Focus on the Future
A Renewed Commitment to Our Mission
Last year’s milestone provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on all that we have accomplished. It was also an excellent opportunity to gather prayerfully to discover God’s will for our future. Throughout the process, we asked a simple question: how can we best fulfill God’s wishes for our next $100 million?
New Focus Areas
With the goal of being more intentional with our grantmaking, we came to the decision to divide grant requests into distinct focus areas, so that similar grants can be considered together. In doing so, we reduced the number of grant cycles from four to three. The new Lutheran Foundation focus areas are:
- Building a Healthier Community
- Community Outreach
- Lutheran Congregations
- Lutheran Education
Congregation Support
In addition, we addressed the ways in which we support our congregations. In the past, approximately 28% of our grant pool each year has gone to congregations through Partnership and Regular Grants. As we move forward, we will be looking for opportunities to partner with our churches on a specific initiative, Fostering Healthy Congregations. This initiative will replace the Partnership Grant program. In the months ahead, we will be holding informational meetings to ensure that those with leadership roles in our congregations have the opportunity to learn more about the new guidelines.
A Time of Transition
We recognize that implementing these changes will require a period of adjustment for everyone involved. It is a time of transition. A time to come together to renew our commitments. And most importantly, a time to ensure that we live up to these three words: Soli Deo Gloria. To God alone be the glory.
