AFEDJ FAQs

Founded in 1988, American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) is a nonpolitical, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to raising financial support for schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon that are owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. 

AFEDJ’s mission is to transform the lives of the vulnerable and displaced in the Middle East through support of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and its schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities.

We believe peace and prosperity can be achieved when people have access to comprehensive healthcare and children have access to quality education irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay. 100% of funds designated to specific institutions go directly to those institutions. Funds raised for “where most needed” enable AFEDJ to direct resources to critical areas. This approach ensures that AFEDJ can swiftly address urgent needs and emerging opportunities, while empowering us to adapt to evolving circumstances, deepen our impact, and foster resilience within the communities we serve. By supporting the diocese in its holistic mission to provide essential services and promote peace and reconciliation, we exemplify our mission, laying the foundation for lasting change and sustainable development in the Holy Land.Learn more about AFEDJ in the About section of our website.

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is one of three dioceses that comprise the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, one of 40 member provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The diocese spans five countries: Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria and is headed by its bishop, the Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum.

The diocese was formed in 1841. The current boundaries of the diocese were established in 1976. The first Palestinian bishop was elected in 1976. Archbishop Naoum is the 15^th bishop and fifth Palestinian bishop of the diocese.

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem owns and operates more than two dozen schools, hospitals, clinics, homes for the elderly, and centers for children with disabilities across the region, many of which are more than 100 years old. The humanitarian institutions of the Diocese of Jerusalem serve all people, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay.

AFEDJ supports institutions in Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon.

The majority of people served by the Diocese of Jerusalem’s humanitarian institutions are Palestinian Muslims and Christians, many of whom are refugees from the 1948 and 1967 wars. They live in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Please visit our online donation page to make your gift. Thank you for being a part of our mission.

Donors may designate that their gift be given to a specific institution both on our online donation page and with donations made by check. 100% of all funds designated for a specific institution go directly to the Diocese for that purpose. Many donors make gifts that may be used “where the need is greatest.” These donations provide AFEDJ with the flexibility to direct resources to critical areas.

AFEDJ staff work closely with program staff and institutional leaders in the Diocese of Jerusalem to monitor the use of funds transmitted through our safe, secure channel. This close, working relationship gives our donors confidence that their gifts are being used for their intended purpose.

AFEDJ has earned a four-star, 100% rating on Charity Navigator, reflecting our commitment to financial accountability and transparency, allowing you to give with confidence. Please learn more at the links above and review our financials.

AFEDJ’s policy is to comply with U.S. laws. We screen all of our grant recipients against computerized watch lists of terrorist organizations maintained by the U.S. Treasury Department on its Office of Foreign Assets Control list and through World Compliance (read our anti terrorism policy). In addition, AFEDJ is audited annually by independent auditors (see our most recent Audited Financial Statements).

We welcome planned gifts and other types of legacy giving. Donors who make a planned gift of any size become a member of AFEDJ’s Jerusalem Saints Society.

Most planned or legacy gifts are made through bequests and gifts of special assets such as real estate, stock, life insurance, or retirement accounts. 

To learn more about making a legacy gift, or to let us know you have already included us in your plans, please contact AFEDJ Executive Director Eileen Spencer at espencer@afedj.org or 914.924.9704.

Yes! We welcome gifts of stock. For stock transfer information, please contact Executive Director Eileen Spencer at espencer@afedj.org or 914.924.9704.

AFEDJ is a 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in Florida. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent permissible by law.

We invite you to review our 2024 audited financials and our 2024 IRS 990.

We would love to hear from you! Please contact our office via phone, mail, or email.

Donations by check may be made payable to AFEDJ and mailed to:

For USPS Mail
Please make your check payable to “AFEDJ” and send it to:

AFEDJ
PO Box 411814
Boston, MA 02241-1814

For FedEx and UPS
Please make your check payable to “AFEDJ” and send it to:

AFEDJ
25 Old Kings Hwy N, Ste 13
Darien, CT 06820

Staff contact information:

General email inquiries to information@afedj.org.

Eileen Spencer, Executive Director, espencer@afedj.org or 914.924.9704

Sarah Schofield-Mansur, Senior Director of Individual Giving, sarah@afedj.org or 617.834.9522

Betsy Wilson, Director of Senior Manager, Operations & Donor Services, bwilson@afedj.org or 860.384.1289

Charis Bhagianathan, Director of Communications, cbhagianathan@afedj.org

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