United Thank Offering Grants $2,710,247.22 to Ministries of the Church
Episcopal News Service. June 21, 2005 [062105-3]
The prominent placement of United Thank Offering (UTO) blue boxes, as well as spring and fall ingathering services planned by parish and diocesan UTO coordinators, has resulted in gifts totaling $2,710,247.22 being given away as grants that will continue to support and strengthen the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church throughout the world.
JoAnne Chapman, UTO coordinator, said this year UTO received 200 grant applications totaling $8,232,482.77 and was able to grant full or partial funding to 131 project or program requests:
* 53.8% to U.S. dioceses
* 46.2% to overseas dioceses, provinces and regional grants
According to UTO policy, grant applications are reviewed by the UTO Committee which includes representatives of each ECUSA province and three members at large. Applying organizations must be closely connected to the Episcopal Church or the worldwide Anglican Communion. During the triennial meeting of the Episcopal Church Women allocations of the grants are approved. In the interim years, the UTO Committee makes the awards.
"The UTO Committee is committed to granting every cent that is available," said Chapman. "We grant all of the offerings and the interest on the offerings received during the year, plus funds from some small trusts and rescinded or returned grants."
UTO is a spiritual and financial partner in the mission work of the Episcopal Church which focuses on addressing compelling human needs and expanding mission and ministry.
"The emphasis is on people becoming more aware of what they have to be thankful for, and then acting on that by giving an offering," said Chapman.
UTO was established in 1889 as the United Offering by the Women's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions and was primarily used to support the work of women missionaries and expansion of the church. That emphasis has broadened to include all areas of the church's work. The mission of UTO is to expand the circle of thankful people.
A 2005 grants list will be distributed to all parishes in an August mailing.
For more information on UTO visit http://www.episcopalchurch.org/uto/