2013 Matching Gift Challenge Benefits Programs Worldwide

February 20, 2014

A generous pledge of $500,000 in matching funds from a group of committed Episcopal Relief & Development donors led to an overwhelming response during the 2013 Matching Gift Challenge.  Inspired by the agency’s mission and moved to action by the opportunity to have gifts matched dollar-for-dollar, Episcopal Relief & Development’s community of supporters contributed a total of $953,098 during the fall campaign.

“I am continually moved by the generosity of our donors, especially those whose help made the 2013 Matching Gift Challenge such a tremendous success and allowed us to leverage this significant $500,000 match,” said Joy Shigaki, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Director of Advancement.  “Thank you to everyone whose support enables Episcopal Relief & Development to serve those in greatest need and transform communities in places beyond the end of the road.”

Donations to all funds – including Gifts for Life purchases – were eligible for matching, with the $500,000 match helping to sustain Episcopal Relief & Development’s work through the Global Needs Fund.  Partnering with local Church bodies and affiliated agencies in close to 40 countries, Episcopal Relief & Development develops and expands community-based programs that address poverty, hunger and disease.  Donations to the Global Needs Fund enable Episcopal Relief & Development to respond to urgent needs and continue these vital programs across the globe.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s integrated programs impact the lives of more than 3 million people annually.  Here are some of their stories:

  • Mariana in Angola started a business with a small loan from her savings group, and was able to welcome her new baby in health and comfort

  • Antonio in Nicaragua learned new ways of growing crops that gave more abundant harvests while protecting the environment

  • Liqin in China worked with her fellow senior citizens to clean up a local river and build a protected water supply with piping to her home

Churches, dioceses, schools, seminaries and individuals all make a difference by contributing in different ways.  To give a gift that can help strengthen communities worldwide, please click here.

For more information on Episcopal Relief & Development’s programs, please visit www.episcopalrelief.org/what-we-do.  

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of The Episcopal Church and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with worldwide Church and ecumenical partners to help rebuild after disasters and to empower local communities to find lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.