Anglican Diocese of Ontario Foundation Ends

In the early 2000’s as the Diocese of Ontario was a leader in Stewardship practices, the Anglican Diocese of Ontario Foundation (ADOF) was created to meet the future needs of ministry in this diocese. As a separately incorporated entity the Foundation began with an all-volunteer Board and the task of raising capital through parish and individual memberships and the Love-In-Action Appeal. Interest accrued would be used to assist in the funding of some ministries and thereby giving relief to the diocesan budget. Early recipients included funding for parish curacies, clergy support, Camp Hyanto and Refugee ministries.

As more monies became available, parishes received grants for building improvements and accessibility projects, as well as ministries including thrift stores, youth choirs and food security. In time a partnership was created with the Kingston and Area Community Foundation which allowed our foundation to share in projects such as Pathways to Educations for youth mental health services, computers in rural schools and the Kingston Sexual Assault Centre. In 2021 partnership with the ‘Say Yes to Kids’ campaign of the Anglican Foundation of Canada secured feeding programs in Napanee and in Elgin.

Unfortunately growing financial pressures on parishes and foundation members grew in recent years and were exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline of available funds made for the inevitable decision in early 2025 to bring the foundation to an end, which the Board made in January of this year.

Providentially the diocese, through the sale of properties, has created Reach and Stretch Grant Program to support parishes in their current or new ministries. So, the good work that Anglicans are doing will go on. Further, a few parishes have begun to work on their own legacy funds for future development and new ministries.

As this chapter of our diocesan stewardship has closed I wish to thank all of our members, donors and Board Members for their invaluable contributions.