Good Samaritan Endowment Fund

The Giving Spirit
Good Samaritan Endowment Fund -Your Donation can Change Lives

The Good Samaritan Endowment Fund (GSEF) is one of the most compelling and historic cornerstones of Concordia Lutheran Ministries' mission. The GSEF underwrites confidential charitable care for residents and patients in all of Concordia's facilities who have limited financial means. This is an essential part of Concordia's heritage of Christian service toward others and your donation to the GSEF changes lives.

Keith Frndak. President & CEO of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, shared, "This is Concordia's long-term focus for our organization to support those in our care who run out of money. It is the right thing to do."

At Concordia, we are committed to ensuring that no resident is forced to leave our community due to financial hardship. Our GSEF is a lifeline to those in our care at all of our locations who have outlived their savings.

History
Part of Concordia's mission statement is, "To serve those with limited funds to the best of our ability." In the late 1980s, Mr. Frndak and the Concordia Board of Directors had discussions on how to do just that.

Concordia's Statement of Values includes, "Financial Stewardship: Like the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, Concordia aims to be wise stewards of all of our resources, including financial. We manage money with a 'scarce dollar' mentality and are always looking for financial ways to ensure that our mission continues on for generations." As such, Concordia tries to ensure that all residents and patients have sufficient funds for their care upon admission to uphold this value. Aging, though, comes with unpredictable changes. Increased life expectancies, surprise healthcare costs and unexpected emergencies can deplete even the most carefully planned finances.

In the early 1990s, the GSEF was established to cover shortfalls in our residents' and patients' care costs. Concordia was inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37 for the naming of the fund. In 1993, the GSEF paid its first subsidy.

Today
Over the years, so many generous good Samaritans have donated to the GSEF, which has changed lives. In the last fiscal year, Concordia provided nearly $13 million in benevolent care to nearly 500 Concordia residents. Gifts from loyal donors have helped sustain our organization and enriched the lives of those that God has asked us to serve.

Today, Concordia is called to do more. There is currently a crisis with many senior care facilities having to close their doors, leaving vulnerable residents with no place to go. Recently, we witnessed this firsthand.

After being contacted for help by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Concordia Executive Director of Personal Care Hope Rouda traveled to a local personal care facility that had given a one-day closing notice. Upon arrival, she was shocked to see residents seated in the hallway with their personal belongings in garbage bags lying at their feet. Hope and the team reviewed each resident's file and discussed with Concordia's senior leadership. Concordia accepted five of the displaced residents residents to multiple Concordia locations. It was the right thing to do! Those residents were so thankful to be offered a new home and stability at Concordia. One man even said, "Today, I won the lottery."

No senior should face the fear of losing their home. Every dollar provides care and support to those who need it most. Your investment in the GSEF, no matter the amount, makes a profound difference and changes lives. If you have questions or would like to give toward our GSEF, please call us at the CLM Foundation office at 724-352-8227 or email Giving@ConcordiaLM.org.