SPECIAL MATCHING GRANT OPPORTUNITY
All of us have seen the devastation caused by the recent earthquakes in Haiti. We grieve for the lives lost and for those lives in great jeopardy due to injury, disease, and lack of basic services. The Christian community is showing the world the hands and feet of our risen Savior by taking a leadership role in organizing and the providing desperately needed supplies and care.
Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis’ Board of Directors recognizes the efforts of our Delegate Member congregations in rapidly responding to this tragedy. Many of you have already raised and continue to collect thousands of dollars via door offerings and other special fundraising efforts.
In recognition of this, the Board voted this week to create a special one-time matching fund of up to $390,000 to double the impact of your efforts. Here is how funds will be distributed.
- Each Delegate Member congregation's match will be up to $6,000 (click here to view a full list of congregations).
- Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis will match dollar-for-dollar the cash donations raised by Delegate Member congregations in support of the Haiti disaster relief efforts.
- The match period for cash donations raised by the Delegate Member congregation is from January 12, 2010 (the date of the first earthquake) through February 28, 2010. Eligible donations include church funds, special door offerings, and/or special fundraising efforts coordinated by the congregation. The congregation must be able to document the funds raised.
- Non-cash donations (i.e., supplies, food, volunteers, etc.) will not be eligible for matching funds from the Foundation.
- Only funds donated by the congregation to a 501(c)(3) organization for Haiti disaster relief efforts are eligible for the Foundation’s match. Congregations will be responsible for sending donations to their designated organization. Funds raised should not be turned in to the Foundation.
- Lutheran Foundation’s matching gift will be awarded to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Board for World Relief and Human Care and designated to Haiti disaster relief efforts (NOT to the congregation or its designated organization). Funds will be donated in honor of our Delegate Member congregations.
To be eligible for this matching fund, we ask that you provide the following information to Lutheran Foundation no later than March 15, 2010:
- Name of your congregation
- Documentation of cash donations raised within the match period
- Name of 501(c)(3) organization benefiting from your congregation’s donation
Lutheran Foundation has also awarded a one-time grant of $100,000 to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Board for World Relief and Human Care designated to Haiti disaster relief efforts.
We hope you will join with Lutheran Foundation in showing Christian unity in responding to this tragedy. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Melinda K. McAliney at (314) 231-2244 x2.
Board
James R. Dankenbring, Chair
Robert E. Beumer, Vice Chair
Lynn G. Scudieri, Secretary
Jeffrey A. Craig-Meyer
Karl A. Dunajcik
Robert P. Ensor
Carl J. Fruend
Elizabeth A. Goad
Bruce Pompe
Evelyn Ann Irving, Ph.D.
Rev. Dr. Ronald D. Rall
Catherine Rodgers-Edmonds
Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler
Erickson T. Smith, Ph.D.
Paul N. Tice
Ann L. Vazquez (ex-officio)
Staff
Ann L. Vazquez, President/CEO
Melinda K. McAliney, Program Officer/Communications Director
Donna Luker, Office/Grants Manager
Lutheran Foundation
of St. Louis
8860 Ladue Road,
Suite 200
St. Louis, Missouri 63124
phone: (314) 231-2244
fax: (314) 727-7688