The Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children (ACFC)
The Anglican Diocese of Central Newfoundland provides support to Anglican children in our local communities when a specific need for financial assistance has been identified.
The Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children (ACFC) is a Trust established in 1971 when the Anglican Orphanage was sold. Proceeds from the sale were invested in a Trust to be used to assist Anglican children in need. There is a Board of Trustees for each of the three diocese in Newfoundland and Labrador. (see History and Organizational Structure below).
To be effective, it is important that our clergy and laity are aware of the needs in the parish and that they bring these needs to the attention of the Board.
The Work of the ACFC
Each Board of Trustees meets regularly to receive applications from assistance that come from parishes. Following the Guidelines of the Charity, assistance is provided where applicable. Bursaries are also provided to those continuing post secondary education.
Each year the Board of Managers provides a Grant to each Diocesan Church Camp facility, and assistance to special projects which fall within the Guidelines noted on this web page.
Guidelines
Application Process
If you require financial assistance please contact your Parish Priest who will work with you under the guidelines as set forth by the charity (see below or download).
Please Note:
- Funding can only be provided to individuals who have an Anglican affiliation (i.e. a member of Church Youth Groups, Sunday School, C.L.B. etc..)
- All forms must be completed by the Parish Priest or designate, NOT the applicant
ACFC Maximum Funding Guidelines
A. Clothing and Footwear Assistance (once per twelve-month period):
Preschool – 8 $200
Ages 9 – 15 $250
Ages 16 – 19 $300
B. Bursaries:
1. Bursaries will be in the amount of $500.00 per semester.
2. Bursaries will be given to full-time students only.
3. Applicants must be no older than 25 years of age and must be completing their first degree.
4. Bursaries will not be given for second-degree programs and to second career persons.
5. Applicants will be required to include confirmation of current course registration, a copy of marks for the last completed semester and proof of full-time status.
6. No more than two bursaries will be granted in any twelve-month period.
7. It will be necessary to complete separate applications for each Bursary, with the appropriate documentation as indicated in (5) above.
In determining a “family income,” income from an applicant’s parents or guardians will NOT be considered where the applicant is:
1) not living with a parent or guardian and
i) has been in the labour force for two years, or
ii) has been out of high school for four years
(2) married and supporting a spouse and/or child(ren)
(3) not married but supporting a child(ren)
(4) living in a common-law relationship and supporting a spouse and/or child(ren)
C. Medical:
For a child requiring hospitalization or transportation to receive treatment, an amount of up to $1,000.00 annually per child.
D. Fire or any other Emergency:
For a family with a child(ren), up to $1,000.00 annually.
E. Reimbursement to a parish for Emergency Assistance:
Up to $100.00 per family annually. (This reimbursement is available only for assistance provided to families where a child(ren) are involved).
F. Special Circumstances:
A discretionary allowance of up to $1,000.00 annually for Anglican children who have special needs as demonstrated to the Board of Trustees.
G. Church Camps:
Payment of registration fee as set by the camp and will include a ‘tee-shirt’ where available.
H. Income: To qualify for assistance, the gross family income shall be less than $50,000 or at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Please note HST and CTB are no longer considered income.
Organizational Structure
In accordance with its Articles of Association, the Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children has three levels of administration:
- The Charity – This is the main body of the Foundation. Its membership is as follows: Each of the three dioceses appoints six members for a total of eighteen. The bishops or their delegates from each of the dioceses are also ex-officio members of the Charity.
- The Board of Managers – This is the body that implements policy and oversees the work of the Charity. The Board consists of ten members who are elected by the Charity at its annual meeting. It holds two regular meetings per year as well as special meetings that may be required to address some important issues.
- The Trustee Committees – Trustee Committees are appointed to represent the Dioceses. The chairperson and members of each committee are appointed by the Bishop of their respective Dioceses. Trustee Committees interface directly with clergy and ensure that our charitable projects are being fulfilled.
History of the Foundation
The Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children (ACFC) is successor to the Church of England Orphanage that had its beginning in 1855 during the episcopacy of the late Bishop Edward Feild.
ln 1854, Cholera swept through St John’s leaving many orphans. Bishop Edward Feild provided a house at the rear of the Cathedral Rectory and on Ash Wednesday 1855 seven boys and one girl from ages 4-8 were welcomed. Subsequent donations of additional properties in Long Pond (Job family summer home ‘Exon’ and then the Steers Farm by Sir Edgar Bowring) enabled expansion of the orphanage for boys and girls. For over one hundred years, the Church operated both orphanages in St. John’s to provide a home for Anglican children who came from all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The orphanages were supported by donations of money or goods from individuals, congregations and parishes as well as from private business enterprises. They were also sustained by extensive farm lands that were cultivated to provide a continuous supply of vegetables and dairy products. Many of the boys and young men worked on these farms during their stay at the orphanage.
The orphanages were closed in mid 1960s and by 1971, the properties were sold. Proceeds from the sales were invested for future use. At that time and during the episcopacy of the late Archbishop Seaborn, the Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children was incorporated and given the mandate to administer these investments in accordance with the fundamental principles that guided the establishment of the original orphanages.