Frequently Asked Questions
What are the priorities for The Lutheran Foundation?
The Lutheran Foundation is a public charity foundation that provides grants to Lutheran congregations and ministries and nonprofit organizations in ten counties in northern Indiana.
In response to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ and in keeping with our Lutheran heritage, The Lutheran Foundation is committed to the development of a healthy community and to improving the physical, mental, and spiritual health of its residents.
The Lutheran Foundation gives priority to social service organizations that are expressly Christian as stated in their mission statement and/or articles of incorporation, as well in their practice.
What are the focus areas and their deadlines ?
| Focus Area/Regular Grant Cycles | Application Deadline | Decision Date |
|---|---|---|
| Building a Healthier Community | March 1st | End of June |
| Community Outreach | August 1st | Early December |
| Lutheran Congregations | December 1st | End of March |
| Lutheran Education | December 1st | End of March |
In fairness to all, the Foundation does not extend deadlines for any reason.
Lutheran Congregations
Congregations are a vital component of a healthy community. The Lutheran Foundation encourages Lutheran congregations to be ambassadors of Christ’s love and compassion as they reach out to meet the needs in their church and community.
The Lutheran Foundation seeks to equip and strengthen Lutheran congregations and their members to be Christ’s missionaries in the world.
Lutheran Education
The Foundation acknowledges the importance of Lutheran education and the role it plays in developing the Christian faith of individuals and families. It expresses its willingness to encourage, promote, and support a variety of Lutheran educational opportunities.
Building a Healthier Community
Recognizing our tradition as a Lutheran health care organization, the Foundation is committed to supporting organizations whose purpose is to reflect Christ’s compassion by meeting the physical and mental health needs of our community
Community Outreach
The Lutheran Foundation recognizes that a broad range of programs and projects may benefit the people of northeast Indiana and therefore awards grants to organizations which address community needs and concerns. Priority is given to organizations whose approach is unique or who collaborate with others.
Why grant deadlines dedicated to focus areas?
Considering similar requests at one time offers the opportunity for the Foundation Board of Directors to be more intentional and effective in its grantmaking. For example, this will allow all Lutheran Congregation and Lutheran Education requests to be considered at one time. And the same for Building a Healthier Community and Community Outreach.
What might be included under each of the focus areas?
Lutheran Congregations: Member Lutheran Congregation Support
Lutheran Congregation grant recipients must be a Member Congregation of The Lutheran Foundation.
Lutheran Education: Lutheran Educational Opportunities
Lutheran Education grant recipients provide a direct educational opportunity to the Foundation’s constituents. Examples include The Lutheran Schools Partnership, Lutheran day schools, Concorida Lutheran High School, Concordia Theological Seminary, Lutheran camps, the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and the Indiana District.
Building a Healthier Community: Physical and Mental Health Needs
Building a Healthier Community grant recipients provide a direct service to meeting the physical or mental health needs of the community. Physical health needs includes services that support a healthy body. Examples include food, shelter, medical care, and ancillary health services. Mental health needs include services that promote a healthy mind. Examples include counseling and mental health services.
Community Outreach: Social Wellbeing and Spiritual Needs
Community Outreach grant recipients provide funding or a direct service to address the social well-being or spiritual needs of the community. Social wellbeing includes programs that support community needs. Examples include social services for the underprivileged or disadvantaged. Spiritual needs include services that promote spiritual wellbeing. Examples include outreach ministries and clergy enrichment.
Can a congregation, school or nonprofit organization apply for grants outside their focus area?
No, each congregation, school and nonprofit organization must apply in the appropriate focus area. Please contact the Foundation with any specific questions.
What happens when the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?
Grant applications must be postmarked by the deadline date or delivered to the Foundation no later than 3:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the deadline.
When is an application considered complete?
A grant application is considered complete when the application and exhibits are received and postmarked by the deadline date or delivered to the Foundation no later than 3:00 p.m.
Is the Foundation willing to consider funding of capital projects?
Although it is not a priority, the Foundation is willing to consider funding of capital projects undertaken by Lutheran congregations and nonprofit organizations. Capital is defined as buildings and any change to structures, including affixed items.
Who can apply for Fostering Healthier Congregations (FHC) grant?
FHC grants are limited to Member Congregations.
What are FHC grants designed to do?
Fostering Healthier Congregations grants are designed to encourage congregations in their efforts to proclaim the Gospel and give glory to God by: Funding initiatives at Member Congregations which foster healthier congregations through intentional outreach and evangelism; and Enabling Member Congregations to meet those most in need. These grants are intended to promote programs and ministry that strengthen the church, reach out to the world, and glorify God.
What cannot be funded with FHC grants?
FHC grants will not be awarded for equipment, furnishings, building repairs, property improvements, or for items that would be considered ordinary operating expenses.
Are there any exceptions to these rules?
An FHC grant may include equipment if the equipment is needed specifically for a new or expanded initiative, and if the equipment is not considered an ordinary operating expense.
What are the FHC application deadlines?
| 2011 FHC Application Deadline | FHC Decision Date |
| February 1, 2011 | March 22, 2011 (may reapply if declined) |
| June 1, 2011 | June 28, 2011 |
| October 15, 2011 | December 6, 2011 |
In fairness to all, the Foundation does not extend deadlines for any reason.
Where can I find an FHC application form?
The FHC application form, as well as Regular and Emergency Grant applications can be found on the Fostering Healthy Congregations and Lutheran Congregations pages.
Is each Member Congregation “guaranteed” a Fostering Healthy Congregations grant?
Each congregation may apply for up to $10,000 through a Fostering Healthier Congregations grant. However, there is no guarantee the grant will be approved. All or part of the request may be declined if it does not meet the goals and intent of the FHC initiative.
If a part of our FHC grant request is declined, can we reapply?
Congregations are strongly encouraged to apply at the first application deadline. If a congregation applies by February 1, there is an opportunity to reapply by June 1 should any or all of the application be declined.
Can a Member Congregation apply for both a Fostering Healthier Congregations (FHC) grant and a Regular Grant?
Yes, the Fostering Healthier Congregations initiative is separate from the Regular Grant program, and, as such, congregations may apply for both.
If several congregations are working together on an exciting outreach ministry project, can they apply for more than $10,000?
Yes, the Foundation is always excited to hear when congregations work together in ministry. Congregations working together on a ministry project are encouraged to apply for a Regular Grant.
Will the Foundation consider exceptions to the grant guidelines?
The Lutheran Foundation Board of Directors may from time to time expand upon their understanding and interpretation of these guidelines and may also make exceptions at their discretion.
