Art Scherer Memorial Crisis Grants

In 2020, MALIM’s founding president, Rev. Dr. Art Scherer died after many years of illness. He requested that MALIM be designated as the recipient for memorial contributions. After an initial outpouring of generosity, the Board of Directors created the Art Scherer Memorial Crisis Response Fund.

Rev. Scherer was always mission-focused. His guiding Scripture was Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Throughout his ministry and as Southeastern District-LCMS President (1997-2003), he encouraged congregations and individuals to further God’s mission, especially through wise stewardship of their resources. “Blessed by God to be a blessing to others” was his constant message.

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, MALIM undertook to raise additional monies for the Fund and began a process of awarding Crisis Response Grants. The purpose of Crisis Response Grants is to equip congregations and preschools/daycare centers with resources to assist in meeting the unique missional challenges/opportunities resulting from the pandemic. Specifically, these grants are intended to support activities that Move God’s Mission Forward within the congregation/preschool and/or missional outreach to the broader community. Maximum grant: $5,000.

As the COVID-19 crisis is slowing lessening, the Crisis Grant program has ended as of April 1, 2021.  Over $228,000 has been donated over the past year and over $227,000 in grants have been awarded to congregations and child development centers/preschools to meet unanticipated needs arising from the pandemic. One source of funds, for which MALIM gives thanks, came through a partnership with the Lutheran Home and Hospital Foundation (LHHF) which entrusted MALIM with $82,500 to fund projects within LHHF’s geographical grant funding area (MD and DE). These funds were shared with the Southeastern District-LCMS to meet the most needs possible.

See our GRANTS HISTORY page for a list of past grant awards.