para apoyar 20 proyectos innovadores de misión y ministerio durante su reunión de abril.

Los fondos provienen de la Recolección anual de la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias, que incluye dinero recaudado en «cajas azules» en las iglesias episcopales, y que se designan como ofrendas de gracias. El total de este año incluye una subvención especial complementaria al objeto de recaudar fondos para los ministerios de la Diócesis Episcopal de Jerusalén y el Medio Oriente.

Esta es la segunda de una subvención trienal de la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias que se centra en Mateo 25. Las subvenciones de este año financian proyectos que exploran formas nuevas y significativas de acoger a personas con diferencias que provocan aislamiento, así como proyectos que alientan a decir la verdad, reconocer los traumas y establecer un camino hacia la recuperación. Las subvenciones de 2023 respaldaron proyectos relacionados con la crisis mundial de encarcelamiento.

«Todo el mundo se ha sentido excluido en algún momento de su vida, pero las palabras de Jesús en Mateo 25 se refieren a personas que habitualmente son excluidas o desatendidas en las sociedades tradicionales», dijo Sherri Dietrich, presidente de la junta directiva de la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias. «Las subvenciones de este año apoyarán algunos proyectos realmente reflexivos que se centran específicamente en incluir a estas personas, proyectos que cambiarán las vidas de personas en todo el mundo y podrían convertirse en modelos para que otras iglesias y grupos los utilicen en sus propios proyectos».

La Junta de la OTU recibió alrededor de 3,1 millones de dólares en 57 solicitudes. Pudo financiar 20 proyectos dentro de la Iglesia Episcopal y la Comunión Anglicana, incluidas cuatro subvenciones históricas.

Los beneficiarios de las subvenciones se listan a continuación por categorías. Léanse detalles acerca de cada proyecto.

Subvenciones de la Iglesia Episcopal

Diócesis Episcopal de Chicago – Acompañamiento comunitario para personas que buscan asilo: $40.495.
Diócesis Episcopal de Cuba – Acortando distancias, salvando brechas: Trabajo misionero sin barreras: $19.660.
Diócesis Episcopal de Easton – Escuela de Inglés Easton en La Trinidad [Trinity]: $30.000.
Diócesis Episcopal de Eau Clare – V Provincia: Abordando la Complejidad de Género: $55.000.
Diócesis Episcopal del Ecuador Litoral – Inclusión, Igualdad y Oportunidad de Aprender Juntos: $55.000.
Ministerio Episcopal de Migración – Ministerio de Asilo Arcoíris: $55.000.
Diócesis Episcopal de Dakota del Sur – Shepherd’s Tale: $43.150.
Diócesis Episcopal de Venezuela – Proyecto Pastoral de Salud José Gregorio Hernández: $55.000

Subvenciones de la Comunión Anglicana

Asociada bilateral: Brasil, Diócesis de Recife – ¡La gente está hecha para brillar!: $55.000.
Asociada de Pacto: Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América, Diócesis de Guatemala – Casa de Amor para los Enfermos Crónicos: $54.000.
Congo, Diócesis de Bukavu – Centro multiservicio para la atención integral de mujeres víctimas de violencia: $54.938.
Kenia, Diócesis de Bondo – Centro de Esperanza para Niños de San Timoteo [St. Timothy]: $48.900.
Corea, Diócesis de Busan – Emancipación a través de la inclusión del Café: $9.200.
Corea, Diócesis de Daejeon – Otro hogar, una familia: $55.000.
Mozambique y Angola, Diócesis de Rio Pungue – Construcción de un Centro de Bienvenida: $55.000.
Tanzania, Diócesis de Tabora – Un centro inclusivo de refugio y emancipación: edificio para los marginados y desfavorecidos: $48.500.

