Fiscal Wellness Advocates 

The main role of a Fiscal Wellness Advocate is to walk alongside the rostered minister or candidate who is applying for a MEF grant. The advocate will hold deep-dive conversations with the applicant to fully understand the financial challenge/s they face and guide them to the appropriate grant to apply for based on the need.

The advocates sign a Confidentiality Statement upfront and are trained on the overall MEF grant process, relevant questions to ask, recommended financial education opportunities, etc. At the conclusion of conversations with an applicant, the advocate provides a written summary which accompanies the grant application. This material helps to round out the financial narrative shared on the application. Currently three individuals, all laity, compose the Fiscal Wellness Advocate team.

These are the current Fiscal Wellness Advocates positioned around the Grand Canyon Synod:

  • Geneva Cassel, Tuscon AZ;

  • Karen Austad, Sun City West AZ; 

  • Mark Meyers, Las Vegas NV

Fiscal Wellness Grants Board 

The main role of the Fiscal Wellness Grants Board is to review and decide on applications for grants. The board comprises five members, is required to meet quarterly, but will more often when required based on the number of grant applications received.  Grant packets (applications & summaries) are distributed to the board a week prior to ensure efficient decision-making. Reviews are held over a Zoom video conference utilizing the synod’s account.

A standing guideline with the board is that there needs to be at least three supporting votes for a grant to be awarded.  Following review of all applications, the Associate Program Director for MEF sends an award letter to recipients and generates the associated check request for the 3E Bookkeeper. The board, as required in 3E founding documents, contains two rostered ministers and one laity.

Persons currently serving on Grants Board:

  • Sue Jensen, Tucson AZ

  • Pr. Gary McCluskey, Tempe AZ

  • Pr. Brian Weinberger, Kingman AZ

Program Manager

Molly Gary is the Program Manager for the Ministerial Excellence Fund. 

To express interest in being an advocate, please contact her at marykgary@gmail.com.