Launched in 2025, “This Moment Matters” has awarded hundreds of bridge grants to address critical gaps in need in the areas of food security, education, health, migration, and peace.
The sudden and sweeping U.S. policy changes depleted funding sources for health care organizations, sustainable livelihoods programs, peace efforts, and vital educational institutions around the world. Already vulnerable families and communities were put at further risk.
As of April 2026, This Moment Matters has distributed $24 million across hundreds of grants to partners in mission and ministry. “This is a tiny drop in the enormous $32 billion annual gap resulting from USAID funding reductions,” Fernandes stated in his report to the directors at their recent joint meeting in Kenya. “And yet, we are called to act. We trust in the power of God to turn what we might view as small into something of much greater significance than we can imagine.”
These grants are making an impact across all five areas of need:
- Agriculture and Food Security
Through “Feeding Our Neighbors” grants, 150 United Methodist food pantries across the U.S. each received up to $802,000.
- Education
GBHEM awarded $4 million in support of the 11 United Methodist-related Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States.
Gammon Theological Seminary, a historically Black United Methodist-related institution in Georgia, received a $975,000 grant to pursue independent accreditation and build long term sustainability.
- Global Health
Funding through a new four-year partnership with Global Ministries will allow Africa University’s Zimbabwe Entomological Support Program in Malaria (ZENTO) to resume work on surveillance, insect-resistance tracking, and support for national control efforts.
In partnership with four hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia, Meharry Medical College received a $300,000 grant to continue its work in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and caring for mothers and children who contract the virus.
- Migration
$100,000 grants support the efforts of various U.S. annual conferences to care for immigrant communities and churches.
- Peace
For Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Ukraine still living in the midst of war, a $350,000 grant supports food kits to families as well as solar energy resilience kits to those living without power in frontline regions.
These grants represent just a few of the hundreds of projects that have received supplemental funding support so far from Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry.
In this moment, upholding the gospel message to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry and care for the sick is not just an act of compassion; it is a life-saving act for many around the world.
Your Generosity Supports Fundraising Initiatives
By supporting the World Service Fund apportionment, you provide basic financial support to program-related general agencies, which are especially important to the common vision, mission, and ministry of The United Methodist Church.
excerpt from a story by Sara Logeman, senior manager of content and marketing for Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry.
This story shows the impact of the World Service Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to connect our hearts and resources in mission around the world. Through this fund, the Church supports global ministries, discipleship, evangelism, education, and social justice work that transform lives and communities. Together, we share the love of Christ across boundaries and bring hope where it’s needed most.
When your church contributes faithfully to the World Service Fund, you help the whole Church live out God’s mission in every place.
