By Susan McCulloch
In 2013, for the first time in its 18-year history, FaithWorks exceeded its fundraising goal. A total of $1,604,058 was raised through parish and direct mail appeals, gifts from major donors and foundations, bequests, and income from the FaithWorks Endowment Fund of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation.
FaithWorks is the annual appeal of the Diocese of Toronto. Since 1996, FaithWorks has provided more than $23 million to non-profit groups offering help and hope to those in need throughout south-central Ontario and around the world.
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment and just one more indication that, in the Diocese of Toronto, ‘we who are many are one body,’” said Archbishop Colin Johnson, referring to the FaithWorks campaign theme, a passage from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
“FaithWorks succeeds because of the generosity of many, many faithful Anglicans who share their gifts of time, talent and treasure – along with their prayers – in support of our FaithWorks Ministry Partners,” said Archbishop Johnson. “The outpouring of faith-filled generosity allows our partner agencies to minister to some of our most marginalized sisters and brothers across the diocese and around the world.”
Bishop Philip Poole, co-chair of the FaithWorks Corporate Appeal, added, “I want to acknowledge our FaithWorks Corporate donors for their partnership. By investing in FaithWorks, they are helping to improve the quality of life in our communities. As long as there are people in need, we are called to help in any way that we can. As St. Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Romans, ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully’” (Romans 12:3-8).
The unprecedented level of support enabled the FaithWorks Allocations Committee to maintain its core funding commitment to 15 FaithWorks Ministry Partners, with grants totalling $1,095,132. In addition, seed funding was provided to three ministries in the Trent-Durham episcopal area where FaithWorks had been under-represented for the past few years.
“We are delighted to welcome St. John, Lakefield’s after-school program; St. John, Peterborough’s community outreach ministries; and Transition House Coalition of Northumberland to the FaithWorks family,” said Bishop Linda Nicholls, area bishop. “These ministries are making important contributions in communities throughout Trent-Durham, and we are delighted to encourage them in their efforts.”
In addition to the funds awarded through the allocations process, FaithWorks also helps to sustain vital outreach ministries that are of local importance. Parishes are eligible to retain 15 per cent of undesignated contributions to support their own outreach projects, some of which include food banks, community meals, Out of the Cold programs, local shelters, after-school programs and summer camps, among others. Each episcopal area council receives five per cent of the amount raised in parishes to provide funding for Area Ministry Grants. In 2014, $87,515 is supporting parish outreach ministry with an additional $38,424 available to fund projects through area grants.
Information about all FaithWorks Ministry Partners can be found at the FaithWorks website, where you can also make a secure, online donation. For more information, contact Susan McCulloch, the FaithWorks campaign manager, at 416-363-6021 or 1-800-668-8932, ext. 244.
