Important Shepherd’s Fund Update
An Important Update on The Shepherd’s Fund Grant Guidelines
For many years, The Shepherd’s Fund has been a profound blessing to our retired alumni and their spouses, offering compassionate financial support during seasons of medical need and significant life transitions. Through their extraordinary generosity, hundreds of families have received tangible care, dignity, and hope.
We are deeply grateful to the Foundation, the generous anonymous donor and his team for their faithful stewardship, prayerful discernment, and unwavering commitment to serving those who have spent their lives serving the Church.
As the number of grant applications has grown, the Foundation has carefully and prayerfully reviewed how to steward these resources so that they remain sustainable, equitable, and available to as many eligible families as possible, both now and in the years to come. As a result, updated grant guidelines are now in effect.
Updated Shepherd’s Fund Grant Guidelines
Effective immediately:
- Retired clergy and/or surviving spouses may apply for one fully vetted and receipted grant per year.
- Individuals may apply for grants for a maximum of three years, with a maximum grant of $10,000 per year.
- The total lifetime maximum grant amount is $25,000 per individual.
- Those who have already received a total of $25,000 in Shepherd’s Fund grants are no longer eligible to reapply.
These updated guidelines are intended to provide clarity, ensure fairness, and preserve the original mission of The Shepherd’s Fund, to be a blessing to retired Christian clergy and their surviving spouses facing legitimate medical and major life-stage expenses.
Our Deep Gratitude
We want our alumni to know how grateful we are for the Foundation’s ongoing generosity and partnership. Their faithful giving has changed lives, lifted burdens, and brought hope to many within the Asbury family. These updated guidelines are not a reduction in compassion, but rather a careful commitment to stewardship—ensuring that help remains available for those who will need it in the future.
We remain deeply thankful for this partnership and for the countless ways The Shepherd’s Fund continues to embody Christ’s care for those who have given their lives in faithful service.
My wife and I have indeed been truly blessed to have received Shepherd’s Fund support the last few years: frankly, without it, we had no means to cover the out-of-pocket medical costs for the several necessary treatments (insurance would not cover) that helped her minimize the pain and effects of disabling autonomic and small fiber neuropathy. Though her medical condition continues, we are so thankful we had this wonderful, caring provision for the last few years. Thank you, Asbury, for such generosity and care for retired Alumni in need.
Who is the “Foundation” you mention? It’s a wonderful ministry they have provided.
I have been blessed to receive from Shepherd’s Care. Now that I am no longer pastoring. It has been a blessing to both Valorie and me.
I appreciate this Grant greatly as does my wife also! Since retiring 3 years ago, 5 chronic health challenges were added to my already diagnosed 8. The worst is the Vascular Parkinsonism. The most important to helping my health is seeking to keep my Narcolepsy under control. The medical and non-medical means of controlling Narcolepsy are expensive!
As one of the beneficiaries, I deeply convey my heartfelt thanks to God and pray for those whose hands He’s using in the SF minnistry.
I have been granted the SF but I am not sure how much it is. Kindly may I know whether I am still valid to apply according to this update?