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THE WARD J. HERBERT FUND |
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The Ward J. Herbert Fund & ECLF The Ward J. Herbert Fund Board provides funds for buildings that are used for
congregational functions. Top priority is given to funds for deterioration of structure, hazards, and emergencies,
such as inoperative boilers. The fund's second priority is interior and exterior renovation to provide for expanded
mission of the congregation. Grants from the Ward J. Herbert Fund must be matched dollar for dollar. September 15 for December funding · May 15 for September funding
HISTORY OF THE WARD J. HERBERT FUND
The 112th Convention resolved that a campaign to raise capital funds with a goal of $3,500,000 be undertaken; the income of this fund to be used exclusively for the restoration, repair, improvement, beautification and otherwise to extend the usefulness of the churches and buildings of the diocese. A plan was then prepared by the Diocesan Council and presented to the 113th Convention. A Church Structures Campaign Committee was established and after a six month study reported on the potential for such diocesan assistance. The Committee agreed that many individuals and congregations had the financial potential to provide the corpus of a capital fund -- the income of which could be used for matching grants to congregations to restore, improve and beautify existing buildings. This was recognized as an issue of mutual responsibility and the intention was to offer a plan for a capital fund to which all congregations would contribute and from which most, when ready, could seek assistance. It was planned that $1,225,000 be raised by the Bishop and Clergy of the diocese through advanced gifts and that $2,225,000 be raised through voluntary congregational pledges over a five year period beginning with 1988. The five year pledge was 25% of a congregation's 1986 pledge income as reported in the Diocesan Journal. The 114th Convention directed the Diocesan Council to raise $2,000,000 to establish a capital fund, the income of which would be used for matching grants for the repair and restoration of church structures in the diocese. The Bishop and Clergy were to raise $1,000,000 through advanced gifts and $1,000,000 was to be raised through congregations. The congregational pledge would be based on 11.8% a year of each church's 1986 fair share (or a minimum of $150 per year) over five years. The following suggestions were made for raising congregational shares:
It was at this convention that the fund was named the Ward J. Herbert Endowment Fund. By the time of the 115th Convention, the Church Structures Campaign Committee reported that the campaign was nearly completed. With few exceptions, all churches responded to the campaign; 105 pledged exactly what was asked of them, 14 pledged amounts that exceeded the amount asked. The total pledge was $918,000. Fund membership and criteria were established and the board began its work in the spring of 1990. Since then, 157 grants have been made to almost that many churches (some have received more than one grant, sometimes three). The grantees come from urban, suburban and rural areas of the diocese. They are small and large. But all were in need. Since 1990, the total granted is nearly $2 million. Unfortunately, requests far exceed means.
WARD J. HERBERT FUND CRITERIA(adopted at the 115th Diocesan Convention, January 1989)
MATCHING GRANT 50/50 The grant from the Ward J. Herbert Fund must be matched dollar for dollar by the applicant congregation. This can be accomplished by:
EVALUATION PROCEDURES FOR GRANT PROPOSAL Each proposal shall include:
1. At the Board's first meeting in each funding period, the proposal will be reviewed to determine if it meets the criteria for need. If it does not, the submitter will be notified immediately with reasons for its rejection. 2. After the review process, the proposals will be assigned to two person liaison teams plus the Diocesan Property Manager to contact the project director, diocesan staff, and, when appropriate, the DOM representatives, regarding feasibilities of the plan and potential for success. 3. The liaison team will report back to the next meeting of the Board. A hearing before the full Board will be held for any request of $10,000 or more. 4. Diocesan Council vote on recommendation: majority vote on a yes recommendation, 2/3 of those present to override a negative recommendation. 5. Follow up: Any change in plan of action must be approved in advance. Prior to each partial payment there will be periodic checks by the liaison team. The following amendments to the above criteria were adopted by the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board on October 29, 1990, and ratified by the Diocesan Council on December 12, 1990. 1. Any building that is the subject of a money request for repairs or other work should be used for congregational functions. 2. The Statement of Commitment to the planned project should include the support of the Priest in Charge, the Wardens and members of the Vestry/Executive Committee. 3. In the event that funds are sought to correct a building code violation, the application should include a statement from the appropriate authority that the work described will satisfy the outstanding requirements. 4. Demonstrated stewardship on the part of the congregation will be taken into consideration during the deliberations and decision process by the Board. The following statement to the Evaluation Procedures was adopted by the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board on October 26, 1992, and ratified by the Diocesan Council on December 9, 1992: A current church audit must be on file with the Diocesan Finance Office as required by Canon I.7 of the National Church before funds will be dispersed. The following statement to the Evaluation Procedures was adopted by the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board on September 16, 1996, and ratified by the Diocesan Council on December 11, 1996: Parochial Reports must be current at the time of submission of the application.
Without a current parochial report on file with the Diocesan Finance Office, an application will not be considered
for funding by the Board.
EPISCOPAL CAPITAL LOAN FUND Click here for the application form in PDF format.
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