Subvenciones históricas

Archivos de la Iglesia Episcopal – Registros de las Mujeres de la Iglesia: Proyecto de Preservación y Digitalización: $35.000.
Asociaciones Globales – Discernimiento para la Segunda Mitad de la Vida: $45.000.
Ministerio Episcopal de Migración – La Gran Carrera EpisGOpal: $1.729,96
Diócesis Episcopal de Jerusalén y Medio Oriente – Subvención Desafío 2024 para Jerusalén: $187.260,82.

Desde 1889, la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias ha otorgado más de 5.400 subvenciones por más de 144 millones de dólares. Descargue la «Lista completa de subvenciones de la UTO 1883-2024» en esta página. Obtenga más información acerca de la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias.

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United Thank Offering matching grant nets $187K for Jerusalem diocese

Office of Public Affairs — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 17:53:56 +0000

Thanks to generous gifts to a recent United Thank Offering matching challenge, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem will receive more than $187,000 to help meet immediate needs and ease suffering in the Holy Land.

In partnership with the upcoming Good Friday Offering, the United Thank Offering invited gifts during November and December—promising a match up to $100,000—to help sustain outreach efforts in the diocese, which operates across several countries or territories and includes churches, schools, medical facilities, and other ministries.

The church’s Good Friday Offering, in its 102nd year, also goes toward Episcopal and Anglican siblings in Jerusalem and the Middle East. This year’s offering includes an online concert of sacred music, which will be livestreamed on The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page and website at 3 p.m. ET March 29.

“We are extremely grateful for the ministry of the United Thank Offering, as it has supported our service to Christ here in the Holy Land for many years—particularly since Oct. 7,” said Archbishop Hosam Naoum, bishop of the diocese, referring to the start of recent conflict in the region.

“The staff and volunteers of our Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza have worked around the clock to alleviate the suffering of hundreds of patients brought through its gates each week,” Naoum said. “Please continue to pray and advocate on behalf of all those who suffer throughout the Holy Land, even as we seek a just and lasting peace in the very land where our Lord Jesus Christ took up his cross for our sake.”

United Thank Offering Board President Sherri Dietrich said the challenge grant goal of $100,000 was the highest goal the board has set, surpassing a 2019 challenge of $60,000.

“We knew many people wanted to do something to help Israel and Palestine but didn’t know what to do,” she said. “We are very happy to have received many donations from new donors, as well as offerings from faithful United Thank Offering participants.”

She noted the generous response to the grant challenge is “overwhelming.”

“I know the Diocese of Jerusalem and the people who benefit from this grant will be so grateful for your gifts, as is the United Thank Offering Board,” she said.

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Matching grant challenge to support ministries of Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

Office of Public Affairs — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:26:35 +0000

UPDATE (12.5.23): This release was revised to reflect a deadline extension to Dec. 31.

The United Thank Offering—in partnership with the Good Friday Offering—will match up to $100,000 of donations given through Dec. 31 to help sustain outreach ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which operates across several countries or territories and includes churches, schools, medical facilities, and other ministries.

“United Thank Offering has supported the diocese with over $1 million in grants since 1973, thanks to the generosity of Episcopalians everywhere,” said UTO Board President Sherri Dietrich. “We know people want to help those projects continue their work through and after the current heartbreaking conflict; this challenge grant will allow us all to make a powerful contribution to those impacted by this conflict.”

Matched donations to the United Thank Offering will be given in 2024 as a grant to the diocese to disburse where the needs are greatest.

The impact of the conflict in the region is “grave,” impacting the diocese’s guesthouses, medical centers, training centers, schools, and more, noted Sawsan Arani-Batato, programs development officer. “Sustaining our institutions is an urgent need for the diocese, and this initiative responds directly to this need.”

The Good Friday Offering of The Episcopal Church has been funding work in the region for more than 100 years. “It is a privilege and honor to partner with the United Thank Offering in continuing our joint history of caring, loving, and supporting the needs of the people of God,” said Archdeacon Paul Feheley, Middle East partnership officer for The Episcopal Church.

