Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund

By - May 15, 2013

Grant Info & Application Form: Download PDF

Vision: To support the needs of victims of catastrophic natural disasters with a spirit of sharing God's love.

Mission: To demonstrate the love of Christ as we respond to natural disasters through local congregations.

Core Value: To carry out our work with the servant attitude of Jesus who said, "I did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mathew 20:28), and "As the Father sent Me, so I send you." (John 20:21)

According to the front page of the October 10, 2012 USA Today, natural catastrophes in the U.S. have skyrocketed from 63 in 1980 to 250 in 2010. Superstorm Sandy (October 22-31, 2012) is our most recent reminder of increasing natural disasters.

During the LCMC’s October 2012 Annual Conference, the LCMC Board of Directors approved the establishment of a Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund to provide emergency relief assistance to victims of natural disasters. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa, will administer the Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund (LDA Fund). Grants of up to $10,000 will be available for relief aid in the wake of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, ice storms, wildfires, flooding, and similar natural disasters.

Monies are currently being collected for the implementation of this program. Each LCMC congregation is asked to prayerfully consider being a part of this mission. Contributions of $100 to $10,000 or more will be welcomed and can be submitted by check or money order to:

Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund
c/o St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
8300 C Avenue NE
Marion, IA 52302

In summary:

100% of all contributions to the LDA Fund will go toward disaster relief grants
The goal of the Fund is to reach out to those impacted by disaster who otherwise would not have resources.
Grant decisions will be made by a committee made up of representatives from 5 contributing churches (one representative per congregation).
Grants will be limited to 50% of monies available at any given time, so as to not totally deplete the Fund in response to a single disaster.
If, in the future, the LDA Fund is no longer needed, is replaced or is not supported, a process of termination shall be initiated. This will be determined by a consensus of the current administrator and the 5 contributing church representatives. Any remaining funds on hand will be sent to the LCMC office for disbursement to their greatest need.
Refer to the LDA Fund Grant Criteria and Application Instructions for more details

CLARIFICATION OF GUIDELINES FOR LDA APPLICATIONS

1. LDA is not an insurance supplicant or guarantee of repair or replacement of lost property.

2. LDA does not approve requests for payment of insurance deductibles for any insurance policy.

3. LDA does not send checks for anticipated need ("as the need arises"). LDA sends checks for evidence/receipts of real need for the victims of disasters.

4. LDA does not pay for the needs of animals or livestock or pets.

5. LDA does not pay for restoration of landscaping or cosmetic repari due to the disaster.

6. LDA Grant check are sent $5,000 per received receipts up to $20,000 per disaster.

7. Depending on the context, (Pastor input) Up to $5,000 could be approved for any one family to replace appliances or repair damage due to the disaster.

8. LDA does not send checks to the individual. LDA sends checks to LCMC churches/funds to be distributed by the pastor who has confirmed the evidence/receipt of need by the family.

As of 2020, a separate grant fund called the Pastor’s Benevolence Emergency Fund has also been established to help provide relief to pastors in emergency situations. For more information, click here.

Questions?

Dave Brauhn, Chairperson
LDA Fund
c/o St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
8300 C Ave NE
Marion, Iowa 52302
Email (please use both): brauhn1864@gmail.com and stmarks@faith-life.org

Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund