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National Council receives Lilly grant to develop resources for new programs
2002-188-4
8/8/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
The National Council of Churches has received a three-year $500,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis for developing resources of new programs, alleviating some of the financial pressure the ecumenical organization has encountered in the last few years.
After a major reorganization of staff, facilities and budget, the NCC has moved from a life-threatening deficit to a balanced operating budget, stable long-term investments and increased donor support. The Lilly grant provides an additional boost for the council's next phase of its renewal, according to council leaders.
'The Lilly grant is crucial venture capital, assisting us where we need it most--in reaching out to those who believe in the kind of work we are doing and who, given appropriate information, will help underwrite its expansion,' said the Rev. Bob Edgar, who became NCC general secretary in January 2000.
From its founding in 1950, the NCC has been largely dependent on the contributions of its 36 member churches. As those denominations faced dwindling budgets, their investment in cooperative work through the NCC slowly declined, forcing the council to draw on its reserves and long-term investments. That precipitated a financial crisis that threatened its existence. The Lilly grant will underwrite programs to address the most critical issues facing member churches in the future.
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