Community grants

Behrens Trust Fund

The Henry & Virginia Behrens Trust was made possible through the generosity of Henry & Virginia Behrens and provides money to be distributed once or twice annually and in sizeable amounts for extraordinary events such as, but not limited to, substantial capital expenditures for both in-reach and outreach purposes. While the needs of Falmouth are given first consideration; state, national and international needs are also considered.

The Behrens Fund—a ministry of Saint Barnabas’s Episcopal Church in Falmouth— is offering $50,000 in 2023 grants to help nonprofit organizations locally, in the Episcopal Diocese and in other areas needing humanitarian work.
 
Grants range from $1,500 to $25,000. Since the program was established in 2003, almost $800,000 has been awarded to qualified applicants.
 
Invitation to apply “We encourage organizations to apply for grants for meaningful projects that can significantly help people in need,” said David Forsberg, chairman of the Behrens Fund Committee. “For example, in Falmouth we helped shelter the homeless and help provide needed resources to low-income families. In Guatemala we fund the Maya Childcare Center’s work with impoverished families.”
 
Grant applications will open in March 2025. Forms are available from the office of Saint Barnabas’s Memorial Episcopal Church located at 91 Main Street, Falmouth, or by sending an email request to the office (office@stbfalmouth.org).
 
A history of commitment
Well-known local philanthropists Virginia and Henry Behrens, who had moved to Falmouth shortly after World War II, were active members of the community. Their efforts supported Woods Hole research, the Falmouth Historical Society, Falmouth Hospital and Saint Barnabas’s church where Henry Behrens served as treasurer and a member of the Vestry. Following his death in 2000, Saint Barnabas’s was named in his will as the beneficiary of an $800,000 endowment that became the basis of the Behrens Fund. Over the years, dozens of worthy nonprofit organizations have benefitted from the generous endowment.
 
For more information on Behrens Fund grants, contact the church office at 508-548-3863.

Community Engagement Ministry Grant

Saint Barnabas’s Community Engagement Ministry (CEM, formerly Outreach) provides funding support to individuals and organizations for purposes aligned with our mission. Requests for funds are made by submitting this grant application. 

CEM Mission: CEM works with our community to support causes for justice and peace.

• We follow the commands of Jesus to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, and welcome the stranger.
• We help our church members live out their baptismal vows to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love your neighbor as yourself, strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being
• We adhere to The Episcopal Church’s Covenant to Care of Creation by committing to form and restore loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with all of Creation.

Funding Criteria:

• Projects must serve the community of Saint Barnabas’s, Falmouth, or Cape Cod.
• Projects may serve national or international communities if they are affiliated with a member of Saint Barnabas’s.
• Projects should be completed within 12 months of receiving funds.
• Projects must be aligned with CEM’s mission.
• The climate impacts of projects should be considered: Climate change and the collapse of the natural world are now true emergencies for the human family and God’s creation. Our diocese has declared a climate emergency and all individuals, parishes, communities, and ministries are encouraged to commit to drawdown well before 2030. The climate impacts of proposals to CEM will therefore be considered. Applicants may contact CEM for guidance.
   
  Funds available: Awards of up to $1,500 are available to any one project in a calendar year. and the amount granted will be determined during application review. CEM’s budget for grant support in 2024 is $5,000.
  

Deadlines: Applications are accepted two times per year;  October 15 with funding decisions made by November 1 and March 15 with funding decisions made by April 1.

Submission: Return the completed application to stboutreach@gmail.com, or mail to Saint Barnabas’s Episcopal Church, Attn: CEM, PO Box 203, Falmouth, MA 02541. Questions about the application process can be directed to stboutreach@gmail.com.