© 2035 by The Clinic. Powered and secured by Wix
What is The Shepherd's Fund?
The Shepherd's Fund was established by a generous donor to bless retired pastors, their spouses, and their widow/widowers who have faithfully served Christ and His church. The Shepherd's Fund provides financial assistance when a medical or life stage crisis creates a hardship.
Identifying the Need
The majority of pastors serve small churches and do not have substantial salaries, often working second jobs to supplement their income. As a result, they often are not able to set aside an appropriate sum of money for retirement and when a medical crisis occurs this puts them in a financial crisis as well.
Grant Limitations
A retired pastor and their spouse can qualify for a one time grant up to $10,000 each or $20,000 total. They may reapply in subsequent years, especially if they have a chronic ongoing medical condition.
​
-
Grants may also be given to surviving spouses of pastors.
Our Process
1. REFERRAL
The Benefits or Alumni Office or other Denominational Leader identifies a retired pastor, spouse or widow with a financial need arising out of a major medical crisis. The Benefits/Alumni Office or Denominational Leaders provides the link to The Shepherd’s Fund website to the pastor or appropriate family member. The retiree, or family member can begin the online application (see button below). Once the application is submitted, the Benefits/Alumni Office Contact verifies that the retiree is in good standing with their appropriate denomination.
​
2. REVIEW
The Shepherd’s Fund will review the application and if approved will forward it to Helping Hands for screening.
3. DUE DILIGENCE
Helping Hands receives the application from The Shepherd’s Fund and will begin due diligence, validating the medical need of the minister, spouse or widow and the financial capacity to cover medical expenses. The information requested generally consists of: an income/expense form, a copy of most recent tax return and a letter from the attending physician stating current condition, treatment and prognosis.
​
4. APPROVAL
Helping Hands notifies The Shepherd’s Fund of the qualified project and recommended amount then opens the project for funding. The Shepherd’s Fund then approves the project funding amount.
5. DISTRIBUTION
Upon approval/denial Helping Hands will communicate with retiree/family and payee (physician, hospital, mortgage co, utility, hotel, airline, etc.) and issue the grant, most often paying costs directly.
​
6. FOLLOW UP
Helping Hands will update The Shepherd’s Fund on the status of active grants and any needs or issues that arise. The Shepherd’s Fund will communicate the status of applicants to the appropriate Benefits, Alumni or Denominational contact to keep them apprised and seek help in gathering information from the retiree, or their family, if needed.