Applications Opening on May 1, 2026 | Participation is limited to 30 families | Learn More Here
Welcome to Financial Health Initiative
Supporting Clergy Families in Building Financial Stability
Empowering clergy and their families with education, coaching, and direct support to overcome financial challenges, so they can continue their sacred mission of serving the Church with peace of mind.
Empowering Our Clergy Families for a Brighter Future
Discover Financial Health Initiative
FHI Program Director Fr. Stephen Vernak with his wife Mka. Anna.
“It is my prayer that the FHI program will help clergy couples steward their financial resources more effectively, and with a measure of hope as they strive to serve Christ and His Church.”
– Fr. Stephen Vernak
Who We Are
The Financial Health Initiative (FHI) was established to support clergy couples, their families, and the laity of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in addressing the financial challenges that arise as they serve the Church.
What We Do
We provide a range of services to help clergy families:
- Education: Financial management and planning resources.
- Financial Coaching: Tailored support to address financial concerns.
- Direct Financial Support: Debt alleviation and retirement savings assistance.
Why It’s Needed
“Clergy health and economic stability are perennial challenges facing our Church. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to renew our efforts to foster the physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our clergy so that our parishes and institutions will be guided by pastors who can fulfill the Apostolic work of the Church.”
– His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon
Father Victor & Mka Anastasia
St. Stephen’s Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA
We just completed the course, and we feel that this will have a good long-term positive effect. It’s about establishing a system where we put a certain amount aside and over time see actual results. We’ve been talking for a while about changing the way we handle finances, but talking isn’t enough, there needs to be a visible outcome, like increase in our savings, instead of just getting by month to month.
It’s also about developing a habit, something that takes years. It’s not something you fix in three months. It has to become part of your routine, a system for how you run things. The EveryDollar app definitely makes establishing such a routine much easier.
When you’re not constantly worrying about how to pay for things, you can focus more on what you need to, people, ministry, family. It clears your mind.
This program also helped my wife become more aware of what’s going on financially. Before, it was hard to track things. The EveryDollar app allows her to focus on that part, and it lets me give more attention to the parish.
The motivation is to know what you’re doing financially, to have the know-how of spending wisely. God gave us this gift, and we have to be good stewards of it. We’re accountable for how we use what we have.
We highly recommend participating in the Financial Health Initiative to anyone who is considering it. I have to commend the church, and particularly Father Nicholas Solak, and Father Stephen Vernak, for spearheading this effort. It shows a true care for our clergy and their families.
Father Jacob & Mka Jenna Van Sickle
Protection of the Virgin Mary in Merrillville, IN
It’s been revolutionary. I now appreciate having my finger on the pulse of things and can really see month to month what is going on in a way that I had never paid attention to before.
Since doing this for 6-7 months, we have been saving more money than we did before. The Financial Health Initiative came at a good time for us, not an emergency, but we have been promising our kids that before they leave home, we would take a trip to Europe together. Having this handle on finances has meant that we really know what we can afford to spend and how much we need to save each month to make sure that when the time comes, we’re not dipping wildly into our emergency fund.
In our marriage, it feels more like I’m a partner in all things now, this has been very good for us.
Financial Health Initiative Application Process
Apply Early for Cohort 2 Consideration
The FHI application process begins with a basic application, followed by Diocesan eligibility verification and access to the full application. Completed applications will be time-stamped and reviewed for Cohort 2 selection.
Complete the basic application ASAP
(no later than May 14, 2026)
Selection for Cohort 2 is based upon the first completed applicant from each Diocese, then in order of completed applications for the rest of the pool.
If you have not received to basic application, please reach out to fhi@opl.oca.org to request.
Diocesan Eligibility Determination
Once the basic application is completed, your Diocesan administration will be asked to verify your eligibility. Following the Diocesan verification you will receive access to the full application.
Once the full application is successfully submitted your application will be time-stamped and we will select Cohort 2 on the following basis:
- Diocese Preference – the first completed application from each Diocese will be enrolled (15 max total)
- Order of Completion – the completed applications of the remaining pool, regardless of Diocese (remaining pool up to 30)
Cohort 2 Selection
On May 15, 2026 we will send information regarding selection for Cohort 2.
Note: Those who are not selected will be given preference for Cohort 3 (May 2027).
Have questions or need the basic application?
Please email fhi@opl.oca.org for assistance.
Empowering Our Clergy Families for a Brighter Future
Survey Highlights
Recent surveys highlight financial concerns clergy families are facing:
- Emergency Funds: 48% of clergy families could only sustain themselves for less than three months in an emergency.
- Savings: Over half report saving less than 5% of their monthly income.
- Standard of Living: 26% of priests and 28% of wives report living “below par” for their area.
- Financial Stress: 36% of priests and 58% of clergy wives worry about meeting living expenses.
Iconographer: Dmitry Shkolnik
Empowering Our Clergy Families for a Brighter Future
About Financial Health Initiative
The Financial Health Initiative is a dedicated program of the OCA Office of Pastoral Life. Our mission is to support clergy families with the financial tools and education they need to thrive as they serve the Church. By fostering financial health, we help ensure that our clergy can continue their sacred ministry without undue financial burden.
Events
Our Financial Health Initiative is rolling out in cohorts, starting in 2025. Here’s how to get involved:
Cohort 1
(Diocese-Selected)
2025 – Complete!
Cohort 2
(Open Applications)
Begins in May 2026
Cohort 3
(Open Applications)
Begins in May 2027
Cohort 4
(Open Applications)
Begins in May 2028
Resources
Explore valuable resources that can help clergy families take charge of their finances:
Lilly Endowment Grant
