Diocese Makes Community Grants
Diocesan Press Service. January 3, 1973 [73002]
SANTA FE, N.Mex. -- Back in 1969 the Episcopal Diocese of New Mexico and Southwest Texas chose to withhold $80, 000 from the national church because of disagreement over the controversial Alianza grant by the General Convention Special Program.
The national church Executive Council made the grant despite the protest from then Diocesan Bishop C. J. Kinsolving.
What has happened to the $80, 000 that initially went into an escrow fund until the Diocesan Standing Committee decided what to do with it?
A portion of the fund was spent in 1970 within the diocese for its own Indian work. To date, more than half the balance of the fund has been allocated to worthy projects outside the church, but within the diocese.
The Diocesan Standing Committee, which has been reviewing applications for grants has awarded eleven grants durigg:1972 for a total of $25,200.
In the community where grants have been awarded, local parish vestries are required to review and make recommendations for approval or disapproval.
Thus, local opinion has been sought regarding each grant, which is what the Episcopal Diocese was demanding of the national Church at the time of the Alianza controversy.
Following is a list of grants awarded tn:197.2from a recent Episcopal Standing Committee report: Espanola Northern New Mexico Cooperative, $2,000; Espanola Hospital, $1,000; Outreach, Inc., Santa Fe, $5,000; Backdoor Program, El Paso, $5,000; Chaves County, Half-Way House, $1,200; Y.M.C.A. Mini-bike program, $1,000; Southwest Valley Youth Development Program, Albuquerque, $3,500; Otero County Self-Help Program, Alamagordo, $2,000; Y.W.C.A. Pregnant Teenagers Program, Albuquerque, $3,500; and Medical Loan Assistance Program, Portales, $1,000.
The Episcopal Standing Committee will continue to review grants until the total fund of $80,000 has been exhausted.
There is some speculation that a similar fund will be reinstituted for future giving within the diocese.