Learn more about the challenge grant.

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United Thank Offering invites 2024 annual grant applicants

Office of Public Affairs — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:46:39 +0000

The United Thank Offering Board is pleased to announce the availability of its 2024 UTO Annual Grants, with a focus on projects that welcome and include “the stranger.” Application deadlines are Dec. 1 for Anglican Communion partners and Jan. 19 for dioceses of The Episcopal Church.

More information—including criteria for applicants, sample budgets and timelines, and helpful hints—as well as application and other forms are available online in English and Spanish. Instructional videos created by the UTO grants committee will be posted online.

In addition, informational webinars will be held throughout the fall, as well as monthly open office hours for staff to work directly with applicants on their materials. See dates and registration links.

This is the second of a three-year United Thank Offering grant focus on those whom society has left out and behind, in the spirit of Matthew 25:36. The 2023 grants—recently approved—support 22 projects related to the worldwide incarceration crisis. The 2024 grants will fund projects that welcome people with differences that cause isolation and that encourage truth-telling, acknowledging historic trauma, and establishing a path toward healing.

Applications may be submitted in advance of the deadlines for review and feedback. View timeline of important dates.

Learn more about the United Thank Offering, a ministry of The Episcopal Church.

La Ofrenda Unida de Gracias invita a solicitantes de subvenciones anuales de 2024

La Junta Directiva de la Ofrenda Unida de [Acción de] Gracias (UTO por su sigla en inglés) se complace en anunciar que las subvenciones anuales de la UTO para 2024, que se centran en proyectos que acogen e incluyen «al forastero», se encuentran actualmente disponibles para optar por ellas. Las fechas límite de solicitud son el 1 de diciembre para los socios de la Comunión Anglicana y el 19 de enero para las diócesis de la Iglesia Episcopal.

Más información —incluidos los criterios para los solicitantes, ejemplos de presupuestos y cronogramas, y consejos útiles— así como solicitudes y otros formularios se pueden obtener en línea en inglés y en español. Los videos didácticos creados por el comité de subvenciones de la UTO también se publican en línea.

Además, seminarios informativos en la red tendrán lugar durante todo el otoño, así como horarios de oficina mensuales para que el personal trabaje directamente con los solicitantes en sus materiales. Véanse fechas y enlaces de inscripción.

Esta es la segunda de una subvención de tres años de la Ofrenda Unida de [Acción de] Gracias que se centra en aquellos a quienes la sociedad ha marginado y dejado a la zaga, en el espíritu de Mateo 25:36. Las subvenciones de 2023, aprobadas recientemente, apoyan 22 proyectos relacionados con la crisis mundial de encarcelamiento. Las subvenciones de 2024 financiarán proyectos que acojan a personas con diferencias que provocan aislamiento y alienten a decir la verdad, reconocer traumas históricos y establecer una vía hacia la recuperación.

Las solicitudes pueden enviarse antes de las fechas límite para su revisión y comentarios. Véase el cronograma de fechas importantes.

Infórmese más acerca de la Ofrenda Unida de Gracias, un ministerio de la Iglesia Episcopal.

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United Thank Offering: Over $1M awarded for projects addressing incarceration crisis

Office of Public Affairs — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:15:43 +0000

More than $1 million in United Thank Offering grants—designated for 22 projects related to the worldwide incarceration crisis within The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion—was approved by the church’s Executive Council during its June meeting.

The funds came from the United Thank Offering’s 2022 Ingathering, where monies collected in UTO “blue boxes” at Episcopal churches throughout the year are gathered as thank offerings.

This year’s focus for grant applications was projects addressing the worldwide incarceration crisis, specifically preventative programs and intervention, prisoner support outreach, prison reform work, or post-prison reentry.

“The worldwide incarceration crisis affects us all, whether or not we know someone directly affected by incarceration,” said UTO Board President Sherri Dietrich. “Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 and the Way of Love encourage us to work for justice in the world and to respect the dignity of every human being, including prisoners and their families. The grants UTO funded this year will create that ministry in new places around the world.”

