2024 Eno River Fellowship Foundation Grant Awards

Thanks to the generosity of ERUUF members and friends who have donated to the Eno River Fellowship Foundation endowment, each year the Foundation is able to award grants for infrastructure enhancements and program initiatives that support ERUUF’s mission and strategic goals.  This year the Foundation is excited to award seven grants, totaling $28,650.  These awards, described in the Table below, are made possible by legacy gifts and other donations to the Foundation’s Initiatives and Enhancement Endowment Fund. 

Project Title

Ministry Team(s) or Group

Description

Amount Awarded

Pauli Murray Event

Pride+ Action Group of the Justice Ministry and the Multicultural Team

To expand awareness of Pauli Murray’s extraordinary accomplishments in the areas of civil, women’s and human rights as a lawyer, professor and priest (in addition to poet and author), ERUUF hosted a moderated conversation with Rosita Stevens-Holsey, niece of Pauli Murray and co-author of the book Pauli Murray:  The Life of a Pioneering Feminist & Civil Rights Activist.

$750

Erosion mediation and landscaping Year 1

ERUUF Garden Team

This project is phase one of a comprehensive plan to mediate the erosion that is occurring from runoff of the paved parking lot to the northwest of the Fellowship Hall.  Phase one involves landscaping the lower water runoff areas with boulders and plants to create an aesthetic and easily maintained controlled waterway. 

$4,500

Equity Review and Update of ERUUF Congregation Bylaws and Policies, and Governance Policies of Nominating Committee and Healthy Congregation Committee

Board of Trustees Governance Committee, Nominating Committee, Healthy Congregations Committee, Theory of Change Committee

With the help of a consultant, the Governance Committee will undertake a review of, and propose amendments to, ERUUF Congregation Bylaws, the Board of Trustee Policy Manual, and governance policies of the Nominating and Healthy Congregation Committees.  The purpose of this effort is to ensure that our language reflects ERUUF values and supports our intention to be a welcoming and inclusive Beloved Community embracing members, visitors, and the greater community. Secondary project goals are to improve internal consistency and clarity among text sections, and to strengthen the effectiveness and sensibility of our governance language. 

$5,000

Emergency Preparation and Training

Administration, Coordinating Team

This project will secure an updated campus safety evaluation and on-site training that will address specific and unique concerns for this community.

$3,000 

Hearing Assist Upgrade

Tech Team, Sound Team

This project updated the hearing assist equipment in the sanctuary with a new transmitter that can broadcast both analog and digital signals, added 24 new receiver devices with rechargeable batteries and docking station, and added a few headphones and loops. Additionally, the digital signal can be paired with a smartphone app to sync to hearing aids.

$8,200

Diverse & Sensory Toys & Books for RE

Religious Exploration

This project will provide volunteers and children toys that support the exploration of Unitarian Universalism while offering a diverse array of options that support different sensory and developmental needs. Providing sensory stimulation can improve focus, especially for neurodiverse children and those who need to engage with materials from all learning styles. Providing fidgets and other sensory items for the classrooms and the sanctuary can provide children necessary outlets for when sensory needs arise. The hope is that these materials will provide opportunities to deepen connections with children and Unitarian Universalism.

$1,200

House Band Year 1

Worship Team, Music Team

This project would establish a house band to accompany congregational singing and enhance the overall worship experience. In addition, this will help us in our REI efforts to be more radically welcoming and to offer culturally inclusive musical styles.

$6,000