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RSSFrequently Asked Questions
Who is Episcopal Relief & Development?
How do we monitor and evaluate our programs?
How can I support Episcopal Relief & Development?
What are my giving opportunities?
How can I participate in The Network of special volunteers?
How much does Episcopal Relief & Development spend on overhead?
What kind of financial transparency does Episcopal Relief & Development practice?
Who is Episcopal Relief & Development?
For more information about our organization, please see the Who We Are page.
What is our program approach?
Please visit the What We Do page.
What are our program areas?
We work in the following program areas:
- Alleviating Hunger and Improving Food Supply
- Creating Economic Opportunities and Strengthening Communities
- Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
- Responding to Disasters and Rebuilding Communities
Where do we work?
We work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Please visit Where We Work for more information.
How do we monitor and evaluate our programs?
With local partners, the staff of Episcopal Relief & Development monitors and assess the effectiveness of the organization’s work by establishing baseline indicators to evaluate the success of each program. These results are a critical component of the program evaluation process. They help us to determine if a program is achieving its objectives and, if not, the kind of technical assistance that can be provided so that the objectives can be reached. Staff conducts regular monitoring visits to all program sites.
How can I support Episcopal Relief & Development?
We could not do our work without your ongoing commitment and support. Please click here to learn about the many ways to donate to Episcopal Relief & Development.
What are my giving opportunities?
DONATE NOW
Gifts for Life is an alternate gifts catalog that allows donors to give a lifesaving gift that helps people around the world address challenges in their communities. Gifts may be made in honor of a friend or loved and are disbursed to the programs that they correspond to wherever the need is greatest. Learn more.
Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, celebrated annually the first Sunday of Lent, has been endorsed by the Presiding Bishop as a dedicated time to reflect and respond to the needs of our global neighbors. Learn how to participate any time of year.
The NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund fights malaria and other diseases. Learn more.
By purchasing Bishops Blend coffee and tea, you are supporting Episcopal Relief & Development’s efforts to improve the lives of people suffering around the world. Bishops Blend products are fair trade and organic. Order Bishops Blend here.
How can I volunteer?
Episcopal Relief & Development does not currently provide volunteer opportunities. However, we encourage those interested in our work to become involved with our program partners. To learn about volunteer opportunities available through our partners, please visit the Volunteer page in the Get Involved: Act section.
Volunteering after a disaster
Following a disaster, we are frequently asked if we need assistance at the disaster site. While we appreciate these compassionate offers, we do not provide opportunities for volunteers to become involved in the initial stages of disaster relief.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, sending volunteers into the affected area can put additional pressure on already-strained resources. It takes a range of logistical support, leadership, experience and disaster training to lead a volunteer group.
In the days, weeks and months after a disaster, Episcopal Relief & Development’s mission is to help provide survivors and evacuees with food, shelter and other critical supplies — as well as medical care, child care or other help, according to the communities’ needs.
Episcopal Relief & Development stays with communities throughout a recovery process, which can take place over the course of years. We help people rebuild homes and schools, find employment and get back to life as normal.
If you have disaster expertise you may also be able to find overseas volunteering opportunities through Disaster News Network and InterAction which list humanitarian agencies seeking skilled experts. However, if you do not have specialized disaster response skills and experience responding to past large-scale disasters, you may find it difficult to find volunteer opportunities.
Examples of some of the professions that are sometimes needed are: doctors, nurses, engineers, logistics coordinators, human resource professionals and IT technicians. If you have such skills and have previously done overseas relief work, a good place to start is to sign up for the Disaster Assistance Registration Database.
The US Disaster Program also maintains a domestic disaster response volunteer database called Ready to Serve. Click here to sign up.
How can I participate in The Network of special volunteers?
The Network is a special group of over 3,000 Episcopal Relief & Development volunteers in the United States who actively advocate, support and promote our ministry throughout Episcopal parishes, dioceses and seminaries. Learn more in Connect with The Network section. There are numerous other ways to participate. To learn more, visit the Get Involved section and select your area of interest.
How much does Episcopal Relief & Development spend on overhead?
In 2009, Episcopal Relief & Development funds were expended as follows: 85% on program implementation, 5% on administration and 10% on fundraising. Because support that we receive from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society in the form of contributed services offsets a significant portion of our administrative expenses, as does our own investment income, 92% of your donor dollar goes directly to programs in the field. Download our current Annual Summary.
What kind of financial transparency does Episcopal Relief & Development practice?
We maintain the highest standards of accountability and are committed to using all donations appropriately and effectively to serve and support suffering people worldwide. Visit the Financials page to learn more.
