Racial Justice and Covid Support Update
The Madison Christian Giving Fund (the “MGCF”), is a group of Christian volunteers who desire to make the Gospel of Christ known in the Madison Area. The MGCF would like to take a moment in the midst of the uncertainty and unrest to speak about the current situation as it relates to racial injustice.
First and foremost, we believe each and every one of us are precious in God’s eyes. As Christians, we want to ensure everyone is treated in a just and equitable way. As we have all been made aware, this has not been the experience of those in our Black community.
We are grateful to have had the opportunity to support many organizations in Dane County that are led by minority leaders and serve the minority community throughout our 7-year history. Approximately 25% of the funds granted by the MCGF has been to these organizations.
We acknowledge the deep impact COVID-19, along with the ongoing racial injustices, have had particularly upon the minority population. The organizations who are serving minority communities rely on the MCGF more than ever as we have learned by staying in active communication with them.
The feedback we have received from recipients of our grants is both challenging and hopeful:
One such story comes from Shelter from the Storm, a local Sun Prairie organization that serves the needs of single, homeless families through shelter, support and hope. They have shared that the funds we provided were used for Christian trauma therapy, a much-needed service, especially now during COVID-19. While we are grateful that the funds were used in such an important way, they also report that the shelter is at capacity. Currently they are serving 10 families with 29 children and they have a waiting list.
Another story that we would like to share is about the responsive actions during COVID-19 taken by another recipient of our grants, The Collaboration Project. The Collaboration Project exists to foster collaboration between churches for the good of the city and the flourishing of every person. See #soallmayflourish to read more.
In recent months, The Collaboration Project worked with the African American Council of Churches (“AACC” ) as it partnered with Lighthouse Church to establish the Psalm 46 Relief Fund to assist families in our community that are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Thanks to the generosity of many, the fund has raised over $433,000 to help thousands of people with food, rent, bill assistance, masks, and other care products.
Throughout Scripture we see the Lord’s call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8). Would you join us in praying for two requests – first that the Lord would bring about His justice, mercy and love into our broken world? Second, please join us in praying for ministries in Dane County and that the body of Christ would generously continue to release financial resources via the MCGF. To learn more about the 55 organizations the MCGF has supported over the past seven years as the result of our community’s generous donations, please visit https://www.madisongiving.org/.
Author: Fred Grossenbach
