ERD Launches MDG Inspiration Fund

BY REID JOYNER
DIOCESAN COORDINATOR FOR ERD

Reid JoynerIn the fall of 2007, Episcopal Relief & Development will launch the MDG Inspiration Fund in partnership with Jubilee Ministries and the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church to raise $3 million to fight malaria and other preventable diseases. From 2007 through 2009, the Executive Council has designated $924,000 and ERD will identify additional contributions to reach a goal of $1 million for the MDG Inspiration Fund. The $1 million will be used to "inspire" individuals, congregations and dioceses to contribute $2 million with the aim of raising a total of $3 million by 2009. Gifts made to ERD for the MDG Inspiration Fund are not "undesignated" donations but are earmarked specifically for malaria and other health care programs.

  • Income generated from the MDG Inspiration Fund will be used to fight malaria along with HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases, which is the objective of MDG #6. Malaria is an easily treatable disease and is a high priority for many of ERD's partners in the Anglican Communion. Although this program specifically targets MDG #6, several additional MDGs are addressed through malaria prevention, including MDG #1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
  • Of the $3 million for the MDG Inspiration Fund, $2 million will be allocated to Nets for Life: a partnership initiative for malaria prevention in Africa and a possible pilot anti-malaria program in Asia. Nets for Life is a partnership of funding and implementing organizations working to prevent, recognize and treat malaria in Africa. ERD is an implementing partner for Nets for Life.
  • The remaining $1 million will be allocated to initiatives in the Caribbean and Latin America focusing on public health issues including, but not necessarily limited to, malaria. Program development in this region is being done in close cooperation with Jubilee Ministries.
  • ERD is tasked with managing the fundraising initiative to reach the $3 million MDG Inspiration Fund goal, collecting the donations and being responsible for program development and oversight.
  • The MDG Inspiration Fund allows the Episcopal Church to lead by example offering practical, measurable results in under served communities in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America. The Episcopal Church is at the forefront of faith-based organizations responding to prevent and control malaria and other preventable diseases.

How Episcopalians can help achieve the MDGs

As the official Relief and Development agency of the Episcopal Church, ERD receives support from the National Episcopal Church through in-kind contributions which keeps administrative overhead low. The contributions of the National Church mean that 92 cents from each dollar that ERD receives goes directly towards its programs. This ratio is phenomenal, as most other organizations send on average about 75% of their gifts into programs. Episcopalians can most effectively achieve the MDGs through ERD, which works through provincial and diocesan Anglican program partners worldwide. ERD carefully monitors these programs to ensure their effectiveness.

Congregations can choose a variety of ways to support the work of Episcopal Relief and Development. Direct, unrestricted donations are always important, as they allow the Board of Directors immediate access to funds so they can grant money in emergency relief situations as well as for development needs. Other means include donating funds designated to a particular area of need, selecting from the GIFTS FOR LIFE catalog, or purchasing Bishops Blend Coffee. (Bishops Blend is a fair traded, shade grown product provided by a non-profit company, Pura Vida.) Gifts to ERD may be made several ways: through the Internet at www.er-d.org; via mail to Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058; by telephone at 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129, or through your church.