NEW YORK – The Leadership 100 Board of Trustees, in a historic vote, approved a total of $8.2 million in grants, including a grant of $5 million for the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine and $3,174,158 million in additional grants, bringing the total of grants distributed since the founding of Leadership 100 to $60 million. The vote took place on February 19 at the 29th Annual Leadership 100 Conference in Palm Beach, FL, which concluded on Sunday, February 23, according to Chairman Argyris Vassiliou.

“We wanted to respond to the priorities of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros by offering the fullest participation possible in supporting the St. Nicholas National Shrine and ministry. Our action demonstrates the support of Leadership 100 in ensuring the realization of this significant national symbol for our Church and our Nation,” Vassiliou said.

The St. Nicholas grant will be paid over the next two fiscal years, $2.5 million in 2020 and $2.5 million in 2021. The Executive Committee had approved the grant, along with additional new and prior year grants of $3,174,158. 

In addition to the required Executive Committee approval of all grants, the decision was made to submit the St. Nicholas grant to the full Board of Trustees for their support because of its significance.

It is reminded here that in 1984, under the guidance of Archbishop Iakovos, The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund was created as an endowment fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to provide an opportunity for Greek Orthodox leaders to support the life-sustaining ministries of the Church.

In 1998, The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund Incorporated was formed as a 501(c)(3) New York corporation that supports the National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in advancement of Orthodoxy and Hellenism.

Leadership 100 members pledge $100,000, which is paid over a period of 10 years or less, except for young professional and junior members who pay the pledge on a graduated scale.

Since its inception in 1984, Leadership 100 has distributed $60 million in grants that have ranged from providing scholarship funds for individuals studying for the priesthood at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology to supporting a variety of National Ministries. These have included Religious and Greek Education, Youth, Young Adult and Camping Ministries, Family and Marriage Services, Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Internet Ministries and Home Mission. Leadership 100 has also provided humanitarian assistance during national and international crises.

The Leadership 100 Executive Committee approves grants submitted by the Grant Committee after consultation with the Archbishop. The principal of the Fund remains permanently restricted and inviolate.

Today, with more than 1,100 members, Leadership 100 is a philanthropic driving force within the Church, the Greek American Community, and in the nation and the world that transforms institutions and lives.