Realizing that congregations can at times encounter unusual and unforeseen circumstances, applications for Exceptional Assistance will also be considered that assist individual missions or parishes directly, but that do not necessarily contain an explicit benefit for other parishes. It is hoped, however, that the congregations that receive these one-time awards will reflect on broader learning that might be gleaned from their experience. It is also expected that applications for exceptional funding will provide a clear statement about the congregation’s commitment to strong fiscal planning going forward.

Such grants may be made to cover a deficit in the upcoming year’s budget resulting from extraordinary costs in the current year that the congregation is unable to cover, but only after all other means of funding have been exhausted. They may also be made to assist with covering the costs associated with catastrophic failures in buildings or associated systems (plumbing, roofing, heating systems, etc.). Assistance given by the Convocation in such a circumstance is given on a one-time basis. Normally, foreseeable events (for example, building maintenance, the cost of a rector search, or provision for a rector’s sabbatical) will not be covered.

Exceptional Assistance may be requested at any time during the Convocation’s Fiscal Year. Clergy in charge of congregations submitting an application are asked to alert their liaison from the Council of Advice of their intention to submit such a grant.

Once submitted, the Finance Committee of the Convocation will consider the request and make a recommendation to the bishop and Council of Advice, to be acted upon at the next meeting of the Council. The Finance Committee may propose a response to each request in the form of a grant, a loan, or some combination of the two.