Behrens Trust Fund grant

The Henry & Virginia Behrens Trust was made possible through the generosity of Henry & Virginia Behrens and provides money to be distributed annually and in sizeable amounts for extraordinary events such as, but not limited to, substantial capital expenditures for both in-reach and outreach purposes. While the needs of Falmouth are given first consideration; state, national and international needs are also considered.

The Behrens Fund—a ministry of Saint Barnabas’s Episcopal Church in Falmouth— is offering $50,000 in 2026 grants to help nonprofit organizations locally, in the Episcopal Diocese and in other areas needing humanitarian work.
 
Grants range from $1,500 to $25,000. Since the program was established in 2003, over $1,000,000 has been awarded to qualified applicants.
 
Invitation to apply “We encourage organizations to apply for grants for meaningful projects that can significantly help people in need,” said David Forsberg, previous chairman of the Behrens Fund Committee.“For example, in Falmouth we helped shelter the homeless and help provide needed resources to low-income families. In Guatemala we fund the Maya Childcare Center’s work with impoverished families.”
 
Grant applications will open in March 2026. Forms are available by clicking the box below, from the office of Saint Barnabas’s Memorial Episcopal Church located at 91 Main Street, Falmouth, or by sending an email request to the office (office@stbfalmouth.org). The deadline to receive the applications is April 1, 2026.

Recipients of last year's grant funds are eligible to apply for continued support as long as final reports have been submitted prior to April 1, 2026 for projects funded.

A history of commitment
Well-known local philanthropists Virginia and Henry Behrens, who had moved to Falmouth shortly after World War II, were active members of the community. Their efforts supported Woods Hole research, the Falmouth Historical Society, Falmouth Hospital and Saint Barnabas’s church where Henry Behrens served as treasurer and a member of the Vestry. Following his death in 2000, Saint Barnabas’s was named in his will as the beneficiary of an $800,000 endowment that became the basis of the Behrens Fund. Over the years, dozens of worthy nonprofit organizations have benefited from the generous endowment.
 
For more information on Behrens Fund grants, contact the church office at 508-548-3863.