Frank H. Epp Memorial Endowment Fund

Frank H. Epp Memorial Endowment Fund Committee

Dates of creation: 1986-2008

Physical description: 17 cm of textual records

Administrative history: The Fund was created as a memorial to Frank H. Epp, journalist, scholar and administrator. Shortly after his death in 1986, colleagues initiated the fund to "support pursuits in those areas of Christian concern to which his life was devoted." Five sponsoring agencies were named in 1986: Conrad Grebel College, Mennonite Central Committee (Canada), Mennonite Central Committee Peace Section, Mennonite Historical Society of Canada, and the Mennonite Publishing Service (Mennonite Reporter). In a 1987 agreement, the College was named the settlor of the fund, and Mennonite Foundation of Canada became the trustee.

A administrative committee was struck. The fund sponsors appointed one representative each to the committee. An Epp family member was added. The committee invited contributions to the fund from the Mennonite constituency, and met annually to conduct business and disburse grants. Administrative support was provided by Conrad Grebel College.

The committee issued annual invitations for applications. Scholarships, internships or funding for research, writing and the publication of works were provided in three areas: the history of minorities (especially Mennonites); peacemaking (particularly in the Middle East); Mennonite ecumenicity; and communication of the Christian faith. The first grant was awarded in 1989, and the last in 2007.

In 2008, due to declining fund earnings, the decision was made to refocus the fund to support initiatives at Conrad Grebel University College, primarily in the area of religion and peace. The sponsoring agencies agreed to give over full ownership of the fund to the College.

Custodial history: The Fund records were transferred to the Archives from the College in 2009.

Scope and content: Series consists of the minutes, correspondence, brochures, lists of grant recipients, successful applications, and press releases of the committee. Documents containing donor information, unsuccessful fund applications, social insurance numbers and letters of reference (for both successful and unsuccessful applications) have been withdrawn.

File list:

Series is arranged in four files:

1. List of fund recipients
2. Endowment Trust Agreement
3. Fund activity (chronologically, by year)
4. Oversize publicity materials (located in map cabinet)
   Poster for "Building bridges not walls" [in Palestine/Israel] event, Nov 2009

Return to top