The UTO Board received about $2.6 million in requests from 49 applications. It was able to fund eight projects within The Episcopal Church and one project from a diocese that receives a block grant from General Convention; 12 projects within the Anglican Communion; and three historical grants.

Grant recipients are listed below by category. Read details about each project.

Episcopal Church Awards

Episcopal Diocese of Arizona — Building Bridges: $55,000
Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem — Cyprus House Bakery: $50,000
Episcopal Diocese of Chicago — St. Leonard’s Ministries and St. Andrew’s Church: Community Gathering Space: $100,000
Episcopal Diocese of Ecuador Litoral — Sowing Love and Education: $79,604.14
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa — Well Time 2.0: Empowering Reentry: $22,048
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland — Partner for Success: $31,408
Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma — Diocesan Justice Liaison Project: $50,299
Episcopal Diocese of Western New York — Enhancing Human Rights through Clergy Jail Monitoring: $37,500

Anglican Communion Awards

Bilateral Partner: Brazil, Missionary District — Young People Republic of Compassionate Anglicans of Campo Verde: $55,000
Bilateral Partner: Brazil, Southern Diocese — Guitar and Flute Apprentices for Socially Vulnerable Children: $1,207
Covenant Partner: Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America, Diocese of Costa Rica — Enabling Recreational Space in the area of Siquirres: $55,000
Covenant Partner: Mexico, Diocese of Cuernavaca — Itinerant Church: Brother Filemon: $39,040
Burundi, Diocese of Buhiga — Construction of Buhiga Social Integration Center: $55,000
Kenya, Diocese of Butere — ACK Butere Tailoring School: $56,102.45
Kenya, Diocese of Thika — Youth Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation Program: $51,288.87
Middle East, Diocese of Jerusalem — Improving the Wellbeing of the Vulnerable Prisoners in Palestine: $54,000
Tanzania, Diocese of Kondoa — Empowering Clothing: Adolescent Girls and the Elderly: $55,000
Tanzania, Diocese of Tanga — Establishment of Palliative Care Services in Prisons: $53,928.98
West Africa, Diocese of Ghana — Ankaful Prison Support Outreach: $38,422

Historical Grant Awards

Presiding Bishop in Partnership with the Diocese of Zambezia — Church Versus Criminality: $50,600
Emery Trust No. 335 Award — Episcopal Service Corps: Resiliency Training and Education: $81,000
The Great EpisGOpal Race — Episcopal Migration Ministries: Neighbor to Neighbor: $8,152.10

Every penny given to the United Thank Offering is given away to support innovative mission and ministry. Since 1889, UTO has awarded more than 5,400 grants for over $142 million. Click the “Resources” tab on this page to view a complete list of all UTO grants. Learn more about the United Thank Offering.

Ofrenda Unida de Gracias: Se otorgaron más de $1 millón para proyectos que abordan la crisis del encarcelamiento

El Consejo Ejecutivo de la Iglesia Episcopal aprobó, en su reunión de junio, más de $1 millón en subvenciones de la Ofrenda Unida [de Acción] de Gracias, designadas para 22 proyectos dentro de la Iglesia Episcopal y en la Comunión Anglicana relacionados con la crisis mundial del encarcelamiento.

Los fondos provinieron de la Recolección de 2022 de la Ofrenda Unida [de Acción] de Gracias, en que el dinero que se recauda en las iglesias episcopales durante todo el año en las «cajas azules» de la UTO (por su sigla en inglés) se reúne como ofrenda de acción de gracias.

El enfoque de este año para las solicitudes de subvenciones fueron los proyectos que abordan la crisis mundial del encarcelamiento, específicamente los programas preventivos y la intervención, el apoyo a los presos, así como la labor en pro de la reforma penitenciaria o la reinserción [a la sociedad] luego de la prisión.

