‘This Moment Matters’ Reaches $38.6 Million in Granting
Students on the campus of Philander Smith University, one of the 11 Historical Black Colleges and Universities supported by the United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund. (Photo courtesy of Philander Smith University)
Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry’s granting and fundraising initiative, “This Moment Matters”, has now awarded close to $40 million dollars across five areas of urgent need
By Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry
ATLANTA — As of late September 2026, This Moment Matters has disbursed $38.6 million across 681 grants in the areas of agriculture and food security, education, health, migration, and peace.
“As we continue to witness the ripple effects of shifting U.S. policies around the world, this is an important response of the church,” said General Secretary Roland Fernandes at Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries’ joint board meeting in early October. “This support demonstrates the United Methodist connection at work and the capacity of our agencies to deploy resources in response to urgent global needs.”
The funds directly support and strengthen the work of partners in mission and ministry across the church and beyond. From local congregations and episcopal areas to higher education institutions and ecumenical organizations, This Moment Matters is equipping a large and varied group of partners to address both urgent and long-term needs in communities.
Sustaining Food Pantries to Agriculture Initiatives
This Moment Matters grant support ranges from local church feeding ministries and campus food and hygiene programs to larger agricultural initiatives designed to build livelihoods and long-term resilience. A $500,000 grant directed at enhancing food production and sustainable agriculture practices at Africa University in Zimbabwe provides food security and economic development, while $190,000 across 10 annual conferences and $143,350 across 19 United Methodist-related small colleges and universities will support immediate food assistance in the U.S.
Investing in Institutions and Future Leaders
In addition to Higher Education and Ministry’s support of the 11 UMC-affiliated HBCU’s in the U.S. and investment in Gammon Theological Seminary, This Moment Matters funding is strengthening United Methodist higher education through facilities improvements, campus development, cultivation of digital learning and technical education opportunities in places like Sierra Leone, Germany, and the Philippines.
Strengthening Health Infrastructure, Preventing Disease
As cuts to USAID funding have severely affected healthcare access in rural communities globally, Global Health grants account for more than 40%, $17.2 million, of This Moment Matters funding. Grants support maternal and child health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infectious disease response, and community health. While nearly $800,000 has been granted for the Ebola outbreak response in DRC, other grants are supporting healthcare in refugee populations, maintaining HIV and malaria prevention efforts, and building up critical WASH services from Africa to Latin America.
Providing Practical and Sustained Support for Migrants
Migration grants support ministries and organizations that accompany migrants at every stage of their journey, helping them find safety and stability as they seek to rebuild their lives. From continued support for Church World Service (CWS), International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), and Immigration Law and Justice Network (ILJN) to local churches engaged in the Mustard Seed Migration program, UMCOR’s support aids partners both big and small. In places like Romania, Kenya, Italy, and the U.S., migrants are receiving support with food and housing, legal assistance, language learning, welcome kits, and more.
Accompanying Locally led Peace and Justice Efforts
Grant support in the area of peace advances job creation, education, human rights engagement, and locally grounded peacebuilding. Refugees in Thailand are benefitting from a community-based peace and justice initiative through a $350,000 CWS grant, and Syrian refugees are gaining livelihood and entrepreneurial skills in host countries through a $20,000 grant to the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).
This Moment Matters will remain a priority granting and fundraising initiative through the coming year for the agencies, and it will be the focus of this year’s Advent season giving campaign.
To learn more and support This Moment Matters, visit ThisMomentMatters.org.
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As of late September 2026, This Moment Matters has disbursed $38.6 million across 681 grants in the areas of agriculture and food security, education, health, migration, and peace.
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