Minnesota South District, LCMS

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To All Generations September Update

From the start of the To All Generations (TAG) appeal, our desire has been for all of our churches, schools, and early childhood centers to see themselves benefitting from involvement in the campaign. We’ve heard concerns lately that some ministries are unable to participate in TAG due to commitments to their own ministry needs or financial challenges in their ministry.
 
We want to enable congregations to support local ministry needs through TAG. While ourinitiatives are the same, we’ve decided to slightly modify how these grants are distributed so that you can see your ministry deeply involved with TAG.
 
Original fundraising and grant distribution process: Whether through a ministry’s involvement or from individual donors’ direct contributions, all funds donated to TAG would be allocated to one of the three initiatives or undesignated to TAG (as donors indicate).
 
A ministry would apply for a grant concept that fits the TAG grant criteria under TAG Initiative A (strengthening education ministries). A grant can be applied for individually or collaboratively with other ministries. Based on the overall funds available from donors and the strength of the application, the Schools and Commissioned Ministers Committee will approve or disapprove a grant application.
 
New fundraising and grant distribution process: A ministry applies for a grant concept that fits the TAG grant criteria under TAG Initiative A (strengthening education ministries). Again, a grant can be applied for individually or collaboratively with other ministries.
 
The ministry and/or a collaborating ministry conduct(s) a local TAG fundraising effort, using the grant proposal as a motivator for donors. All funds donated to TAG during the congregation’s campaign would still be allocated to one of the three initiatives or undesignated to TAG (as donors indicate).
 
The ministry is eligible for every dollar donated by members of your congregation (or the collaborating ministries on your application) designated to Initiative A (Strengthening Education Ministries). Your ministry is guaranteed these funds up to the amount requested in the grant proposal. If your grant request amount is greater than the funds your ministry (and collaborators) has raised, the Schools and Commissioned Ministers Committee may approve funds that have been undesignated to TAG for your proposal.

Illustration
Church A applies for a $10,000 grant under Initiative A that fits within the grant criteria. Church A raises $8,000 for TAG Initiative A and $1,000 undesignated for general TAG initiative, so Church A is guaranteed up to $8,000 for an Initiative A grant. The Schools and Commissioned Ministers committee may decide if the additional $2,000 is to be funded with undesignated donations.
                                      
We hope this change encourages you to think about how you might involve your ministry in TAG. Grant applications will be presented to attendees of our Ideation Summit on September 16 and released online shortly thereafter.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Attend the second or third set of area information meetings (November 13-16, 2017 & January 8-11, 2018 or March 5-8, 2018 & April 9- 2, 2018).

Commit to giving your congregation members and school community the opportunity at least learn about the campaign, and if willing, to make a gift or pledge to this campaign above and beyond normal congregation giving.

Pray for the people of God to be generous stewards and give them opportunities to support this campaign.