Is your parish geographically close to a college or university campus? Do you wish to deepen your relationship with your university neighbors? Do you want to support them in their faith lives? If you answered yes to any of these questions and you are willing to try new approaches to creatively engage your neighbors, then you may want to consider applying for a diocesan congregational grant to support university ministry.
Through funding and coaching, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington seeks to support parishes geographically close to college campuses to minister with their university neighbors. University neighbors include students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, administration, funders, parents, alumni and community partners. We are now accepting applications for congregational grants to support ministry with university neighbors for the 2025-2026 academic year. Award recipients may receive funding of up to $7,500 for the academic year, as well as coaching to support their new ministry initiatives. Interested parties may apply here. Applications are due June 15, 2025.
Two EDOW congregations were awarded grants for the 2024-2025 academic year — St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church of the Deaf and St. George’s Episcopal Church (DC). Through the grant, both St. Barnabas’ and St. George’s made strides in reforging connections with their respective university neighbors at Gallaudet University and at Howard University. The diocese seeks to continue supporting parishes like them in new ministry initiatives with campus neighbors. If you, or your worshiping community, are interested in ministering with university neighbors, learning more, or applying for the grant, contact The Rev. Amanda Akes-Cardwell, Missioner for Faith Formation and Development.
