Mustard Seed Grants

Mustard Seed Grants is sponsored by Episcopal Foundation of Northern California. Supports grassroots ministries at the congregation level in the Diocese of Northern California.

The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California - The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Episcopal Foundation of Northern California The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California was established in 1983 to enhance the “financial vitality of our congregations and institutions. ” Since 1992, the Foundation has facilitated over $36 million in gifts, and is currently working on a program to promote planned gifts.

The Foundation also facilitates the Bishop’s Partnership Appeal. The bishop of the diocese is ex-officio the chair of the board of the Episcopal Foundation of Northern California. For more information contact Michelle Karimi in the Office of the Bishop .

Visit EFNC’s website for more information at www. norcalepiscopalfoundation. org If you would like to donate stock, you can download the instructions here .

2026 Foundation Grant Application The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California has joyfully committed to continue our Foundation Grant program available to churches and missions throughout our Diocese in 2026.

Supporting the Diocesan mission of making disciples, raising up saints, and transforming communities for Christ, the Foundation will endeavor to enhance ministry and outreach in the Diocese in the following three categories: Forming and Growing Faith Communities (Ex. Congregational Discipleship and Evangelism) (Ex. Feeding the Hungry, Immigrant Support, LGBTQ+ Ministries) Caring for God’s Creation (Ex.

Environmental ministries and sustainability initiatives) Any of the above categories may also include work reflecting the diocesan priority of addressing and healing the wounds of racism. A total of $25,000 will be granted this year with individual grants up to a maximum of $5,000. Application period: June 1 – July 31, 2026 Grants Awarded: August 2026 Matching (cost-sharing) grants are encouraged.

Has the applicant raised funds to support the project? If so, how much? What plans have been made for on-going fundraising, if any?

The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California is continuing the Mustard Seed grant program for 2026! Mustard Seed grants are grants of $500 to promote and support grass-roots ministries at the congregation level in our Diocese. Available to parishes, missions, and other Episcopal organizations in the Diocese.

When is the deadline to apply? The deadline to apply is December 31, 2026. Grants will be awarded throughout the year.

What is the purpose of these grants? Linking small, creative ministries to resources: a little help in the right place at the right time in the right hands can eventually move mountains. Download an application here , and submit it to info@norcalepiscopalfoundation.

org Members of the Board of Directors of The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California are acknowledged leaders and have an understanding of stewardship, an interest in planned giving, a willingness to give active support to this ministry, and a commitment to attend necessary meetings and events. Board Members represent all areas of our Diocese and bring a wealth of professional and volunteer expertise to this ministry.

Names of potential candidates for membership on the Board should be sent to: info@norcalepiscopalfoundation. org Please include your name, address, phone number, church affiliation and a brief (2 -3 sentences) statement of the talents, gifts and skills this person would bring to the EFNC Board. The Rt.

Rev. Megan Traquair Bishop and Ex-Officio Chair Learn more about the bishop here . Kevin Donohue is the Chancellor to the Diocese, as well as Ex-Officio Chancellor to the Foundation.

Occupation: Attorney with the Gagen McCoy law firm Past and Present Church Service: Member of St. Paul’s, Benicia for over 37 years, serving on the vestry and as Senior Warden and as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Tony Yang, MPA, PhD, is a Program Analyst for the University of California’s Student Health and Counseling Centers at the UC Office of the President.

Working under the Chief Medical Officer of Student Health and Counseling, he works on clinical claims data, and healthcare data in various cross-functional areas in healthcare, including patient satisfaction surveys, financial reporting, and grant management.

He has over 13 years of administrative experience in ambulatory healthcare, working in a variety of roles, including previous roles in healthcare policy, quality assurance, and enterprise risk management, focusing on privacy. Tony’s PhD is in Economic History from UC Riverside, and he holds a master’s degree in public administration.

In the past, he has been a Lecturer and instructor of college-level history courses and is an avid advocate for higher education. He continues to work in higher education and healthcare to advance access and health equity for all patients.

He is a proud San Francisco Bay Area native, an avid woodworker, and a staff advocate, having been the Chair of the Staff Assembly, Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association, and various workforce groups at the Office of the President. Tony has served various stints as the vestry clerk, and a member of the vestry at Epiphany Church Vacaville, been on the rector selection committee.

He’s also been known to putter around as a woodworker in his spare time. The Rev. Perry W.

Polk was reared in Waco, Texas. He graduated from Baylor University with BBA majoring in economics. After a 20-year Air Force career, he settled in Fairfield.

He retired as a school district Information Technology Director after 18. 5 years and consulted for another five years. Called to ordination in 2005, Rev.

Perry began seminary at the Pacific School of Religion. At the end of his middler year, he chose to change denominations and seminaries. He earned an MDiv at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in May 2008.

Rev. Perry was ordained Priest on June 13, 2009 and became an Associate Priest at Grace Church in Fairfield. After serving as Long-Term Supply Priest at Grace Church, on July 1, 2014 he became the Interim Rector and held that position until August 31, 2018.

He holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma and an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Northwest Nazarene. While an assistant professor of economics and management at the Air Force Academy, he worked on doctoral courses in finance and organizational behavior at the University of Colorado. Occupation: Retired Business Professional Past and Present Church Service: St.

Mary’s, Napa: Sunday school teacher, Foundation committee, vestry, finance committee, Profile Committee.

Episcopal Foundation of Northern California: Director and Chair of Board Investment and Other Background: The University of Texas, Austin BBA Accounting Golden Gate University, MS Taxation Chevron Corporation 34 years experience in accounting, finance and operations Advisory Board member of non-profit providing services and work training programs to those dealing with homelessness, food insecurity, addiction and emergency services during times of disaster.

The Rev. Rosemary MacLaughlin The Rev. Rosemary MacLaughlin is a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento, and a member of EFNC.

The Rev. Canon Julie Wakelee Occupation: Canon to the Ordinary Past and Present Church Service: Priest-in-Charge at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Associate Rector at St.

Luke’s, Long Beach (4 years) Trained as an interim minister, she served Church of the Epiphany, San Carlos (Diocese of California) Rector at St.

Alban’s, Albany, CA for 10 years Occupation: Self-employed general contractor Past and Present Church Service: Member, Grace Episcopal Church, Fairfield (since the 1980’s) Vestry Member, Junior Warden, Senior Warden Delegate, Diocesan Convention Presenting team, Episcopal Marriage Encounter BA, English Literature, University of Tennessee Veteran, United States Air Force Former Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 93, Fairfield Former Chapter president, Business Networking International (BNI) The Episcopal Foundation of Northern California Email: info@norcalepiscopalfoundation.

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