Our Funding Interests

We at EPJ Fund try to foster the understanding that perspective is as important as action, because the way we see others will form our actions toward them. We do not always know what is “best” for others, but we do know that God created us all the same, making us inherently equal. So we believe that the more we see others as alike to ourselves, the better we will know how to serve them. Everyone desires the same things in life: spiritual, psychological, social and physical health. At times we all experience lack in these areas, so the server and the one being served are interchangeable roles. And since we are one family in God, when we give to others we are in fact giving to ourselves. Our interests are the same.

Priority will be given to projects which:

1. Address significant current social and spiritual needs;
2. Empower people to enhance control over their lives, and accept responsibility, rather than blame or shame, for themselves and their environment;
3. Encourage collaboration and integration with diverse communities, racial and ethnic groups, ecumenical and interfaith communities;
4. Promote education and advocacy on behalf of those who lack sufficient representation in religious, governmental and societal institutions;
5. Strengthen volunteer, family and community participation;
6. Show sound financial and managerial accounting and responsibility;
7. Avoid duplication of already existing programs and services;
8. Demonstrate a plan for continued funding when Fund support ceases, including efforts in obtaining donated goods, services and matching funds;
9. Expand leadership so the organization is not dependent on one key person;
10. Show cooperative efforts with other organizations and programs within the community dedicated to similar goals;
11. Demonstrate a realistic potential for tangible results and solutions;
12. Have the potential to be replicated and applied by other organizations dedicated to similar goals.

An important way we at EPJ Fund find we can be of assistance to others is to help provide a quality education. This is especially true for those on an unequal footing in society, such as those struggling with poverty or the disabled. A quality education can take place in a school setting or in less formal settings in a myriad of ways. Education is a way to remind us of our inherent equality by providing the resources so others can learn to think for themselves. In addition to encouraging self-empowerment, a quality education also teaches values and learning to take responsibility for our lives, without blame, as well as understanding just how interdependent we are with one another.