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welcome Bless & Serve Pastors Watch Our Video “Elders who are leading well should be admired and valued. Double up on the honor shown them; care for them well - especially those constantly and consistently teaching the word and preaching.” ​ — 1 Timothy 5:17 The Voice ourmission Our Mission Acknowledging, the charge in 1 Timothy 5:17 and recognizing the need of many pastors who have faithfully served for many years and in many cases with very little financial security to rely on in retirement. Our mission is to bless and serve retired or disabled pastors, their spouses, or widows who have faithfully served our Heavenly Father and His flock, by providing financial assistance when a medical crisis occurs and creates a hardship. ourvision Our Vision The Shepherd’s Fund was founded to help retired or disabled pastors, their spouses, or widows with a limited income, and who have health issues for which they can’t afford treatment or the financial impact it may have on their ability to provide for themselves. ​ Our vision is also to be a catalyst for generosity by inviting givers to be a part of caring for God’s shepherds. theneed 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 disabled pastors and their spouses, or widows of pastors. Grants may also be given to retired/disabled pastors that are legal custodians for their adult children that may have a disability from childhood. Grants may also be given to retired/disabled pastors that are legal custodians for their grandchildren that may have a medical crisis or disability, regardless of age. ourprocess Our Process 1. REFERRAL The Benefits or Alumni Office or other Denominational Leader identifies a retired/disabled 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. APPLY NOW ONLINE * NOTE: YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT AND USE THE CODE PROVIDED BY YOUR BENEFITS OR ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACT. * IMPORTANT* WE PREFER YOU COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION - ABOVE - HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION, YOU MAY CONTACT YOUR CONFERENCE BENEFITS OFFICE, ALUMNI CONTACT OR DENOMINATIONAL LEADER FOR ASSISTANCE OR A PAPER APPLICATION. testimonials TESTIMONIALS “We recognize this relief as truly a gift from God through his servants who joyfully accept that they have been blessed to be a blessing.” “It has been a joy [to] rediscover the sounds she had been missing, from singing birds and ticking clocks to the quiet little jokes that families love to share.” “I cannot tell you how much this grant means to me and my family. The very idea that the fund would continue to pay bills after he went home to be with the Lord is more than we could have imagined.” Quote Source / The Shepherd’s Fund

The Shepherds Fund Brochure (Pg. 1) The Shepherds Fund Brochure (Pg. 2) Frequently Asked Questions Q: I’m not sure I am eligible for this? A: The Shepherd’s Fund is for any retired clergy, spouse, surviving spouse, in a conference, denomination or organization with which we have established a partnership (If you have eligibility questions, please contact The Shepherd’s Fund office) . Our goal is simply to be a blessing to a minister who has faithfully served and sacrificed for Christ. Q: What are examples of situations that constitute a need? A: Health issues such as hearing, vision, cardiac issues, stroke, COPD, dementia, orthopedic, dental, diabetes are just a few examples. Q: Is this for emergencies only or “major” health crisis? A: No. While we certainly want to assist in emergency situations and most persons will not have “major” health crises – basic health issues and accumulative medical bills will weigh them down. The Shepherd’s Fund wants to help you bear these burdens (Galatians 6:2). Q: What kind of expenses can be covered? A: Depending on your situation; medical bills such as, doctors, hospitals, rehab, nursing homes, pharmacy, medical equipment. Co-Pays and Out of Pocket Expenses. Mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and transportation costs for travel for treatment may also be covered. Q: Will The Shepherd’s Fund pay for past medical expenses? A: Typically, no, but we may pay for expenses incurred within 90 days (per IRS regulations) prior to the date we receive an application. Q: Will The Shepherd’s Fund pay for Healt h Insurance premiums? Medicare Supplements, Drug, Dental & Vision Insurance, etc. A: While we understand this is a significant cost to retirees, we do not help pay for health insurances premiums. Our goal is to help relieve the burden when there is a medical need. Q: The application asks for my “Benefits Leader”. Who is that? A: The conference benefits leader, denominational leader, or alumni personnel that The Shepherd’s Fund has an established a partnership for verification. Q: On the application - What do you mean by “Total Expected Medical Expense” and “Expenses Requested for the next 12 months”? A: Considering all your medical expenses; how much do you “expect” they may total over the next 12 months. Of your “expected” medical expenses, how much are you requesting from The Shepherd’s Fund. You may request any amount up to $10,000. Q: Can my spouse and I apply together? A: You can apply at the same time but you’ll each have a separate application and a separate effective “calendar” date for the individual application’s year. ​ Q: I’m a surviving spouse of a retired clergyperson, and I have remarried. Am I still eligible? A: This would be decided on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your Conference benefits office, denominational leader, or alumni director. Q: I am a clergyperson with a disability. Am I eligible? A: Yes, clergypersons on disability and within one year of retirement may apply for a gift. Q: Can my adult disabled child apply? A: No. If you are your child’s guardian, you may apply for help in caring for them, but they are not eligible for a grant in their name. Q: Are there tax implications if I receive a gift? A: No. The Shepherd’s Fund has no employer relationship with the individuals being blessed. Up to $10,000 can be given tax-free. Exceptions Apply. Q: Do I have to be low income to apply? A: No. The Shepherd’s Fund is not based on income level; only on your need for help at a time in your life when medical needs have created a hardship. Q: What documentation should I include with my application? A: Please do not include any sensitive personal information with the application. The organization, Helping Hands, that administers the fund will request appropriate information when they contact you after the application has been submitted. Q: How often can I apply? Once per calendar year? Every 12 months? A: Future priority will be given to first time applicants. We request that applications for recurring healthcare expenses be submitted once every 12 months. If you apply on January 01, 2024, you can reapply on January 01, 2025. Q: This is a wonderful idea! Can I contribute to The Shepherd’s Fund? A: While we appreciate the desire to contribute to the fund and we do want to encourage generosity; we do not currently accept donations. We may make this available in the future. Q: I have a friend who needs this help. How do I get him/her signed up? A: Please refer them to their conference benefits office, denominational leader, or alumni director. The Shepherd’s Fund must have an established a partnership with conference, denomination, or organization of the retiree. Q: Who verifies that the retiree or spouse is in good standing? A: The Shepherd’s Fund office will contact the conference benefits office, denominational leader, or alumni director. Q: Who can I contact if I have a question? Or if a paper application is desired? A: Please contact The Shepherds Fund office (706) 221-7262. ​ ​ ​ ​