Ascension Lutheran Church, a Scottsdale-area Lutheran congregation founded in 1952, is giving $1.25 million to 11 Valley nonprofits, the largest single act of community giving in the congregation’s history. The gift comes as the church completes its merger with North Scottsdale United Methodist Church to form Peace in the Desert Church, a new union congregation that launched Aug. 1.
As part of the merger process, Ascension’s council voted to offer one final round of community grants before joining fully with North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, drawing on proceeds from the 2023 sale of its Paradise Valley property, according to a press release.
The 11 grants, approved earlier this year, reach organizations working on homelessness, human trafficking prevention, foster care, food insecurity and support for immigrant and Native communities across metro Phoenix.
