What is the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society?
The Boston Episcopal Charitable Society was established in 1724 by a group of Anglicans in the Province of Massachusetts Bay to improve the lives of deserving Anglicans in Boston through direct financial support.
Three hundred years later, the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society continues to provide supplemental financial assistance to individuals in need in the Diocese of Massachusetts through their parish clergy.
How the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society assists people in need
Requests for one-time grants are made by parish clergy on behalf of a parishioner by completing a brief questionnaire. Requests are then reviewed by a grants committee, and turn-around time to final approval is approximately one to two weeks.
Grants can be used to help individuals and families associated with the parish who are facing difficult times due to job loss, illness or hardships of a financial nature. Funds may be used for short-term partial mortgage or rental assistance, emergency heating and utilities, basic food and clothing needs, childcare expenses, prescription medicine and medical supplies or other urgent needs as approved. In order to help as many people as possible, the maximum amount of these grants is $2,000 per individual or family. The society works within an annual grants budget and will consider individual grants until the year’s funds have been depleted.
The Boston Episcopal Charitable Society also makes a limited number of block grants annually to congregations that are located in areas of greater need. Their clergy then direct the distribution of these funds to individuals. Annual block grants are considered on the recommendation of the bishop serving as chairperson of the society along with input from the grants committee.
Parish clergy are encouraged to let the society know about members of their congregation who would benefit from the society’s help. Please contact the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society's administrator, Nina Faragher, by e-mail at boston.episcopal.1724@gmail.com with any questions about one-time or block grants or to request a questionnaire.
Membership
The Boston Episcopal Charitable Society has always been a membership society, and the dues paid by members (currently $80 per year) help keep the endowment fund healthy for current and future generations. The society welcomes new members! Anyone interested in learning more and signing up to become a member in 2025, please contact the society's administrator, Nina Faragher, at boston.episcopal.1724@gmail.com.