Mission and History


To transform lives, Episcopal Charities and Community Services supports and strengthens its partner agencies, congregational outreach programs, and other faith-based ministries of Christian service that offer hope to all people in the Diocese of Chicago.

History

For nearly fifty years, God has used the ministry of Episcopal Charities and Community Services to help transform thousands of lives in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.  Today, this life-changing social outreach is accomplished through the work of ECCS’ acclaimed partner agencies and, increasingly, through its own initiatives.

This year, Episcopal Charities will:

  • Grant nearly $700,000 to support the work of its twelve partner agencies, representing the largest single source of unrestricted grants for each agency,
  • Further support and strengthen its partner agencies by recruiting and training new members for their board of directors, by improving each agency’s fundraising through ECCS-sponsored workshops and 1:1 consulting, and by increasing awareness of each agency’s work among individuals and congregations in the Diocese through a comprehensive communication program,
  • Explore innovative ministry partnership opportunities that will provide effective, community-based responses to some of today‘s most important social problems in the Diocese of Chicago.  The ECCS established the New Ventures Fund to pursue this goal by authorizing up to $3 million over the next three years.

Episcopal Charities and Community Services is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization registered in Illinois and governed by an independent board of trustees.  Its ministry is entirely funded by charitable donations received from individuals, congregations, businesses, and foundations.  Because income from invested funds is used to pay for modest administrative costs, 100% of every dollar contributed to ECCS is applied directly to programs and agency support.

Timeline

  • 1957 - The first “United Episcopal Charities Appeal” raises $37,000 as a result of a consolidated appeal for funding to support the work of eight partner agencies.
  • 1960 - Episcopal Charities and Community Services is chartered in the State of Illinois as a 501(c)(3) public charity.’
  • 2000 - New Initiatives in Ministry grants by ECCS help local parishes develop responses that meet their community’s unique needs.
  • 2003 - Grants from The Chicago Community Trust and the Polk Bros. Foundation help ECCS launch its Capacity Building Program that helps partner agencies develop stronger governing boards, increase their fundraising, and raise visibility in the Diocese of their work.
  • 2005 - Ravenswood Community Services is approved at convention as ECCS’ newest partner agency.
  • 2006 - ECCS’ board of trustees authorizes up to $3 million over the next three years to explore new ministry partnerships through the New Ventures Fund.
  • 2008 - Unrestricted grants and other funding to partner agencies through Episcopal Charities and Community Services over the past decade surpasses $11.3 million.