«La crisis mundial del encarcelamiento nos afecta a todos, ya sea que conozcamos o no a alguien directamente afectado por el encarcelamiento», dijo Sherri Dietrich, la presidente de la Junta Directiva de la UTO. «Las palabras de Jesús en Mateo 25 y el Camino del Amor nos animan a trabajar por la justicia en el mundo y a respetar la dignidad de todo ser humano, incluidos los presos y sus familias. Las subvenciones que la UTO financió este año crearán ese ministerio en nuevos lugares alrededor del mundo».

La Junta Directiva de la UTO recibió 49 solicitudes por cerca de $2,6 millones, y pudo financiar ocho proyectos dentro de la Iglesia Episcopal y un proyecto de una diócesis que recibe una subvención global de la Convención General; 12 proyectos en el ámbito de la Comunión Anglicana y tres subvenciones históricas.

Los beneficiarios de las subvenciones se enumeran a continuación por categoría. Léanse aquí los detalles acerca de cada proyecto.

Subvenciones en la Iglesia Episcopal

Diócesis Episcopal de Arizona — Tendiendo puentes [Building Bridges]: $55.000
Diócesis Episcopal de Bethlehem — Pastelería Casa Chipre [Cyprus House Bakery]: $50.000.
Diócesis Episcopal de Chicago — Ministerio de San Leonardo e Iglesia de San Andrés: espacio de reunión comunitaria [St. Leonard’s Ministries and St. Andrew’s Church: Community Gathering Space]: $100.000.
Diócesis Episcopal de Ecuador Litoral — Sembrar Amor y Educación [Sowing Love and Education]: $79.604,14.
Diócesis Episcopal de Iowa — Well Time 2.0: Potenciar la Reinserción [Empowering Reentry]: $22.048.
Diócesis Episcopal de Maryland — Asociado para el Éxito [Partner for Success]: $31.408.
Diócesis Episcopal de Oklahoma — Proyecto de Enlace de Justicia Diocesana [Diocesan Justice Liaison Project]: $50.299.
Diócesis Episcopal de Nueva York Occidental— Expandir los Derechos Humanos mediante la Supervisión Clerical de la Cárcel [Enhancing Human Rights through Clergy Jail Monitoring]: $37.500.

Subvenciones en la Comunión Anglicana

Asociado bilateral: Brasil, Distrito Misionero: República Juvenil de Anglicanos Compasivos de Campo Verde: $55.000.
Asociado bilateral: Brasil, Diócesis del Sur — Aprendices de guitarra y flauta para niños socialmente vulnerables: $1.207.
Asociado del Pacto: Iglesia Anglicana de la Región Central de América, Diócesis de Costa Rica — Habilitación de un espacio recreativo en la zona de Siquirres: $55.000.
Asociado del Pacto: México, Diócesis de Cuernavaca — Iglesia Itinerante: Hermano Filemón: $39.040.
Burundi, Diócesis de Buhiga — Construcción del Centro de Integración Social de Buhiga: $55.000.
Kenia, Diócesis de Butere — Escuela de Sastrería ACK Butere: $56.102,45.
Kenia, Diócesis de Thika — Programa para la Prevención de la Delincuencia Juvenil y de Rehabilitación: $51.288,87.
Oriente Medio, Diócesis de Jerusalén — [Programa para] Mejorar el Bienestar de los Presos Vulnerables en Palestina: $54.000.
Tanzania, Diócesis de Kondoa — Ropa que Confiere Poder: Muchachas y Personas Mayores [Empowering Clothing: Adolescent Girls and the Elderly]: $55.000.
Tanzania, Diócesis de Tanga — Establecimiento de Servicio de Atención Paliativa en Prisiones: $53.928,98.
África Occidental, Diócesis de Ghana — Programa de Apoyo a la Prisión de Ankaful: $38.422.

