Savannah Presbytery has been given the honor of overseeing a trust established to promote stewardship of creation and environmental justice in the Southeastern United States. Grants from the trust are awarded to organizations whose work falls under the provisions and guidelines of the trust. If you would like to find out more about how your organization might receive a grant, please read the information below.
WHAT IS IT?
The M.K. Pentecost Ecology Fund awards annual grants to organizations whose work fulfills the mission and provisions of the Grant. The Grant is administered by Savannah Presbytery's M.K. Pentecost Ecology Fund Committee, and its Coordinator, Lynn Garis. The Fund was established by Mr. M.K. Pentecost, Jr. for "the presbytery's ministry of environmental justice and ecological stewardship of natural resources including marine and wild life. The funds are to be used for promoting the support of conservation efforts, education, and studies in key environmental issues of endangered ecosystems and ecological projects which are approved by the presbytery." The mission of the M.K. Pentecost Ecology Fund Committee of Savannah Presbytery is to promote and support ecological stewardship of natural resources. We believe that the church has a responsibility for protecting God's creation, seeking environmental justice, encouraging conservation, promoting education and restoring the eco-system. This exciting and challenging mission is grounded in our faith teaching that we are the stewards of God's creation. As the psalmist tells us, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 2:4). We, as God's people, are to care for the whole of creation.
WHO WAS M.K. PENTECOST?
Savannah Presbytery's M.K. Pentecost Ecology Trust Fund has its origins in the generosity and vision of Atlanta attorney and Presbyterian Elder, M.K. Pentecost, Jr. He served the Presbyterian Church USA as Executive of the Presbytery of Georgia and on the staff of Greater Atlanta Presbytery during the 1980's and early 1990's. He loved the church and revered Georgia's coastal beauty with its intrinsic restorative ability, which prompted him to establish a Charitable Remainder Unitrust with the Presbyterian Church USA Foundation to perpetuate responsible ecological stewardship in our coastal region.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Grants are awarded once a year to organizations whose projects benefit the citizens and ecosystems within the stated area of the Synod of the South Atlantic of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. The grants can be no more than $5,000 per recipient. There are strict guidelines on how the funds are to be used. All applications are due in the Savannah Presbytery Office on or before April 1 of each year. Grant awards are decided by the Committee each May. Recipients receive their award letter and check soon after the May meeting. All grant recipients are required to report their progress to the Committee the following December.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Download the Application Form and Instructions here. Please follow all instructions. The deadline for application is APRIL 1. Complete application must be in hand by close of business on that day (we do not accept postmarks). There are no exceptions to this deadline. If you need further assistance, please contact Coordinator Lynn Garis at 912-264-1997 or mkpfund@savannahpresbytery.org.