• An organization must be located in our 10-county service area in northeast Indiana (Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties).
• Fiscal agent requests are not eligible for funding.
• An application cannot include funding at 100% of the total cost.
• An application cannot include funding for more than one project.
• Grant funding cannot be used for the following:
  • To fund any medical procedures which are destructive of life or programs which encourage them.
  • To fund projects that have been completed.
  • To fund or cover debt.
  • To fund any expenses related to fundraising events.
  • To fund any promotional items.
  • To fund any pass-through items.
  • To fund a fund.
  • To fund an individual.

Application Submission Requirement

• A grant application must be a minimum of $1,500.

Capital

The Lutheran Foundation (TLF) may award grants in support of capital projects. There must be a direct, clear, and substantial relationship between the capital project and TLF’s mission and Lutheran Grant funding priorities. The Foundation has narrowed its focus to our Member Lutheran Congregations and Schools.

• Must comply with TLF’s Grant Guidelines.
• The maximum amount of support will be $300,000, not to exceed 50% of the total project cost.
• The project must be initiated within one year of the Board approval date.
• A match is required (normally dollar for dollar).
• Must address one or more of the following:
  • Provide access to the Word and Sacrament ministry.
  • Gives proclamation to the Gospel, discipleship, and/or outreach purposes.
  • Assist congregation’s expression of worship and/or extend opportunities for Christian education.
  • Is an essential component of the congregation’s vision strategy.
• An application will not be considered to fund vehicles.
• An application will not be considered to fund the acquisition of land or buildings.

Community Meals

• TLF will consider funding at 50% of the total cost not to exceed $5,000.

Conference Attendance

• The conference should be designed to continue education or for leadership development.
• TLF will fund $500 per person not the exceed 10 people per year and is not subject to the $1,500 minimum outlined in the Grant Guidelines.

Mission Trips (only available to Lutheran Congregations)

• TLF will fund $300 per person and is not subject to the $1,500 minimum outlined in the Grant Guidelines.
• Financial support will be restricted to actual expenses related to the mission trip and recreational excursions will not be covered.

National Youth Gathering Events (only available to Lutheran Congregations)

• TLF will fund $300 per person and is not subject to the $1,500 minimum outlined in the Grant Guidelines.
• Financial support will be restricted to actual expenses related to the mission trip and recreational excursions will not be covered.

Staff Positions

The Lutheran Foundation will consider an application to support a new staff position from the Lutheran Grant category using the following criteria:

• The intent is for the position to help grow and/or expand the ministry.
• Only one staff position application can be submitted per year (July 1 to June 30).
• Funding is for salary only.

     Year 1 Funding

• The amounts below are the maximum award for a full-time position and cannot exceed 95% of the total.
  • Ordained (additional pastor) – $65,000
  • Non-Ordained (educator) – $55,000
  • Parish Professional (professional church worker) – $55,000
  • Administrative (support staff) – $40,000
  • Funding for a part-time position will be considered at half the amount.
• The staff position must be hired within 12 months of the grant award date. If the individual is not hired within this time period, the grant award will be revoked.

     Year 2 Funding 

• A new application must be submitted.
• The application will be evaluated based on the impact the position has had on the ministry.
• The amount will be based on 50% of Year 1.

Technology

• TLF will fund up to 50% of the total cost not to exceed $50,000. Technology is typically defined as items that have a shorter life span (i.e., computers, iPads, etc.).  Items that have a longer life span (i.e., file server, copier, etc.) are considered capital. Please contact the grant team to discuss if you are unsure.

Vacation Bible School

• TLF will consider funding at 50% of the total cost not to exceed $2,000.
• Application must be submitted in the September grant cycle (September 1 noon deadline).

Contact

• We encourage you to contact Sue Faust at (260) 458-2105 or by email to schedule an in-person or virtual meeting to discuss your application.
• Our grant team is always happy to assist or answer any questions regarding the Lutheran grant application process.