The Fund’s income is granted annually to assist in the initiation of new outreach programs solely for the assistance of economically disadvantaged individuals and organizations that 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 |

2024

• The “Philly Goat Project” (PGP) - to support their new Bereavement Initiative, which supports a “Grief Garden” and “Memorial Wall”, a peaceful and sacred space for visitors, where they can visit 365 days a year.  The trained and gentle goats can provide somatic experiences (as well as fun and lighter moments) to move through grief.   The skilled workers use lessons from previous programs, such as violence intervention programs. 

• The Anglican Church of Burundi - to assist 150 families with seeds and small livestock to be reared that will act as a source of regular income for their land that is losing fertility.  The gift eventually improves the inhabitants’ daily lives through nutrition.

2023

• Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels – to support their effort to provide low-cost meals for eligible recipients in two additional zip codes.

• Stand With Iraqi Christians – to provide financial assistance to three new business ventures initiated by Iraqi Christians.

2022

• The Community Network - provided seed money for The Housing Scholarship Fund.  It is designed to cover the difference between what eligible students from Gwynedd Mercy University and Montgomery County Community College can afford to pay for their housing on or off campus.

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 purchase and delivery of books to individual students and learning pods district-wide.

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 not only with poverty but have endured mental health issues, foster care, juvenile or substance abuse.