# Lazarus Fund > lazarus fund ministry Providing financial assistance for housing and utilities in Allegheny County.Providing financial assistance for housing and utilities in Allegheny County.By the grace and love of Jesus Christ through --- ## Pages - [Our Vision](https://lazarusfund.org/our-vision/) - [How to Apply](https://lazarusfund.org/how-to-apply/) - [Contact](https://lazarusfund.org/contact/) - [Other Resources](https://lazarusfund.org/other-resources/) - [Participating Churches](https://lazarusfund.org/participating-churches/) - [About](https://lazarusfund.org/about/) - [Home](https://lazarusfund.org/) --- ## Posts --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages - Published: 2025-11-15 - Modified: 2026-01-31 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/our-vision/ Vision For The Future - Looking Back At Our StartA saying from Bengal that “service is the best religion” sums up a main tenant of the Lazarus ministry. Another way of saying the same, is that we strive to be “religion” in action. In the mid 1980’s, as Pittsburgh was entering an economic decline due the closing of major steel mills, a group from the Pittsburgh Presbytery saw a need and had an idea. They wanted to create a volunteer run fund that could help keep people in their homes, keep their lights on, keep their heat on, and keep their water running. This was no easy task. It is a testament to this early group of ministers that the fund is still active today. Without their dedication, forethought, and hard work, this fund would not exist. As ministers, the founding group members also saw a need for issues beyond just the monetary. The application system setup in the 1980s is very similar to the one we use today. Each application question is used by the volunteer interviewer to start to understand and empathize with the human needs of each applicant. Sometimes just listening is the best and most helpful action. The maximum grant amount has been raised from $200 to $400. We have also moved to block-grants for participating churches. These allow participating churches the ability to respond faster to the changing situation of applicants and to allow the intake volunteer/church more control over the application’s approval and timing.... --- - Published: 2020-10-21 - Modified: 2026-02-02 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/how-to-apply/ The ProcessFirst and foremost, the Lazarus Fund Ministry provides micro-grants to those in need of monetary help with utilities and/or housing. Currently, up to $400 can be given to any individual showing need that lives within or is moving to Allegheny county. The main touchpoint of the ministry is completed through an intake interview. Each applicant to the fund goes through a phone interview with a participating intake volunteer. During the interview, an application form will be filled out in partnership between the applicant and interviewer. Basic information such as proof of identity, financial income, and financial need will be collected. Each application interview takes from 30-45 minutes. The application is then submitted for approval. Example reasons for a denied application include: the applicant has received a grant within the last three years, the applicant owes significantly more than the $400 grant can alleviate, or the applicant is not an Allegheny county resident. If the application is approved, the micro-grant will be sent directly to the applicant’s utility or property management company. Funds are never distributed directly to applicants. This is done to protect the fund, applicant, and the utility or management company. It ensures a record of funding, and provides the ability of the fund to prove payment so that there is no question of the grant’s payment status. To apply for funds, please contact a participating church. Participating ChurchesFor ChurchesParticipating churches can apply for up to $2,400 to be paid directly to and administered by the congregation. We... --- - Published: 2020-10-21 - Modified: 2026-01-31 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/contact/ First name *Last nameEmail address *Message *Thank you for your message. It has been sent. ×There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later. ×Submit --- - Published: 2020-10-15 - Modified: 2026-02-02 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/other-resources/ Other ResourcesBelow are other agencies who provide assistance in Allegheny County. United Way HelplineDial 211 to be connected with additional resources in your area. United Way WebsiteAllegheny LinkAllegheny Link provides additional access to housing services. You can reach them at: 1-866-730-2368 Allegheny Link WebsiteHoly Family InstituteHoly Family Institute can provide assistance with utility bills by calling: 412-331-8665 or a local office: McKeesport (412-896-4314) Aliquippa (724-788-1564) Swissvale (412-244-8001) McKees Rocks (412-331-8665) Holy Family WebsiteCenter for VictimsCenter for Victims is a community based nonprofit organization and the largest, most comprehensive and inclusive provider of services, advocacy, and education for victims of all crime in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They can be reached at 1-866-644-2882 Center for Victims WebsiteFurniture & Household ItemsAre you in need of furniture, kitchen items, household items, or baby items? Shared Blessings Mission Store 412-469-0750 The Blessing Board 412-828-1055 Light of Life Mission Visit their website at the button below for online services. Light of Life Mission WebsiteFood & ToiletriesThe Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has distribution centers all over Allegheny County. Visit their website below to find the food distribution center that services your area. Food Bank WebsiteSt. Vincent de PaulNeighbors helping neighbors - offering hope, dignity, and assistance to those in need across the Pittsburgh Region. St. Vincent de Paul Website --- - Published: 2020-10-15 - Modified: 2026-02-28 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/participating-churches/ Participating Churches in the Pittsburgh PresbyteryBelow is a list of current participating churches. If you are looking for funds, please contact the church nearest you. If you are a church in the Pittsburgh Presbytery looking to participate, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Bethel United Presbyterian Church412 Beatty Road Monroeville PA 15146 412-372-4716 First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights50 Stratmore Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15205 412-921-6153 First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth411 S. 3rd Avenue Elizabeth, PA 15037 412-384-4360 Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community134 East Elizabeth Street Pittsburgh PA 15207 412-481-4010 John McMillan Presbyterian Church875 Clifton Drive Bethel Park PA 15102 412-833-4704 Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church1760 Pine Hollow Road McKees Rocks, PA 15136 412-331-2863 Sampson's Mills Presbyterian Church1665 Lincoln Way White Oak PA 15131 412-678-5355 Sixth Presbyterian Church1688 Murray Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15217 412-421-2752 Unity Community Church215 Unity Center Road Pittsburgh PA 15239 412-793-6266 Bethesda United Presbyterian Church314 S. 3rd Avenue Elizabeth PA 15037 412-384-7360 McKeesport Presbyterian Church1510 Versailles Avenue McKeesport PA 15132 412-678-2000 Jefferson United Presbyterian Church716 Gill Hall RoadJefferson Hills, PA 15025412-653-4797 Become a Participating Church! If you are a church in the Pittsburgh Presbytery who would like to participate in the Lazarus Fund Ministry, please fill out this form and someone will be in touch with you. Church Name *Your NameEmail address *Phone NumberThank you for your message. It has been sent. ×There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later. ×Submit --- - Published: 2020-10-03 - Modified: 2026-02-02 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/about/ Our MissionThe mission of the Lazarus Fund Ministry Team is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by providing financial assistance to families and individuals of Allegheny County for rent, mortgage payments, security deposits and utilities, enabling them to overcome their economic difficulties through the grace and love of Jesus Christ as demonstrated through the giving of individuals and congregations of the Pittsburgh Presbytery. How it works We're Here to HelpHelping Those in NeedProviding micro-grants, up to $400, remains the main purpose of this ministry. Applicants can apply these grants to help alleviate housing or utility debt. Potential utility termination, outstanding utility bills, and/or back mortgage or rent are all potential application reasons. A volunteer intake interviewer completes an application in partnership with the applicant through a participating church. The fund is completely administered by volunteers enabling almost all donations to be used in direct support of individual grants. How to ApplyPast, Present, and FutureLearn about how we started, where we are now, and where we are heading. Our VisionA Network of LoveServe God by loving others. Participating ChurchesQuestions? Contact UsDo you have a question about the Lazarus Fund? Contact us below and we will respond as soon as possible. First name *Last nameEmail address *Message *Thank you for your message. It has been sent. ×There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later. ×Submit --- - Published: 2020-09-18 - Modified: 2026-02-02 - URL: https://lazarusfund.org/ lazarus fund ministry Providing financial assistance for housing and utilities in Allegheny County. Providing financial assistance for housing and utilities in Allegheny County. By the grace and love of Jesus Christ through the generosity of individuals and congregations in the Pittsburgh Presbytery. By the grace and love of Jesus Christ through the generosity of individuals and congregations in the Pittsburgh Presbytery. Schedule a consultationApply for AssistanceUtility AssistanceElectric, Water, Gas Learn about our servicesHousing AssistanceRent, Mortgage Learn about our servicesOther ResourcesOther Local Supports Available Connect with Local Support“Keeping the lights on shouldn’t be a luxury. When times get tough, support becomes a lifeline. ”“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us. ”This support is possible only through the generosity of donors. Consider donating to the Lazarus Fund. Donate to the Lazarus FundHappiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. “Behind every utility bill is a family doing their best. Assistance brings dignity back to daily life. ”Funds get distributed through participating churches in the Pittsburgh Presbytery. Learn how your church can start participating and be part of the solution! Become a Participating ChurchQuestions? Contact Us. Do you have a question about the Lazarus Fund? Contact us below and we will respond as soon as possible. This form no longer exists. It has been deleted or moved. Please create a new form to assign here. --- --- ## Posts ---