As you know, on January 12, 2010, Haiti was struck by a severe magnitude earthquake that devastated their entire country. The Haitian people are suffering in the wake of the destruction. While there has been a global outpouring of aid, The Lutheran Foundation wishes to inspire stewardship in our Lutheran congregations and schools within our own little corner of northeast Indiana. We encourage you to give generously to the victims that need our help today.
On January 26, 2010 the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Foundation approved up to $250,000 in matching grant funds for earthquake relief in Haiti. Earthquake relief donations will be matched one-to-one for each dollar given by our congregations, schools, and individual congregation members. We will match funds given retroactive to January 12, 2010 when the first earthquake struck Haiti. This match will continue until $250,000 is reached, but no later than March 1, 2010.
(Your donations may be tax-deductible for the 2009 tax year. According to the IRS, taxpayers who itemize deductions on their 2009 return qualify for a special tax relief provision, enacted January 22. Only cash contributions made to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti after January 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, are eligible. This includes contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card.)
Please contact your congregation or school with proof of your recent donation for earthquake relief or with a new donation. They will report the total donations of your congregation or school to the Foundation. The Foundation matching dollars will be sent directly to Lutheran World Relief (www.lwr.org) to aid earthquake relief efforts.
Again, please advise your congregation or school of the good news of this matching grant opportunity. In these days of uncertainty following the wide-spread devastation caused by the earthquake, we have an opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s compassion and to provide a source of hope for so many experiencing seemingly hopeless situations.
Please contact Marcia Haaff directly at 260.458.2112, extension 304 or at mhaaff@thelutheranfoundation.org with any questions.