The Marco Lutheran Church Foundation has awarded a record total of $302,779 in grants to various Christian not-for-profit organizations this year. Since its establishment in 1999, the Foundation has disbursed a total of $2.2 million to support local, national, and international initiatives. This year’s funding, which encompasses 22 grants—nine local, three national, and ten international—marks the largest amount ever allocated in a single year.
Karen Kuhnly, chair of the Foundation Board, expressed pride in the Foundation’s ability to support these organizations. “We look for 501(c)(3) organizations that provide resources, education, food, and hope for the less fortunate in our communities and world,” she explained. Kuhnly emphasized that the funded organizations demonstrate a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life and future prospects for those they serve.
Grant Highlights and Impact
Among the notable grants awarded this year are several initiatives aimed at improving education and living conditions. For instance, Christ the King Lutheran Church in LaBelle, Florida, received funding to develop a Christ-centered STEM, Agricultural Science, and Life Skills program for students in grades 6–12. The Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, also in Florida, will use its grant to construct hurricane-resilient apartments for working families.
In Naples, Pelican Lutheran Church will fund a Spanish-speaking Deacon to support its existing Pastor, while Our Daily Bread in Marco Island is set to provide breakfast for children at several local schools, including Tommie Barfield Elementary and Manatee Elementary.
Further afield, Our Father’s Lutheran Church and School in Greenfield, Wisconsin, will assist Congolese families with transportation and food, and create a permaculture farm to support self-sufficiency. In Malawi, Design Outreach aims to install a reliable water source for 15,000 people, while Haggai International in China will focus on training Christian leaders to spread their message. In Haiti, Trinity Hope will use its funding to ensure that 147 children, teachers, and cooks receive meals every school day.
The Future of Outreach Efforts
The collective impact of these grants is expected to enhance educational opportunities, alleviate hunger, and improve living conditions for countless individuals. Lili Surber, chair of the grant program, noted the high caliber of grant applicants this year, stating, “It is such a blessing to be able to help such dedicated organizations impact their communities and share the love of the Marco Lutheran family and the love of God with their constituents.”
The Marco Lutheran Church Foundation invites the public to support these initiatives through prayers for the grant recipients and their ministries. Those interested in learning more about the Foundation or wishing to make a donation can reach out via email at [email protected] or visit their website at marcolutheran.org/foundation.
