Scholarships and Awards
Discover the Scholarships, Grants, and Awards we provide to support ministry to the IDD community and beyond
Scholarship Opportunities
Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries announces the Lutheran Student Scholastic and Service Scholarships for 2026-2027.
Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries is offering up to $3,000 to Lutheran students pursuing undergraduate degrees and seminarian and post-graduate students who will prepare for ministry (such as pastor, pre-seminary and deaconess studies, deaconess, director of Christian education, or special-needs teacher), so they will have an opportunity to share Jesus’ love and the Gospel message with people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients
Lutheran Student Scholastic and Service Scholarship Recipients
– Chris Atlee, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO
– Sydney Eisberg, Concordia University, Irvine, CA
– Sydney Morgan, Concordia University, Mequon, WI
– Angela Post, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, Deaconess Program
Scholarship Recipient Testimonial
I am a first year Deaconess student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. I am grateful to Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries for their financial support. The seminary courses forming us into Christ’s servants to those in need.
This month I began a bible study with a group of guys with intellectual disabilities. It is a joy to share the word with them. I have been asked to lead a weekly devotion for a group of adults with an adult daycare. I’m looking forward to joyfully praising God with them. The website has lots of valuable resources for planning my lessons and devotions for people with special needs.
K-8 School Grants
Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries (BLDM) is pleased to offer a Future Leaders Grant Program for K-12 Christian Schools.
Changing Lives One Heart at a Time is a 12-week Disability Awareness Program. The objective of this program is to encourage staff and students to embrace students of all abilities and create a sense of belonging in their school community, with the understanding that every person is WONDERFULLY MADE by God. We are all gifted and talented according to God’s plan; God does not make mistakes.
Goals for this program:
⦁ Know that every person is wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139)
⦁ Know that every person has God-given abilities and are part of the Body of Christ
(1 Corinthians 12 NIV)
⦁ Know that some people may take longer to accomplish a task or may do it in a different way (Psalm 139)
⦁ Recognize when adaptations need to take place, both physically and socially (Proverbs 31:8-9NIV)
⦁ Learn how to become advocates for people with disabilities, including creating a sense of belonging for those who may feel/be left out (Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV)
Christian schools:
⦁ Apply for the program (applications open March 30th)
⦁ If accepted, work with an assigned BLDM facilitator throughout the 12 weeks
⦁ Complete requirements (chapels and Bible studies-provided) and five additional activities chosen from the required list
⦁ Hold a Learning Fair about disabilities that is open to the school, church and community
⦁ Upon completion of all requirements, the school is granted $1,500 from BLDM
For more information, email contact@bethesdaldm.org
Grant Success Story
I mentored the “Changing Lives ” program successfully at Forest Hills Lutheran Christian School in the Spring Semester of 2024.
Initially I heard feedback from teachers stating that they rapidly “noticed a change in the attitudes of their students towards everyone around them especially those on the Autism spectrum.”
Later, I was told by the teachers and staff :
“They felt much more thoughtful regarding whether they are meeting the needs of their students and others. They are more aware now of how they can relate more effectively to all people. Also how they can better assist others with special needs respectfully.”
The last project the students created was an accessible community with Lego and hand drawn plans utilizing everything learned . It spoke “volumes” to all who had the opportunity to see it.
Cross & Bell Award
More Information Coming Soon!
In the meantime, contact us for information about the Cross & Bell Award.