About Episcopal Relief and Development
Episcopal Relief and Development, or ERD, is the Episcopal Church’s response to ongoing emergency relief work as well as long-term development and rehabilitation. Whenever you hear about a disaster, natural or man-made, you can be sure through ERD, Episcopalians are helping to alleviate human suffering.
For example, recently Haiti and the Dominican Republic have received aid to assist after civil war and flooding. In Sudan, which was devastated by drought and war, critical food supplies have been provided. In Iran a devastating earthquake killed more than 26,000 people to which ERD responded with emergency food, clean water, temporary shelter, and medicine to suffering children and families. ERD is currently involved in rebuilding homes and schools, repairing water systems, and providing health care. In our own country, floods in Nebraska and Hurricane Charley in Florida have also generated relief efforts.
However, disaster relief is not the only thing that ERD is about. Ongoing projects include such things as AIDS health education in AIDS ravaged African countries. Efforts to secure a sustainable food and clean water source are also part of the work ERD does. This is evidenced in our own diocese by the grant given to our Water Well Ministry by ERD to buy our drilling rig.
In this diocese, it is our goal to be a missionary church. ERD gives us as Episcopalians an opportunity to be the hands of Christ reaching out to a broken world and to live into our goal to be a missionary people.
Read more about ERD in the 20 Questions below.
— Karen Lee, Diocesan ERD Coordinator.
Episcopal Relief and Development
Who We Are.
Who are we?
Episcopal Relief and Development helps people suffering around the world. We provide emergency assistance after disasters, rebuild communities, and help make life safer and healthier for people living in poverty worldwide.
How are we connected to the Episcopal Church?
We are the Episcopal Church's outreach arm to people in need worldwide. For more than 60 years, we have provided people with basic human needs and other critical assistance.
What We Do.
How do we help people after disasters?
We supply food, water, shelter, and other basic necessities to communities after natural and man-made disasters. We work with local Episcopal and Anglican churches or partner with ecumenical organizations.
How do we rebuild communities?
We construct new buildings, plant crops, restore clean water systems, and repair clinics and schools. We created and reconstructed communities in Honduras, Turkey, and Kosovo. Most recently, we are working in El Salvador and Belize to build homes and schools and train people to start small businesses.
What types of development programs do we support?
Our work helps communities break out of poverty. We help people earn an income for their families by providing them with seeds, training, and livestock. We build medical clinics, support home care for HIV/AIDS patients, and train rural health workers to prevent diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.
How We Operate.
Who supports our work?
We receive support from people, like you, who are concerned about the poor and suffering worldwide. Individuals, parishes, and dioceses give us their donations so we can make a difference in the communities we serve.
How are our programs monitored and evaluated?
Our dedicated and professional staff visit our programs at home and abroad and stay in contact with our program partners. At the end of a funding cycle, our partners must submit complete financial and narrative reports.
How much money do we spend on programs?
We use each contribution very carefully. More than 80% of our expenditures are spent on our programs.
Do you have endowments?
Yes, we have two endowments. One generates income for programs. The other helps pay for our administrative costs. We are actively working to increase our endowments, so that we will have a steady, predictable source of cash to help people in need around the world.
How You Can Help.
How can you support ERD?
Pray, volunteer, and give! Pray for those who are suffering. Volunteer your time and use your skills to rebuild communities after disasters. Give a contribution to ERD and help us change lives.
How can you donate to us?
You can donate to our ministry in three ways: by mail, phone, or online. Mail checks to: Episcopal Relief and Development, P.O. Box 12043, Newark, NJ, 07101.You can make a credit card donation by calling (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Visit our secure website at www.er-d.org to make an online contribution. If you're interested in making a stock gift, please contact us at (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129 for more information.
How can you regularly donate to ERD?
Try our Monthly Gift Deduction Program. You can have a set amount of money charged to your credit card or deducted from your checking account each month. Want to know more? Call us at: (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Email us at: er-d@er-d.org.
Can you make a gift in honor or in memory of someone special?
Our Honor/Memorial Gift Program is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, ordination, anniversary, wedding, holiday, or other significant milestones. You can also honor the memory of a loved one through this special program. Want to know more? Call us at: (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129. Email us at: er-d@er-d.org.
Do we have a Matching Gifts Program?
Yes! Through our Matching Gifts Program, your company or an affiliate organization can match any gift you contribute to us. Check with your human resources office to see if they participate and ask for the matching gift pledge form. To request a matching gifts form, please contact us at (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129, or er-d@er-d.org.
What planned giving options are available?
We have many planned giving opportunities available. You can leave a gift to ERD in your will. Other planned giving options include pooled income funds, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts. For more information on other planned giving options or to learn more about making a planned gift to ERD, please contact the Episcopal Church Foundation at (800) 697-2858.
What is Bishops Blend?
Bishops Blend is ERD's line of Central American and Indonesian coffees that are certified Fair Trade, organic, and shade grown. Order a bag for yourself or a friend. Have your parish or diocese order Bishops Blend for social gatherings, coffee hours, or a fundraiser. The coffees are available in Regular, Decaf, and Cinnamon Spice. To order, call (877) 469-1431 or visit www.er-d.org.
How can you get others involved?
Encourage friends and members of your parish to help people in need. If you're interested in joining ERD's Network of volunteers in dioceses and parishes who actively support people in need, please contact us at (800) 334-7626, ext. 5129.
How can you volunteer?
You can build homes for people who are homeless. You can paint schools damaged by hurricanes. You can dig water wells for communities that have no access to clean water. To find out more about our volunteer opportunities in El Salvador and Belize, contact us at (800) 334-7626, ext. 6105.
How can you receive regular updates on our work?
Please visit our website at www.er-d.org. Sign up for our email updates at er-d@er-d.org. You'll receive news on our emergency response after crises as well as information about our development and rehabilitation programs worldwide.
What materials are available on our programs?
You can order a variety of ERD materials through Episcopal Parish Services (EPS). You can use our newsletter, FaithWorks , and other brochures including You Can Change Lives in El Salvador , Why the Network?, and 20 Questions . We also have pins, buttons, posters, and a variety of other exciting materials available. Contact EPS at (800) 903-5544 or www.er-d.org. |