Subvenciones históricas

El Obispo Primado en asociación con la Diócesis de Zambezia: la Iglesia versus Delincuencia: $50.600.
Subvención No. 335 del Fondo Emery: Cuerpo de Servicio Episcopal: Adiestramiento y capacitación en la resistencia: $81.000.
El Gran Evento EpisGOpal: Ministerio Episcopal de Migración: De vecino a vecino [Neighbor to Neighbor]: $8.152,10.

Cada centavo que se entrega a la Ofrenda Unida de Acción de Gracias se dona para apoyar una misión y un ministerio innovadores. Desde 1889, la UTO ha otorgado más de 5400 subvenciones por más de $142 millones. Pulse la pestaña que dice «Resources» en esta página para ver una lista completa de todas las subvenciones de la UTO. Infórmese más acerca de la Ofrenda Unida de [Acción de] Gracias .

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Upcoming Grant Webinars and Deadlines

United Thank Offering — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 12:04:00 +0000

By Joyce Landers, Vice President of the United Thank Offering Board

We want to remind everyone of our upcoming deadlines. January 10 will be the last full set of webinars. They will cover the timeline page and other miscellaneous forms. As before, they will be held at noon and 7 p.m. EST; the link to register can be found on the helpful hints page. There will be an open webinar for questions only on Feb. 14 at noon EST, and you must register to attend that as well.

We strongly encourage all applicants to submit as early as possible. The last few weeks of the granting cycle becomes very busy for our staff officer, and we have established deadlines regarding how much assistance you may receive. February 24 is the last day you may receive a full review of a draft application. March 3 is the last day you may receive a review of your budget for out-of-criteria items. Wednesday, March 8 is the last day applications will be reviewed for completeness. All applications will be processed as received after that point. Please share these important dates with anyone who is applying, as well as your diocesan staff.

We ask for your patience as we read and evaluate the applications. Once we make our decisions, we send them to Executive Council to approve during their June meeting. Letters will be sent out as soon as we receive that approval.

Thank you for your support of UTO, and we hope that you will join us in promoting the important practice of gratitude. Remember that 100% of all contributions to the Ingathering go toward funding life-changing ministries in the U.S. and around the world.

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UTO Grants in Action

United Thank Offering — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 11:46:00 +0000

By Heather Melton, UTO Staff Officer

Each month in our newsletter for coordinators we share a story from a grant site, thanks to our reporting processes. In 2023, we are going to share an additional story here to help tell the stories of where your thank offerings have gone and the impact that they have. We’ll also share how to get involved with or support a project that might be of interest to you. This month, we’re sharing the story of a 2022 grant to the Diocese of Lweru in Tanzania to “Construct three shallow wells in three villages of Muleba district to reduce the impact of climate change.” This is from their mid-year report, as this grant is in process.

Please tell us how the project is going so far.
The project goal is to minimize the impacts resulted from climate change by constructing two wells and planting trees in community lands. We have constructed two wells in two villages of Rubya and Karutanga; these two wells have been completed and the community has started to get clean and safe water. Right now, women and children do not walk long distances to fetch water in those villages. We have established two tree nurseries at Rubungo and Kimbugu where we have grown 3,600,000 trees. Trees will be planted soon because enough rains have started to fall.

What are you most grateful to have done with this grant so far?
The community of Rubya and Karutanga is now enjoying access to clean and safe water. Most parents say that currently there are few cases of typhoid and stomach diseases in their families. They believe that it is because of drinking clean and safe water from wells. Before construction of water wells the community members consumed water from open sources which are contaminated. Therefore, the climate change has contributed to drought and reduction of water volume to the available water sources. This led the community to use contaminated water.

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Upcoming Grant Webinars and Deadlines

United Thank Offering — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 11:26:00 +0000

By Joyce Landers, Vice President of the United Thank Offering Board

We want to remind everyone to mark your calendars for the 2023 granting cycle. Please remember that you need to register to attend any webinar using the links found on the helpful hints page.

