God gives us everything freely. His grace comes to us. Our meager finances and possessions that He allows us to have while on this earth are gifts from His goodness. He gives us salvation simply because He loves us. Anything we do is a response to that goodness given to us. So we give to others with joy! As Paul described in 2 Corinthians.
UPDATE: 3/10/2026: This program’s pilot test was a great success! Therefore, St. Luke’s has authorized a renewal and update of it! Please note that projects will now be partially funded by St. Luke’s while allowing volunteer groups to raise some of the funds up front.
Leadership has approved a 25/75 ratio for first time projects (ex: if your project will cost $1,000. Your group must raise at least 25% ($250) of that total before St. Luke’s will commit to covering the balance (75% or $750). Once you have confirmed you have raised your portion (25%), St. Luke’s can then release the balance for your project.
The process is simple: St. Luke’s donors provide the Finances, you provide the Labor, Influence, and/or Expertise through community service projects. As of 3/10/2026, you have TWO service option levels.
Which Service Track is right for your group's project?
Large Group Service Grant
Intended to encourage more than 5 people to participate in a large project. Funding available up to 75% of your project’s total cost capping our support at a max of $2,500 per project.
Small Group Service Grant
Intended for at least a 2 person team (max of 5), to participate in a smaller project. Funding available up to 75% of your project’s total cost capping our support at a max of $500 per project.
IMPORTANT TIPS:
- No funds can be directly given to a partner charity/non-profit unless authorized by St. Luke’s.
- It is highly encouraged that the majority of your group participate in some part of the project’s execution. Avoid low participation by group members.
- Funds must be used to supply materials for creating/executing your project. No funds can be directly given to the intended recipients of your project (aka: do not donate funds to a person).
- It recommended that your group select the window of time that works best for your group and the intended recipients. Please avoid starting and stopping the project multiple times. Recurring projects should not take more than 10 days to complete.
- Projects that bless established in-house ministries of St. Luke’s will not be considered for this program because the program is designed for community impact and member faith mobilization. In addition, all of St. Luke’s in-house ministries are already covered under our annual budget.
Project Types to Consider
- Backpack item collection, assembly and hand out to local homeless people.
- Meal prep and delivery to homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels.
- Paint a house for shut-in who is ill and cannot do it themselves or lacks funds to hire a professional.
- Backpack collection and item assembly for school aged children.
- Replenishment of household goods for a Haven family displaced by a house fire or hurricane.
- Holiday meal packets and delivery.
- Purchase, assemble, and decoration of 12 student picnic tables at a school in Bithlo.
- BBQ and meet-n-greet encouragement/prayer time with homeless folks on Colonial Blvd.
- Equipment and materials purchased to knit caps for patients battling cancer.
(Not an exhaustive list. Feel free to find/create/suggest your own)
How to get Funding
Determine which ‘funding track’ your project is best suited for. Make sure your project meets the parameters of the funding track you have selected. Confirm the majority (preferably all) of your group members can participate in some way.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU APPLY?
- St. Luke’s Stewardship Department will respond to your request within 2-business days.
- Your project idea will be considered viable if it meets the purposes established above, but the final decision rests with the St. Luke’s Stewardship Committee.
- All application and project questions should be submitted via email to meet auditor guidelines (stewardship@sllcs.org).
- While we endeavor to approve all project ideas within 2 business days, in rare cases, a project may not be clearly definable or Stewardship may have questions and need to consult the larger Stewardship Committee. We promise to keep you informed on the progress. In some cases, your project might be better served by our Church Benevolence Fund. Should we determine this to be the case, we will provide you with additional information.
- Once approved, depending on how you answer questions on the Application Form, we will move forward with the funding of your project.