ΝΕW ΥΟRΚ – The Leadership 100 Executive Committee at the organization’s 25th Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona last month approved 18 prior committed grants ($1,408, 948) and new ones ($2,263,330) totaling $3,672, 278.
Since its founding in 1984, Leadership 100 has distributed over $46 million in grants, according to Chairman George S. Tsandikos.
Prior commitment grants included Hellenic College/Holy Cross for $1 million; the second year of Department of Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations “Faith Based Diplomacy and Advocacy Initiative” for $150,000; the second year of IOCC “Serv-X-Treme” for $38,548; the second installment of $125,000 for the 2015 Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) “Enhancing the Multimedia Offerings and Marketing Effectiveness of Key Greek Orthodox Departments”; and the second installment of $90,000 for the 2015 “Archdiocesan Advisory Committee of Science and Technology” three-year grant ($300,000 total); and Retired Clergy for $5,400.
New grants included the Registry Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for $575,000; the Digital Typikon and Liturgical Library for $330,000 in 2016 and $270,000 in 2017, for a total two-year grant of $600,000; the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations for $245,000 in 2016 & $215,000 in 2017, for a total two-year grant of $460,000, to include Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops ($150,000/year in both 2016 and 2017), The Holy and Great Council ($40,000/2016; $10,000/2017), Orthodox-Catholic Theological Dialogue & Consultation ($45,000/year in both 2016 and 2017) and Ancient Eastern Oriental Orthodox Churches meetings ($10,000/year in both 2016 and 2017); the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries “Camping Ministry” for $270,000; Department of Education “Greek Textbooks” for $145,400; the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) “International Mission Teams” for $36,000 in 2016 and $36,000 in 2017, for a total two-year grant of $72,000; the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries “Youth Protection Administration” for $45,000; the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) “Summer Leadership Institute” for $39,000; the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism “Pacific Northwest/National Conference” for $35,000; the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries “Be the Bee” video series grant request for $12,000; the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries “Y2AM Studio” for $5,000; and the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism “Home Mission Parish Program” for $4,930.
In 1984, under the guidance of Archbishop Iakovos, Leadership 100 was created as an endowment fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese through which Greek Orthodox leaders were asked to commit themselves to offer $10,000 a year for a total of $100,000 each to maintain the life-sustaining ministries of the Church.
Leadership 100 is a separately incorporated endowment fund supporting the priority needs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, but broadly dedicated to advancing the Orthodox faith and Hellenic ideals in America.
Leadership 100 grants have been instrumental in seeding and nurturing such organizations as the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), and have been the mainstay of support of Holy Cross School of Theology, providing scholarships that have prepared young men for the Priesthood. Grants also have supported Clergy, Youth, Young Adult and Camping Ministries, a technology infrastructure and Internet Ministries at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Religious and Greek Education, Interfaith Marriage and Family Ministries, as well as critical needs in addressing crises such as September 11, Hurricane Katrina, fires in Greece, and Hurricane Sandy.