The Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund was founded in 2001 to preserve and perpetuate the teaching, mission, and ministry of the Orthodox Church in America, or its canonical successors and its correlative institutions, organization, agencies, and ministries.
Available to Grant
- $24,300
Grants traditionally capped at $5,000
Who May Apply
- Nonprofit organizations that are qualified to receive tax-exempt contributions, including religious organizations defined under Section 509(a)(1), and public charities as defined by IRS section 501(c)(3)
- Organizations without tax-exempt status may work through a fiscal sponsor who is qualified to receive tax-exempt contributions
Ineligible Requests
- Annual campaigns and event sponsorships
- Endowments
- Ongoing operational support (except seed funding or in special situations as identified by the Fund’s advisory board)
- Debt reduction
- Direct grants to individuals
- Research grants of a highly technical or specialized nature
- Lobbying activities
General Criteria for Reviewing Requests
- Address priority needs of the Orthodox Church in America and/or opportunities in catalytic ways that enhance its mission
- Show evidence of qualified leadership to complete project and responsibly administer grant funds
- Clearly articulate a need/opportunity, demonstrate an effective focusing of human & financial resources, and hold potential for successfully impacting the identified need/opportunity
- Combine clear goals with a plan to evaluate progress and, to the degree practical, measure the outcomes to be achieved
- Demonstrate a stable funding base from other sources and/or the ability to achieve long-term self-sustainability, especially when seeking start-up or seed funding
- Use volunteers and in-kind support to reduce and complement financial support
- Demonstrate potential for Foundation funds to leverage funding from other sources and/or propose use of a Foundation grant to attract matching funds
- Does not duplicate other programs or projects serving the church
- Is consistent with the teachings and ministry of the Orthodox Church in America
Deadline and Notification
- Applications are available for submission via the online portal through June 30
Notification will be made mid-August
