We all like to know that our charitable gifts make an impact. Whether gifting to the Church, the local food bank, a program for victims of domestic violence, a pet shelter, or one of the many other nonprofits that provide assistance to worthy causes, it is important to know our gifts make a difference.
Rest assured, your gifts to HELM have a tremendous impact on the lives of students and their ability to be leaders of the future. For example,
- For more than 20 years, between twenty and forty Disciples students have annually participated in HELM’s Leadership Fellows Program (LFP). Fellows appreciate the scholarship stipend, for sure, but more importantly, HELM gives them the opportunity to become a community and develop both their vision and experiences in order to become stronger future leaders of the Church and global community. To learn more: https://helmdisciples.
org/leadership-programs/ leadership-fellows-2024/ Your gifts not only sustain, but allow this program to grow! - High school seniors from Disciples congregations can participate in the Youth Leadership Symposium (YLS). This six-month program pairs students with mentors from throughout the life of the Church, business, higher education and beyond. Students learn important life skills, develop a better understanding of how congregations operate, and find ways to impact their local church through leadership service projects. All of this at no cost to the student participant or their congregation. To learn more: https://helmdisciples.
org/yls-comes-to-helm/ Your gifts help mentor our future leaders! - And, of course, there are many direct scholarships offered to undergraduate, Seminary and PhD students associated with Disciples congregations. Whether they are named scholarships created by a donor or a congregation, or part of HELM’s general scholarship program, these funds support Disciples students with a hand up as they continue to pursue their dreams of a college degree and a successful life afterward. These scholarships also remind students that the Church walks alongside them on the journey.
If you or your congregation is interested in starting an endowed scholarship fund to benefit Disciples students, let’s talk. We’d like to hear about the impact you would like to make, and can structure the scholarship to benefit a student from a specific congregation, city, region, or even a specific path of study. I can be reached at jcullumber@helmdisciples.
Additionally, there are many tax-savvy ways for individuals to fund the scholarships, including a direct gift of appreciated stock, that bypasses capital gains and Qualified Charitable Distributions from traditional retirement accounts. Together we can find a way that makes the most sense for your situation.
You can make a difference, not just in students’ lives, but in the lives of those who that student will positively impact throughout their own lifetimes. This truly becomes a gift with no end.