HOW WE DO IT
FINANCES: THE DIOCESE​
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Current Budget Support:
The operations, mission, and ministry of our diocese are funded through voluntary contributions from our parishes. Guidelines are established for this voluntary contribution that call for parishes with a plate and pledge base of more than $150,000 to pledge 15%, and those with a pledge and plate base under $150,000 to pledge 10%. Our parishes have in the past and continue to be very generous. In 2024 and 2025, all parishes pledged and returned 100% of their commitment forms before the Diocesan Convention. Parish giving is voluntary and supportive.
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Budget Changes:
The budget reflects the bishop’s vision for the diocese, supported by over $10 million raised through various means such as the Equipping the Saints capital campaign, special gifts, and grants, which fund initiatives like Congregational Vitality, Leadership Development, Racial Healing, and Camp McDowell.
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Financial Challenges:
The diocese faces challenges common to many parishes, including fixed costs like salaries, insurance, and utilities, which increase annually. This makes funding new opportunities difficult. Bishop Curry’s leadership has prioritized raising money through one-time gifts for initiatives like Refresh and Renew grants.
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For 2025 budgeted expenses, revenue, and additional financial information view the complete diocesan profile.
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HOW WE DO IT
FINANCES: CAMP MCDOWELL
The amount budgeted for Camps and Conference Center funds Camp McDowell’s executive director compensation, fringes and expenses related to the meeting of the Department of Camp McDowell. Camp McDowell operations are funded primarily from the fee income generated by the Camp. In 2025, Camp McDowell has a proposed budget of $5,288,098. COVID-19 greatly impacted Camp’s operations; however, through ERC and other funding, Camp was able to weather the impact and is now at record revenue levels.
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The amount budgeted for Racial Healing and Sawyerville Ministries funds Sawyerville’s director compensation and benefits. In addition, it funds the Missioner for Racial Healing’s compensation and benefits. Sawyerville’s program expenses are funded by direct contributions designated for those ministries.
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Since 1997, diocesan funds have been combined into one pool for investment. Known as the Consolidated Trust and Designated Funds of the Diocese, the fund was also opened to parishes with the driving principle that by pooling funds for investment, a more diverse portfolio is possible increasing positive investment results. Started with just over $2 M, the fund today is approximately $33M and includes over 160 separate sub-accounts. Nearly 50 parishes are participating along with Camp McDowell, the Diocesan ECW, the Alabama Episcopal Foundation, the Nativity Historic Preservation Trust, Sawyerville, Happening, and Alabama Cursillo. The fund includes designated gifts and endowment funds of the diocese. The diocese imposes no fees for the management of this fund. The fund is overseen by trustees elected by the Diocesan Convention. The trustees, chaired by the treasurer of the diocese, meet quarterly to review performance, adjust managers, and review the asset allocation. Investment advice and reporting is provided by CapTrust. The trustees make investment decisions with the intent of maximizing return with reasonable risk and with attention to issues of socially responsible investing.
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For 2025 Camp McDowell budgeted expenses, revenue, and additional financial information view the profile.
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Equipping the Saints:
A Transformative Campaign for the Episcopal Church in Alabama
Our capital campaign, Equipping the Saints: A Transformative Campaign for the Episcopal Church in Alabama represents a bold vision for a future where all churches in our diocese flourish, led by excellent leaders who proclaim the Gospel and share the love of God with all people. The resolution to proceed with the campaign was voted on and adopted by delegates at diocesan convention in 2023, and formally kicked off at convention in February 2024. The campaign raised $7.7 million between January 2024 and July 2025. The focus areas of the campaign include Congregational Vitality, Camp McDowell, and Racial Healing & Pilgrimage.
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HOW WE DO IT
GOVERNANCE
Diocesan Convention
The Diocesan Convention meets annually in February as set by Standing Resolution. Lay delegates are elected annually with representation based on the number of confirmed communicants in good standing in their respective parishes. Additionally, each campus ministry center elects 1 delegate and the Youth Department elects 2 delegates. The convention adopts an annual budget; sets policy through canonical amendments and resolution; elects deputies to the General Convention; elects the officers of the diocese; receives reports from various departments and groups; and elects the Chairs of the various departments, commissions, and task forces of the diocese.
Special Roles and Ministry Teams
The canons provide for a Chancellor, Treasurer, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary and Treasurer with their duties to be assigned by the bishop. Except for the assistant, each is elected to a three-year term and may not be reelected for one year.
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There are three departments of the diocese established by the canons: (1) The Department of Finance, (2) The Commission on Ministry, and (3) The Department of Music, Architecture and the Allied Arts. Subject to confirmation by the Diocesan Council, the bishop may appoint and assign duties to other agencies of the diocese. Currently, there are 11 additional departments, commissions, and task forces.
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Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council has by canon law the “authority of the convention, between meetings of the convention.” Financial, legal, personnel, and property matters all flow through the Council for action. In addition, the Council oversees the ministries of the diocese through a structure of departments, commissions, and task forces. Membership on the Council includes 12 representatives elected from the 3 districts by the Convention and 2 appointed by the bishop. It has long been the custom for the 2 appointed members to be a rotation of members of the Youth Department and the President of the diocesan Episcopal Church Women. The Council convenes monthly at Carpenter House.
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Standing Committee
The Standing Committee consults closely with the bishop as a “council of advice” in matters relating to the clergy, the process leading to ordination, matters of conduct and Episcopal oversight, Episcopal transitions, and action on Episcopal elections in other dioceses. The Standing Committee is elected by the Convention and consists of 4 ordained and 4 lay persons. Meetings are less frequent than those of the Council.
Diocesan Staff
The offices of the diocese are in downtown Birmingham adjacent to the Cathedral Church of the Advent. The office building was named in honor of the sixth bishop of the diocese, Charles Carpenter, and is known as Carpenter House. Our diocesan staff support, equip, and inspire our parishes as they spread the life-changing love of Jesus through word and action. They are committed to cultivating congregational vitality in our parishes and Christian communities, and offer guidance and resources that will help ensure all parishes thrive for the next 100 years. Learn more about our bishops and staff here.
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