In 1977, a separate division was established in the Diocese of California by the name Episcopal Community Appeal (ECA) to serve the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.

[2] Since then, Episcopal Charities, one of the first organizations committed to addressing the issues of homelessness in the Bay Area, has continued to advocate for the poor and marginalized.

Caspar Weinberger, the 15th United States Secretary of Defense, served as Episcopal Charities first board president alongside Bishop Swing.

During his time with Episcopal Charities, Bishop Swing helped the nonprofit grow into a network of social service agencies that served more than 40,000 disadvantaged people each year.

[4] Episcopal Charities’ mission is: “To support new and existing nonprofit agencies in their effort to make a crucial difference in the lives of poor, oppressed and endangered individuals in need in the San Francisco Bay Area, regardless of their religious affiliation or practice.” [5] The nonprofit operates “Action Networks” that bring together volunteers who are interested in addressing the root causes of poverty in areas of healthcare, education, and environment.