Yesterday the board of directors of CampuSource voted to no longer be an independent organization and will entrust its responsibilities for addressing fundraising needs of Episcopal campus ministries to the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF), effective July 1.   “It just makes sense,” said President Donald V. Romanik, “to bring CampuSource back under the Foundation’s umbrella and assist campus ministries to develop the resources they need.  The mission of the Foundation’s Giving Services is exactly that, to help Episcopal entities develop financial resources for ministry.”

CampuSource began as a pilot program of ECF, becoming a separate entity at General Convention 2003.  Since that time CampuSource has worked with more than 70 campus ministries, either individually or as part of a diocesan cluster.  It has also partnered with the Office of Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries to provide stewardship and fundraising training to college chaplains.

Now that ECF has expanded its Giving Services to include a full array of fundraising resources for Episcopal organizations, including annual giving, planned giving, capital campaigns and endowment management services, the synergies between the two organizations are stronger than ever.  Campus ministry clients will have access to all the expertise and resources provided by ECF, while enabling ECF to focus on strengthening the grassroots of the Episcopal Church for their mission and ministry.  “Over time we have come to realize that we can be even more effective as a part of ECF,” noted CampuSource board chair Myra Blackmon.  “It is the best way to meet our mission to help campus ministries grow so they can serve God and the Church.”  The Rev. Douglas Fenton, Staff Officer for Young Adult & Higher Education Ministries added, “At a time when campus ministries are being revitalized in dioceses across the church, this fills a vital need.”

Anne Ditzler, who had served as Executive Director of CampuSource will join the ECF staff and continue to serve as the primary consultant for these ministries.