Parish Planned Giving Matching Grant

The Parish Planned Giving Matching Grant Application is administered through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Parish Planned Giving initiative, with funding made possible through the generosity of Leadership 100. The program provides matching seed funding to parishes that are establishing or advancing planned giving programs through dedicated endowments. The purpose is closely tied to parish fiscal sustainability and thoughtful long-term financial planning. In the first phase, ten matching seed grants of $25,000 each are available to the endowments of qualifying parishes, representing $250,000 in stated first-phase grant funding. The grant is intended specifically for parish-based endowments. An independent 501(c)(3) endowment is not eligible in this round; the endowment must be within the parish. The first round is designated for workshop attendees, and applications from workshop participants will be prioritized. The program materials also indicate that additional funding for more parishes may become available in the future. Applicants are expected to demonstrate an established or advancing planned giving program and provide documentation supporting the governance, administration, investment, gift acceptance, donor commitment, and financial structure of the endowment. Matching seed funding is required for consideration. The application identifies a $25,000 grant and indicates preference for parishes that have met the full match requirement. Matching funds should be direct gifts rather than pledges, with the form of gift, such as cash, stocks, or securities, and the date received identified. Seed gifts generally need to have been received after the parish's workshop date. The FAQ provides limited flexibility: a parish with at least half of the matching funds in hand and the remainder committed may apply, although preference may be given to applicants with the full match amount in place. A bequest notification received within the last calendar year may also be considered for matching purposes even when the funds have not yet been received. The application requires parish identifying information, including parish name and address, Proistamenos, Parish Council President, and workshop participation information. Documentation for review includes current financial statements for the parish and endowment, the endowment founding document or bylaws, investment policy, gift acceptance policy, donor commitment form, information regarding the Endowment Advisory Board, giving guidelines, an aligned brokerage account, and evidence of secured seed funds for the match. Applicants must also submit a Strategic Sustainability Statement explaining how the endowment and its ultimate funding stream contribute to the parish's overall financial health. The statement should address alignment with the parish strategic plan, annual stewardship and capital endeavors, as well as promotion, accounting, and reporting for funding to and from the endowment. Seed donor testimonials, favorable statements of support, and information about planned-gift commitments directed to the endowment are also requested. The materials show that evaluation centers on fiscal sustainability, readiness, and the strength of the parish's endowment and matching-fund structure. The funder states that reviewing the endowment in the context of holistic parish health reinforces the objective of thoughtful financial planning. Workshop attendees receive priority in the first round, and preference is given to parishes that have met the full matching requirement. Accordingly, applicants should demonstrate not only that the required endowment infrastructure exists but also that the endowment is integrated with parish strategy, stewardship, capital planning, accounting, reporting, donor engagement, and long-term financial health. The first application deadline is September 15, 2026. Applications are to be submitted to Melpomeni Murdakes, Director of Parish Planned Giving, at mmurdakes@goarch.org. The supplied materials do not state a separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal deadline, formal application opening date, award notification date, or defined grant performance period. Parishes receiving one of the initial grants must submit an impact statement on May 1, 2027, described as six months following the awarding of funds. That report must address the current status of endowment funds, new seed or planned giving commitments, promotional activities, and corresponding developments in stewardship or capital endeavors. The materials anticipate additional matching grants at a future date but do not establish a regular annual, quarterly, or other recurring application schedule.

Prioritize having the full $25,000 match in place because preference may be given to parishes meeting the full match; document workshop participation because first-round funding is designated for workshop attendees and prioritized accordingly; ensure the endowment is within the parish rather than an independent 501(c)(3); demonstrate how the endowment supports holistic parish fiscal sustainability and aligns with strategic planning, stewardship, and capital endeavors; use direct gifts rather than pledges for matching funds and identify gift form and date received; highlight relevant sections when multiple required items are contained in one document