What is the Threshold Fund?
The Saint Mark's Cathedral Threshold Fund is an important part of the cathedral's Housing Justice Ministries. Launched in 2018 as an initiative of Saint Mark's Homeless Advocacy Ministry, the fund helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness by providing financial assistance with rental deposits and move-in costs, lowering the financial barrier to safe, permanent housing. It is administered in collaboration with Catholic Community Services. Donations can be made at Saint Mark's secure online giving page.
Saint Mark’s Threshold Fund Details
- This fund provides qualified recipients with first and last month’s rent and security deposit— half as an outright gift, half as a loan to be repaid when they are able.
- The average subsidy in each case is approximately $1600.
- We partner with Catholic Community Services (CCS) to administer the program, which includes case management to ensure those in need obtain the support services from which they will benefit.
- We pay a small fee to CCS to provide this service on our behalf, ensuring that we have professional staff vetting each case.
Threshold Fund Testimonials
HJ is the head of a multigenerational household consisting of three adults and two children, including one adult with a disability. The family was in need of a larger living space to better accommodate their household. While they had sufficient income to support the rent for a new apartment, they did not have the financial resources needed to cover the additional move-in costs. Through assistance from the Threshold Fund, the family was able to secure safe, stable housing with enough space for everyone to live comfortably and thrive.
AH was referred to the Threshold fund by the Everett School District. AH is a survivor of domestic violence who has been working hard to feel stability again. The Threshold fund was able to help ensure this family was able to move into stable housing where they can feel safe and secure.
BU was referred by social workers at Harborview. BU has been living homeless for 3 years, and has finally secured work and was ready to start his new life in stable housing. With the help from the Threshold fund BU was accepted into an affordable apartment designed for supporting folks exiting homelessness. BU is finally home.
UPDATE (December 2025)
Thus far this year, the Threshold Fund helped eighteen households with a total of $16,605, including families with children at Lowell Elementary School, whom we referred for this assistance.
Since 2018, the Threshold Fund has helped scores of individuals and families access safe, secure housing. To date, over $200,000 has been used to support families through Saint Mark’s Threshold Fund.
If you’d like to make a gift to help continue this important part of our Housing Justice ministries, please do so on the cathedral's giving page, or contact Erik Donner in the church office.
Annual Impact
2025 Threshold Fund Report
In 2025, Saint Mark's Threshold Fund helped move 18 families into housing. A total of almost about $16,805 in assistance was distributed. Your generosity makes this good work possible.
2024 Threshold Fund Report
2023 Threshold Fund Report
2022 Threshold Fund Report
2021 Threshold Fund Report
2020 Threshold Fund Report
In 2020, Saint Mark's Threshold Fund helped move 13 individuals to move out of homelessness into a safe secure home by providing the security deposit, first month’s rent, and application fees.
2019 Threshold Fund Report
Since launching the program in March 2019, 14 households (30 individuals in all) have received assistance totaling more than $17,300. The average assistance was $1,237.