Tag: financial aid

Fall 2023 Update

Posted on by foundationadmin

Fall 2023 Update

Dear Friends of the MLS Foundation,

I hope this letter finds you with a thankful heart for all of the blessings our God provides from his gracious hand. I’m writing to express my sincere appreciation for your ongoing support as we strive to fulfill our mission of supporting our beloved school, Michigan Lutheran Seminary.

At Michigan Lutheran Seminary, we hold firm to the belief that faith and family serve as the cornerstones of a thriving and vibrant campus. Every aspect of a student’s life on campus is focused on strengthening their faith and nurturing relationships that make them feel part of a larger family. In a world filled with challenges, it is often our faith and the bonds of family that provide us with strength and resilience to persevere. These are wonderful gifts from God! That is why your partnership is so vital in supporting the students who attend MLS. Your gifts play a pivotal role in sustaining the training and operations of MLS, enabling it to continue preparing future pastors and teachers at a time when the world needs more faith and family.

I pray you truly understand what a blessing your support is to the MLS Foundation and how it daily impacts the lives of the MLS students. Here are some areas where your support is needed most at this time:

  • Gifts Given for the Greatest Need — This critical funding gives the Board of Directors flexibility to address the areas where help is needed most. By setting up a monthly donation of $10, $25, $50, or $100, you can support both current and future needs. Monthly support is invaluable for effective budgeting and planning. Our goal is to secure 100 donors to partner with us by establishing a monthly commitment to this fund. Please scan the code on the back of the reply below to schedule your recurring gift today! It will truly make a difference!
  • Student Assistance Fund — Providing financial support to students is a very high priority of the MLS Foundation. We want to continue to provide a $100,000 annual distribution from this fund to MLS for tuition assistance. We have been blessed to provide this consistent support for several years. Funds given here may be used for tuition assistance, an educational program, a mission trip, or any other program that would benefit the students as a whole. Your gift to this fund ensures that students at MLS are receiving the necessary support to nurture their faith and develop as leaders in our synod and its churches.
  • Capital Improvement Fund — The home and visitor bleachers, press box, restrooms, and concession area have been completed and enjoyed since the fall of 2021. It has been a wonderful addition to campus! We are now seeking funding to reduce the remaining loan balance of $372,840 associated with this phase of the Big Backyard Project. While using borrowed funds was part of the plan to complete the project promptly, eliminating this debt has now become a priority. Clearing this debt will free up resources for additional projects and programs. In recent years, the MLS Foundation has also been acquiring real estate around campus, now owning six properties. We intend to secure land on and around the campus for future strategic planning. Your contributions will enable us to maintain these properties and seize opportunities to acquire more if they arise. Please consider making a contribution to our capital improvement fund to support these endeavors.

Over the years I have witnessed the generosity of God’s people, and it continues to amaze me! Thank you for considering our appeal, and for embracing the values of faith and family. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of students who are preparing for work in the public ministry. On behalf of the MLS Foundation and its board, I want to personally thank you for your support and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving!

In Christian Service,

Joshua Wakefield
Donor Relations Director
MLS Class of 1996



November Update

Posted on by foundationadmin

November Update

It’s hard to believe that October is over, and we are setting our clocks back this weekend as we head into the busy holiday season!

There have been many changes on campus these past few months. We installed new, safe bleachers for both the visitor and home sides of the athletic field. We are preparing for the next phase of the Big Backyard project, which will include a permanent press box, concessions stand, and restrooms. These will all be a great improvement to the campus of Michigan Lutheran Seminary. The MLS Foundation is thankful for the many generous donors who are making this project possible!

Big Backyard Information

 

November also marks the kick-off of our annual Student Need Fund campaign called Light Up a Student’s Life. Every year in November and December, gifts to the Light Up a Student’s Life campaign support financial assistance for students attending MLS.

Those who give to the Light Up a Student’s Life program have an opportunity to make a gift in honor of, or in memory of, a special person. These gifts will be recognized by the lighting of a large Christmas tree in the commons. This year we were able to purchase a new 9′ tree, thanks to a Thrivent Action Team grant! For each $10 gift, a white light ornament will be placed on the tree with the name of the individual being honored or remembered. We will also send a Christmas card to the family or honoree recognizing your caring gift to MLS and its students.

Light Up a Student’s Life Information

 

At their October meeting, members of the MLS Foundation board of directors approved grant funding for three projects on campus. Gifts to the greatest need allow the MLS Foundation board flexibility to fund these special items when requests are presented from faculty and staff.

  1. We are pleased to provide shirts for members of the VIP group. These students assist with move-in day and giving visitors a taste of what it’s like on campus. They play an important role in encouraging grade-school students to consider attending MLS for high school.
  2. Grant funding was also approved for a set of portable disc golf goals. These will primarily be used for 9th and 10th grade PE classes, but students will also be able to check them out for use after classes and on weekends.
  3. Recently the student body mourned the loss of the 31-year-old ice cream machine in the cafeteria. It was a sad day on campus when the machine stopped working. Because it was so old, the parts were no longer available. The foundation board approved funding to purchase a new machine – just in time for the open house and Cardinal for a Day events that were held on October 25. The visiting grade-school students were thrilled that they could have ice cream with their lunch!

View More Projects Here

 

Be sure to follow us on social media for more information and updates!

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November News

Posted on by foundationadmin

November News

Light Up a Student’s Life Begins

This November begins our annual “Light Up a Student’s Life” campaign, where donors can make a gift in honor of, or in memory of, a special person. Gifts will be acknowledged by the lighting of a Christmas tree in the MLS commons. We will also send a Christmas card to the person being honored or the family of the person being remembered as a way to acknowledge your caring gift to MLS and its students. 

Gifts received through the Light Up a Student’s Life campaign benefit the Student Need Fund, which provides financial assistance for MLS students.

Click for Information

 

Christmas Gifts that Give Back

For many people, November begins the Christmas shopping season. Please consider using our Scrip program to give gifts that give back to the MLS Foundation. 

Find gifts for everyone on your list while raising funds for our organization. Shop gift cards from over 750 top brands, including Best Buy, Amazon, Nordstrom, The Home Depot and more. Whether you buy the gift cards to give as presents to family and friends, or to use them to buy your gifts—our organization earns with every gift card purchased. It’s simple, it’s thoughtful and it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Shop the gift guide at ShopWithScrip.com/GiftGuide or click the image below.

 

Light Up a Student’s Life Update

Posted on by foundationadmin

The annual Light Up a Student’s Life event is in full swing and runs through the end of December. Contributions support the Student Need Fund, which provides financial assistance to the students attending MLS now and in the future. 

The MLS Foundation has committed to providing MLS with $100,000 annually in student financial aid, and your gifts to Light Up a Student’s Life will help us accomplish this goal. 

As of November 17, 78 lights have been lit in memory of, or in honor of, special people. 

Your generosity is the heart and spirit of the MLS Foundation. Your gifts will allow us to assist another generation of students to follow our Savior’s directive to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Click here for more information on this event.