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Why We Must Meet the Moment: LFCS’ Call to Action Amid Crisis

david — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 14:00:20 +0000

Across Missouri—and the country—nonprofits are facing an urgent and unprecedented reality. Operational costs are rising due to inflation, while government contracts and fixed grants have lost their purchasing power. Organizations like Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri are being asked to do more with less, at the exact moment when more people than ever are turning to us for help.

We launched the Meet The Moment campaign to rally support around this growing crisis, because the truth is: when nonprofits can’t meet the needs of their communities, real lives are impacted.

A Sector Under Pressure

We are not alone in this struggle. According to the 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Report:

65% of nonprofits report that staffing shortages are impeding their ability to deliver services.
77% have seen an increase in demand for their programs.
Three out of four have been forced to reduce staff or cut programs.
87% report increased demand for mental health services, even while struggling to find the staff to provide them.
Nearly half lack the funds needed to meet client demand.

Additionally, the number of new donors is dropping, and donor retention is declining across the board. A recent report described the current landscape as a “quiet crisis”—where dollars may be up, but the number of people giving is going down. This trend is not sustainable, and it threatens the long-term health of social service organizations.

Meanwhile, the communities we serve are experiencing the same economic stressors. Families are struggling to pay rent, put

food on the table, and access mental health care. Without adequate support, these challenges ripple into our broader society—increasing emergency room visits, straining school systems, and deepening systemic inequality.

How LFCS Has Responded

Despite these challenges, LFCS has not stood still. Over the past several years, we have made bold, intentional decisions to grow in response to community need:

Expanded in-person capacity through office renovations, allowing us to see more clients face-to-face.
Opened new offices in Kansas City, extending our reach to children and families in Northwest Missouri.
Prioritized the hiring of counselors, case managers, and social workers to make sure clients are not left waiting for the help they desperately need.
Expanded our parenting program to strengthen the family unit and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect.

These changes weren’t optional. They were necessary to meet the real needs of Missouri families. But they come at a cost—and that’s where we need your help.

Help Us Meet the Moment

The Meet The Moment campaign is a call to action. It’s a call to everyone who believes in the importance of mental health care, strong families, and children growing up in safe, loving homes.

At LFCS, we are committed to:

Addressing Missouri’s mental health crisis
Reducing child abuse and neglect
Empowering clients to overcome heartbreak and trauma
Supporting families navigating infertility
Making an impact (view our 2024 annual report here to see how)

Guided by Jesus’ call to love one another, serve those in need, and be a light in the world, we are asking you to partner with us in this mission.

Our goal is to raise $150,000 by June 30. These funds will go directly to programs that are making a difference every single day.

When we fail to meet the moment, our communities suffer. But when we rise together—when we choose to act—real healing happens.

Join us. Give today. Help us Meet the Moment. Donate Today

The post Why We Must Meet the Moment: LFCS’ Call to Action Amid Crisis first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Resolutions for 2016

beanstalk — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 19:00:04 +0000

We all make New Year’s resolutions with good intentions – lose 20 pounds, or quit smoking, or get organized. But let’s face it, the majority of us end the year in the same place we began it (or possibly with another 5 pounds of holiday weight.) In 2016, why not set a reasonable goal that is actually attainable? Here are a few ideas that everyone can achieve.

Give Time – We are all busy, but chances are you have at least one hour this year (hopefully a few more) to give to a charity that matters to you. Whether you are building houses in the community, answering the phone in an office, or serving dinner at a local shelter, the time you give allows programs and services to continue. Sign up to volunteer at LFCS today!
Give Talent – Pro-bono services make it possible for non-profits to direct their budgeted dollars to those in need. From attorneys and accountants to cooks and custodians –nearly all talents can benefit the day to day operations of a non-profit. Learn more about lending your talents to LFCS now!
Give Treasure – Jobs, families and other commitments may make giving time and talent difficult. If you have the means, make a financial contribution to your favorite organization. From $1 that feeds a child for a day to $100,000 that underwrites a year of programming, every amount makes a difference. Consider making a donation to LFCS today!

No matter which resolution you chose, you will make an impact within your community and feel great too! Here’s to making the best of 2016!

The post Resolutions for 2016 first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.

Give STL Day May 5!

beanstalk — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:16:22 +0000

Mark your calendars for MAY 5! LFCS is once again participating in Give STL Day ~ a 24-hour online giving event with local impact!

Give STL Day is a big, bold opportunity for us and for our community. A partnership between the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation and local nonprofits from across the area, Give STL Day is an online day of giving where nonprofits like ours will be reaching out to our donors ~ and looking for new ones ~ as we educate about our mission and raise operating funds. We raised nearly $8,000 last year, and Give STL Day overall generated a total of $1.1 million for the 528 participating nonprofits.

Local impact with a national twist. Like last year, we will be joining more than 100 communities across the country to raise millions of dollars for the greater good ~ all on a single day.

Everyone can be a philanthropist. On May 5, we’re asking every person in the St. Louis area to get behind this effort and give. Large and small gifts will combine for big impact ~ It’s time to think big.

Single day, lasting impact. All the funds raised will benefit participating nonprofits. It’s time to be bold. We want YOUR support for LFCS!

A virtual event with a personal touch. The Give STL Day website will make giving easy, safe and fun. By visiting givestlday.org on May 5, you can designate your gift to LFCS!

Visit www.givestlday.org for additional details, and don’t forget to give May 5!

The post Give STL Day May 5! first appeared on Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.