Webinar: Jan.10 at noon and 7 p.m. EST
- Topic: Timeline and additional forms
Webinar: Feb.14 at noon EST
- Topic: Open forum

We want to remind you of the deadlines that we have set for our UTO staff regarding grant application reviews.

Feb. 24: Last day to receive a review of your application
March 3: Last day to receive a review of your budget
March 8: Last day to receive an application review for completeness.

Please remember that all applications are due by 5 p.m. EST on March 10. We highly recommend that everyone submit their application as soon as possible. The earlier you send us your application, the more assistance you will receive from our UTO staff officer. We also encourage everyone to communicate this information with your diocesan staff person in charge of overseeing UTO applications. Submitting your application to your diocesan office early does not guarantee that it will be sent to us early.

As always, we are committed to helping applicants be as successful as possible. Do not hesitate to ask questions. We look forward to seeing you in January!

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November Grant Webinars

United Thank Offering — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:44:00 +0000

By Joyce Landers, Vice President of the United Thank Offering Board

The UTO Board is offering a series of webinars to assist anyone associated with submitting an application for the 2023 granting cycle. This includes not only people involved in writing an application but also diocesan staff members, UTO coordinators, and anyone who serves on a grant selection committee.

Nov. 15 webinars:
Noon Eastern: Register in advance for this meeting
7 p.m. EST: Register in advance for this meeting
Both will center on the application forms and budget.

The Jan. 10 webinars will focus on the timeline page and what constitutes a complete application. There will be an open webinar on Feb. 14 at noon EST for last-minute questions or issues. Attendees are required to register online using the helpful hints page. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email and a reminder email containing the link to attend the Zoom meeting. These webinars are an opportunity to learn about the grant application process and to ask questions. We are dedicated to limiting these webinars to one hour, so please limit your questions to the webinar focus. Several people usually remain online after the one-hour allotment to address more timely concerns that you may have for us.

We want to assure you that we are here to help you submit the best possible application. Applicants who request guidance are typically more successful than those who do not attend our webinars. Please pass this information on to anyone in your diocese who is considering applying. We look forward to seeing you all online!

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October Webinar: Panel Discussion on the 2023 Focus

United Thank Offering — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 10:07:00 +0000

By Joyce Landers, Vice President of the United Thank Offering Board

The United Thank Offering Board is offering a webinar discussing the 2023 grants focus on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. EST. Register in advance for this meeting here.

We have invited people who are involved in ministries related to the focus to speak about their experiences as well as other ministry options. Our main speaker is the Rev. Peggy Bryan. Peggy is pastoral associate of outreach at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Silicon Valley, California, one of the richest areas in the world yet home to one of the largest jails in the country. Peggy and a team of dedicated and determined volunteers plunged into the system from three faith-driven angles: custody, re-entry and social justice. Peggy has received two UTO grants to start and then sustain the ministry during COVID-19. Chris McNabb is the Program Officer for Recruitment & Engagement with Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Neighbor to Neighbor program. Before this current role, Chris served as Priest-in-Charge at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Long Island, New York. Prior to that he was the Curate for Caritas, Justice, and Healing at Trinity Church in Princeton, NJ. When not working, Chris enjoys hanging out with his dog Lucky and exploring all that Seattle has to offer!

The purpose of this webinar is to help you understand what the 2023 grant focus entails and what kinds of projects UTO hopes to fund. Keep in mind that the focus is broad and covers a wide range of issues. This includes preventative or intervention ministries that address issues that lead to incarceration, ministries that assist current inmates and/or their families, prison reform projects, and post-prison or re-entry ministries.

When you register, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to attend the webinar. You will also receive a reminder email prior to the webinar.

The UTO Board is grateful for you and your participation in UTO. We invite you to practice gratitude often and help us to encourage others to live a gratitude-filled life.

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