Our Programs
Programs Available For Those In Need
Episcopal Charities has supported over fifty community outreach programs connected and sponsored by Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Ministries and programs are available to all persons in need regardless of church affiliation.
Charitable & Philanthropic Services
Through the extraordinarily generous bequest in forming the Blair and Agnes Smith Charity Fund, congregations have received close to $1.2 million dollars in grants specifically in the area of healthcare, feeding, clothing, or shelter, and other basic and related needs since 2000. An important eligibility requirement is that these ministries and programs have a clear and strong congregational connection which allows the ministry to be intricately woven into the fabric of the congregation itself. Meaning that the parish either provides a financial commitment and/or volunteer support at a significant level.
Planned Giving & Related Financial Services
Since its inception, Episcopal Charities and its predecessor, The Episcopal Foundation of Southeast Florida has provided much needed planned giving and related resources to individual congregations. These services include educational programs related to will clinics, estate planning programs, endowment structuring workshops, end of life considerations and the formation of Heritage Society Chapters.
Episcopalians historically have been extraordinarily generous and over the last twenty five years, have funded their respective parishes and congregations with well over $30 million of bequests and other testamentary gifts. There are now over twenty churches in our Diocese that have operating endowment or investment funds and over ten congregations with active Heritage Society chapters . . . (persons that have included the church in their estate plans).
Examples of Ministries Currently Being Funded
Senior Citizen’s Programs
On Tuesdays, some thirty or forty Senior Citizens
come to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach for a hot luncheon and a time for much needed interaction and socialization. This program has been in existence for over a decade and for many senior citizens is a life changing experience that provides enrichment and social stimulation to their daily routines. There are several congregations in our Diocese that have similar programs. 
Feeding
At St. George’s Center in Riviera Beach, some 700 to 800 hot meals are served each week to local residents who are marginalized and forgotten. There are four congregations that provide the volunteer and staffing needs to administer and distribute these meals. This program has had a profound impact on the ability of the underserved.
Children’s Programs
At St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Miami Lakes, middle school children have been coming to the after school program at My Backyard, since 2000, for a wonderfully enriching program to include computer use and tutorial help from compassionate and dedicated volunteers. Many of these children now have seen their interest in school increase and grades markedly improved.
For a complete list of last year's grant recipients:
2006 Blair and Agnes Smith Charity Fund Grant Recipients
2007 Human Needs Grant Funding Recipients
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