Applying for Aid

​Most Episcopal Deacons serve as non-stipendiary ministry leaders in the Church (or are retired).
​Deacons tend to lack church pensions, or may not have adequate savings from secular work, to draw upon in times of crisis. ​The Fund for the Diaconate provides vital financial assistance to those who've served others and the Church. In a typical year, we provide grants to eight to twelve deacons, to help with medical and living expenses.

The Fund offers these grants for Episcopal deacons in financial need:

1. Supporting Grants​​
2. Declared Emergency Grants​​
3. Medical Grants
4. Diaconal Formation Grants

If you’re unclear as to which grant might apply to your situation, please contact The Rev. Theresa Lewallen, our Grants Administrator. Applications are accepted at any time and reviewed at the Spring or Fall Board meeting. Emergency requests are reviewed monthly. All information given to the Fund is held in confidentiality. All grants and stipends are reviewed annually, based on updated information.

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Hallenbeck Fellowship Awards
In honor of Deacon Ted Hallenbeck, these awards are offered to deacons who have demonstrated financial need, to enable them to attend conferences or educational events whose content is related to the diaconate and/or The Episcopal Church. Full details.       

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How has The Fund helped deacons in need?

• Declared Emergency grant for a young deacon and her family affected by lost income due to Covid. 
• Formation grants for three postulants: Each received assistance with mileage to formation classes (one used the entire grant for mileage); one received tuition for required courses; one received payment to cover books and CPE. Each of the three postulants also receives Social Security.
• Basic living expenses due to loss of job.

"I am a grateful recipient of a supportive grant. My thanks to The Fund for the Diaconate and all that they do. Without them, I do not know what I would have done."  
- Deacon H., Grant recipient