St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities
Response to Current Economic Conditions

St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities (the Charities) is committed to Advancing Community Health:  Body, Mind & Spirit.  We intend to maintain this commitment despite the current economic climate.

As a result, we are aware that many nonprofit organizations are experiencing difficult challenges.  In order to be most responsive, we would like to keep you apprised on a regular basis about how we can best serve you. Regarding grantmaking, the Charities is mindful of our commitment to the communities we serve, and we will make every effort to minimize reductions in funding.  Like other foundations, we have seen a significant reduction in our assets.  Because we use a 12 quarter averaging of asset values to determine how much we can distribute, our 2009 grantmaking budget was very similar to our 2008 budget.  However, we are anticipating a decrease in our funding capacity throughout 2010 and 2011.  The Charities’ first commitment is to our current grantees.  Our funding for new programs and for first-time applicants is very limited.  The Charities will continue to fund grants for operating support and program services, as well as for organizational capacity building efforts to enhance effectiveness and leadership.  Funding for capital requests will be by invitation only.

As always, but with much more attention now, we are pursuing enhanced, strategic capacity building efforts.  Along the same lines, our research focus for 2010 will serve to enhance these capacity building efforts, with the explicit intention of sustaining strong and healthy nonprofits.  We envision more emphasis on collaboration and co-funding, and encourage more dialogue with like-minded agencies.  Together, we can continue to provide a strong safety net for those most in need and most underserved.

The Board of Directors and the staff of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities hope the above information is helpful and we invite you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.  As always, we value your input and your innovative approach to helping the underserved.  Please feel free to e-mail us at [email protected].

Download St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities - Response to Current Economic Conditions. 

Grants Overview

St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities provides grants to non-profit organizations, which are tax-exempt under Sections 501(c)(3) or 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Since its inception in 1997, The Charities has awarded nearly $80 million through over 1,500 grants to 320 nonprofit health service organizations throughout the 57 counties of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Working with community-based organizations throughout the Diocese, the Charities identifies high priority community health needs, especially among the underserved and communicates grant opportunities, evaluates funding proposals, and distributes funds to community-based non-profit organizations according to their needs and the Charities' priorities. Current priority areas include the following:

• Primary Health
• Dental Health
• Mental Health
• Social Services including food pantries, after school programs and homelessness

Funding History (1997 to present)

• Total Dollars Awarded $80 million
  
• Total Number of Grants 1,500