The Episcopal Community Services builds Episcopal identity, collaboration and community in nothern Ohio through strategic grant-making on behalf of the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.

Through Episcopal Community Services (ECS) parishes apply for and receive financial support to create partnerships that strengthen communities, give in spiritual fidelity to God, and serve the world as the very body of Jesus.

Funding Criteria

• Encourage education and advocacy
• Strong Episcopal Church participation and support
• Volunteerism: Important to engage Episcopal volunteers from our congregations
• Our funds for grants will be limited, and therefore we will be giving priority to parish programs over community programs

Objectives

• To serve those in critical need through Episcopal parish programming, parishioners, and collaborative community services;
• To encourage liberation of those in need through education and through advocating for change in systems that create need;
• To adhere to our theological mandate to "do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God." Micah 6:8

Recent accomplishments

• In 2026, the Council granted nearly $158,000, distributed among 23 grant applicants, representing a diversity of ministries and missions across the Diocese. 
• All current grant recipients have had an in-person site visit conducted in the past three years by ECS council members, eight of these in 2026.
• Explored understanding of what all areas of ECS Development Council means to council  members.  Tools and forms for all ECS grants were updated and utilized effectively and consistently.

Development Council Members