GCS Manna Grants: Now accepting applications
Manna Grants are intended to support new and continuing projects in the Grand Canyon Synod that work to alleviate hunger and address the root causes of hunger, and which demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making. All organized congregations, New Starts, Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs), and Special Ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod are eligible to apply.
Apply by July 31, 2023! Grants up to $10,000 are expected to be awarded.
A team from Ascension Lutheran in Paradise Valley (Molly Gary, Karen Olson, Laura Musfeldt, and Rev. Randy Winsand) present a $90,000 check to Bishop Hutterer to fund the Manna Grant at the 2022 GCS Synod Assembly.
About the Manna Grant
The funding for the Manna Grant came from Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, honoring the legacy of member Orpah Hoganson. The church will provide an additional $90,000 towards hunger later in the year.
Orpah was a librarian in the public schools and enjoyed reading to children attending Sunday School. While she did not have a family, many called her “Grandma.”
As a younger woman, she enjoyed the summers off from the school by traveling. She would take a room on a commercial freighter and see the world, often not knowing exactly where the ship would end up. Here she saw poverty and hunger in ways that created her desire to help. Serving in public schools also exposed her to the need for hunger relief in the community.
She decided in her later years she could make a difference. First, she gave money to church members who could go to India to open a clinic where the need for health care was great.
Upon Orpah’s death, her estate gave $180,000 to Ascension Lutheran to be used for local hunger and world hunger. This was managed by the church for twenty years and it was decided it was time to use this in a dynamic way with these Manna Grants.
Application requirements:
This application form must be completed in its entirety. Omission of any requested information will affect the score awarded to the grant proposal.
The completed form must be sent to office@gcsynod.org no later than midnight on July 31, 2023. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The Grand Canyon Synod website link will go live in mid-June.
A hunger grant-writing webinar will be offered in the last week of June (exact date TBD).
Questions about the grant application or process should be directed to Theresa Thornburgh in the Office of the Bishop at office@gcsynod.org or 602-957-3223.