Resources for Clergy and Houses of Worship
Gift of Life welcomes the opportunity to educate, inform and encourage the religious community about organ, tissue, and eye donation. Gift of Life partners with houses of worship and faith-based organizations throughout our tri-state service area to bring this issue to their members and the community. Gift of Life will provide the necessary tools and resources to assist clergy with sharing this life-saving message.
It's About Life Grants
Donors Are Heroes and Gift of Life Donor Program offer funding for "It's About Life" Grants, awarded in amounts of up to $2,000 each to houses of worship and faith-based organizations willing to participate in creating an organ and tissue awareness program for their congregations and community.
It is the intention of the grants to encourage donation education in the faith communities. At times, religious beliefs have been the reason families objected to organ and tissue donation. Many families are not aware of what their denominational position is on donation. Organizations can used the funding to carry out activities that would educate communities about organ and tissue donation in Delaware, southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
Zoom+ Living kidney donor Rev. Karen Onesti speaking during the 2008 Living Donor Ceremony, with her recipient, Rabbi Andrew Bossov standing aside her.
There are many types of activities or programs that can be accomplished, within the allotted budget. Each organization is encouraged to work within a framework that is suitable for its unique community. The following are few suggested activities (not to limit creativity):
- Gospel Concert
- Community Health Fair
- Luncheon and Presentation following service
- Prayer Breakfast
- Permanent displays and signs to encourage donation.
Use the document below to apply for a grant today!
 | It's About Life Grant guidelines and application - 514.5KB |
For further information please contact Vanessa Duvert, 1-800-DONORS-1, ext. 1172 or vduvert@donors1.org.
National Donor Sabbath
National Donor Sabbath brings together religious and donation and transplant communities to discuss the urgent need for organ and tissue donors and to dispel myths about the incompatibility of religion and donation each year two weeks prior to Thanksgiving. Every major religion in the United States supports organ and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity. It is unlikely, however, that most people have heard their religious leaders speak about this critical issue.
Here's how to Get involved...
- Include donor information in your newsletter, bulletin, website or e-mail.
- Hold a donor registry drive to encourage individuals to register online and discuss their decision with their families.
- Host a donor education workshop, prayer breakfast, or health fair with an information display on donation and presentations by living donors, donor families, transplant recipients, patients awaiting transplants or transplant professionals.
- Request a speaker to come to your congregation to speak about organ and tissue donation.
- Advertise organ and tissue donation through your house of worship
For further information please contact Vanessa Duvert, 1-800-DONORS-1, ext. 1172 or vduvert@donors1.org.
Events & Meetings 
