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Lutheran Grants

Lutheran Member Congregations and Lutheran Schools in northeast Indiana may apply for a Lutheran Grant. The request amount from TLF on the application must be a minimum of $1,500.

The Lutheran Foundation will continue to consider applications for a variety of ministry needs. To assist in addressing the challenges in a post-Christian culture, research has identified the following focus areas which will be given priority:

  • Leadership Development - Applications to support pastors, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers in enhancing their ministry skills.
  • Vision and Strategy - Applications to help congregations and schools identify, clarify, and implement their mission and strategic direction to support visioning processes and multi-year ministry planning.
  • Caring for the Church and Community - Applications to support Word and sacrament ministry and/or acts of mercy for the benefit of people within congregations, schools, and the broader community. 

Collaboration with other congregations and schools is welcomed and encouraged although not required.

Grant Guidelines

  • 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.
  • The Lutheran Foundation Board of Directors may from time to time expand upon their understanding and interpretation of these guidelines.

Funding Policies

Application Submission Requirements
  • TLF will not fund an application at 100% of the total cost.
  • TLF will only fund one project per application.
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 to 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.
    Pass-Through Funding
    • TLF will not fund an application for pass-through funding. Pass-through funding is defined as when the grantee distributes the funds to another individual or organization, such as purchasing and handing out gift cards.
    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).
        Vehicle
        • TLF will not fund an application for a vehicle.

        The Grant Team is always happy to help with any questions regarding the application process. 

        • To discuss your grant ideas, we encourage you to contact Terri Kortokrax at (260) 458-2110.
        • For assistance with any other items, please contact Sue Faust at (260) 458-2105.

        Grant Deadlines and Timeline

        • If the grant deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it is extended to the next business day at noon.
        *Lutheran Schools (K-8) are eligible for a Lutheran School Support grant and is available one-time each year. This grant encourages each school to grow their endowment for long-term sustainability. This grant is connected to TLF’s Lutheran School Matching Endowment Program.

        Application

        • Applications received after the grant deadline will not be considered.
        • An application will not be considered if: 
          • any information is incomplete.
          • the application does not include the required templates and attachments. 
          • the organization has any overdue grant reports/follow ups.
        • Click here to access the Grant Portal to begin an application.