Apply for a Grant

All grants should have some direct tie to a local LCMS congregation or RSO based in the district or one that directly serves congregations in the district. Strategic partners have access to grants via a request from a congregation in the district.

The below principles embody a healthy missiology and help to ensure faithful stewardship, theological integrity, and strategic impact in sharing the Gospel.

Guidelines

Mission Alignment

Prioritize projects that advance the church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and serve the neighbor in Christ’s name. Support efforts that reach new people, especially the unchurched or underserved communities. While it is hoped that congregational attendance might increase or a new Word and Sacrament ministry might be established, service to the community should be provided without treating those served merely as a means to an end (e.g., increasing church attendance). Serve as Jesus served.

Prayerful Discernment

Encourage prayer and spiritual discernment as integral parts of both the grant application and review process. View the grant process as a spiritual as well as an administrative endeavor.

Faithfulness to Scripture and Confessional Integrity

Ensure that grant-funded projects align with biblical teachings as understood through the Lutheran Confessions. Require a clear theological foundation for the proposed mission work so that the focus always remains on Jesus, and him alone.

Local Contextualization

Encourage contextual outreach—projects that address the specific needs, cultures, and demographics of the congregation’s community. Avoid 'one-size-fits-all' models that ignore local realities. Take an incarnational approach.

Sustainability and Capacity Building

Favor projects that build local leadership and can be sustained beyond the life of the grant. Encourage congregations to develop long-term strategies and community partnerships.

Clear Goals and Measurable Outcomes

Require well-defined goals and objectives with concrete metrics to evaluate impact. Include both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, prioritizing measuring the number of contacts with non-Christians.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Promote collaboration between congregations, districts, or mission organizations to increase impact and reduce duplication. Encourage sharing of resources, best practices, and mutual support.

Accountability and Stewardship

Require regular reporting, both financial and missional. Ensure proper use of funds through audits or oversight structures.

Innovation and Risk-Taking

Be willing to fund creative and bold initiatives that take risks for the sake of the Gospel. Allow room for experimentation with new outreach methods, especially in digital or multicultural contexts.

Capacity for Replication

Support models that, if successful, could be adapted and used by other congregations. Document lessons learned to benefit the broader church.

Pre-Grant Writing Recommendations

1. Attend a Beyond the Breakwater event at Messiah Lutheran Church in Midland, Michigan. For dates and registration, use this link: www.elevatemidland.org/beyondthebreakwater
2. Contact Pete Prochnow, who can get you started on the process.

Grant Categories

Short-term Community Outreach / Partnership

• Examples: low-cost bike shop; driving ministry for elderly; booth at county fair; support for mission conference
• $5,000 max (matching grant possible)
• Single disbursement; Non-renewable
• Grant Review Process Level 1 (see below)

Long-Term Community Outreach / Partnership

• Examples: low-cost grocery store; mobile food pantry serving poverty population; music recording studio serving high school and community; outdoor mobile grilling ministry; kitchen renovations for community food ministries
• $50,000 max (matching grant possible; could be increased on a case-by-case basis)
• Grants preferred / larger amounts may include a zero-interest loan
• Disbursed over no more than 1 year according to the plan in the grant proposal
• Renewable up to 2 additional years, depending on bi-annual review
• Physical plant modifications possible if in service to a defined, ongoing community outreach project
• Grant Review Process Level 4 (see below)

Urban / Ethnic Worker Development

• $80,000 max (one-year payment at a time)
• Disbursed over the length of the training program
• Grant Review Process Level 3 (see below)

Short-Term International Outreach / Partnership

• Examples: mission trips to foreign countries in collaboration with the LCMS Office of International Mission or a Registered Service Organization of the LCMS; teaching at LCMS partner churches overseas
• $10,000 max
• Single Disbursement; Non-Renewable
• Grant Review Process Level 2 (see below)
• Subject to approval of LCMS missionaries in the field where the proposed trip would occur

NOTE:

For ALL grants over $5,000, the pastor and at least 4 congregational leaders should attend a single "Beyond the Breakwater" event together. Available events can be found here. If this is not feasible, alternative activities include the pastor and at least 4 congregational leaders taking one of the following courses: a) The Hopeful Neighborhood Project (www.hopefulneighborhood.org/); or b) the outreach module - Witness 101 from the Michigan District e-learning site found here.

If you download the paper form and complete it, please email it to Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow.

Grant Review Processes