Following a disaster, LCMS congregations may assess the relief needs among members and the community at-large, and then they can determine ways in which the district and/or area congregations want to respond to those needs.
- National Disaster Response Grant — apply online
- Emergency Field Case Assessment Survey Form
- Emergency Field Case Assessment Survey Spreadsheet
The initial request form is easy to complete and will be quickly reviewed. As you prepare the form, following are general points to remember about emergency disaster relief grants. We can provide immediate assistance to be used in three primary areas:
- Unmet needs of your members or member of the Lutheran church
- Unmet needs of people in the community at-large as determined by your leadership or appropriate board or committee
- Unmet needs related to the immediate repair of your church/school/parsonage
There are many ways we recommend for determining the needs and providing immediate assistance to members and other needy individuals in your community (see sample assessment forms above).
- Provide basic essentials such as food, water, shelter and medical care
- Provide gift cards to replace personal items ($100 maximum per person/family)
- Provide transitional housing for up to 90 days
- Provide immediate cash assistance as appropriate ($100 maximum per person/family)
- Provide short-term childcare assistance or childcare cost (30 days)
- Provide school tuition (if the congregation operates a school)
- Provide short-term transportation assistance (30 days)
- Provide debris clean-up assistance (both financial and through volunteers)
Remember that all aid and assistance provided with LCMS emergency disaster grants should be connected to the Word and Sacrament ministry of your district or local congregations.
LCMS Disaster Response
- Disaster Response: lcms.org/disaster
- Disaster Response Resources: resources.lcms.org
- Lutheran Early Response Teams: lcms-lert.org