We support new parish-based economic development programs to enable parishes to establish self-sustaining social enterprises.
Click here to read Guidelines for Parish-Based Economic Development Partnerships.
Click here to get Excel Worksheet for Budget Framework for Parish-Based Economic Development Partnerships.
Grantees:
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Dorchester
During 2010 we partnered with St. Mary’s to create a tutoring center housed at St. Mary’s to prepare students for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT), and the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE). ECM worked together on a business plan to probe the feasibility of their project as a self-sustaining (and hopefully, income generating) business. The expansive idea was to approach more economically stable communities where they also wanted their kids to have a college prep course, and where they could afford market rate, and have their SAT prep fees help fund SAT prep classes for the underserved kids of Upham’s Corner. Seeking parish partnerships for the project, St. Mary’s contacted Christ Church in Hamilton. Together these parishes they laid out a plan that would accomplish their two-fold mission:
- Launch a 10-week, one-on-one, 90-minute sessions, SAT Prep tutoring class for six students in Christ Church in Hamilton for $800 (compared to the market-rate cost of $1500).
- Utilize the proceeds from the Christ Church SAT Prep to fund a free SAT Prep for students in Upham’s Corner, Dorchester.
With essential guidance from experienced tutors, the support of Scott Sullivan (owner of Sullivan Tutoring) and a curriculum from the College Board Official SAT Study Guide, Episcopal City Tutoring launched their first course at Christ Church in August 2010. With funding from six students in Hamilton, the first 10-week SAT Prep tutoring program launched in Dorchester in November 2010.
Is your parish interested in partnering with ECM? Please share your idea with us!