The Fund’s income is granted annually for the purpose of assisting in the initiation of new outreach programs solely for the assistance of economically disadvantaged individuals and organizations which have a primary purpose of providing such assistance. Some of our most sustainable programs (e.g., St. Thomas’ Summer Camp and our Scholarship Program) and those of our partner, Episcopal Community Services, have been jump started by Bob Fernley’s far-sighted generosity in establishing the fund.
| PAST GIVING |
2023
2022
2021
Episcopal Legal Aid – to expand pro bono civil legal aid to economically disadvantaged individuals at community and on-site food distribution centers; to create specialized programs in legal areas including immigration, senior law and housing issues.
Tree House Books – to fund the creation of Covid-19 Equity Pods for K-5th grade students in North Philadelphia
2020
Historic Fair Hill Literacy Partner Program – to reopen the library in the Hartranft School in North Philadelphia, an expansion of its current School Literacy Partnership Program at the Julia de Burgos School Due to the constraints of the pandemic, the money was used to provide funding for seven Literacy Assistants to assist the teachers and parents as the students attended school virtually. Funding also provided for the purchase and delivery of books to individual students and to learning pods throughout the district .
2019
Mitzvah Circle Foundation – supporting purchases of essential period supplies distributed to one of the most vulnerable populations – transition-aged children and young adults (from 15-25) who struggle with not only poverty but have experience with mental health, foster care, juvenile or substance abuse.