L100 APPROVES GRANTS OF $2.5 MILLION AT FINAL DAY OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Naples, FL – In an extraordinary session here today - the final day of the 16th Annual Conference of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Incorporated - the Executive Committee approved more than $2.5 million in new and continuing grants for 2007, with Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology receiving $1,472.935, the bulk of the funding for 2007 and out year commitments totaling more than $3 million. The National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will receive a total of $886,145. Other recipients included the Metropolis of San Francisco, $100,000 for a Family Wellness Center; the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, $50,000 for Campus Ministry; and Retired Clergy in Need, $12,600 pension supplement.

The majority of the funding in 2007 for Hellenic College/Holy Cross, $1,121,660, was for the continuation of a 10-year, $10 million scholarship program. Supplemental funding of $1,420,000 through 2010 was also approved to provide for the incoming seminarian class of 2007, while a study committee will report on a request from the school for a Phase II of the scholarship program over ten years. Additional funding of $250,000 a year over four years was awarded to the school for a major infrastructure plan to modernize, integrate and connect the school’s administrative and telecommunications systems, building a massive fiber-optic ring that will circumnavigate the school’s campus.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will receive previously approved funding for Internet Ministries ($165,200); Archives Digitization ($100,000 a year over three years); and Religious Education ($94,820). New funding will go to Greek Education Teacher Development ($135,000); the Center for Family Care ($132,950); Parish Stewardship and Development ($121,240); the Home Mission Parish Program ($102,000); Office of the Archbishop Correspondence Tracking System ($84,500); Preparing for Marriage and Beyond ($29,410); and a Youth Protection Manual ($22,300).

George D. Behrakis, Leadership 100 Chairman, said the grants approved in 2007 represented a broader range of support for both Orthodoxy and Hellenism, continued substantial support of Hellenic College/Holy Cross as a strategic priority to ensure well-trained highly qualified priests to serve parishes for decades to come, and innovative support for the Metropolises of the Church.