Application Process Video Tutorial
Grant applicants 1
- All member congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) within the United States are eligible.
- Congregations and circuits may collaborate on a project and application. The congregation completing the application will be the one to receive the grant award.
Eligibility
Projects eligible for this grant include existing, expanding or new projects that support the needs of families during the beginning-of-life stage of their children. Projects must be carried out in close proximity to the Word and Sacrament ministry of the congregation.
Projects will be ineligible if they involve organizations that provide abortion services, refer to abortion service providers or do not uphold God’s design for marriage as between one man and one woman. In-kind donations (products, facility usage, supplies, labor, etc.) are excluded.
Examples of use of funds
The following are some examples of appropriate uses for these funds, though this list should not be considered comprehensive or limiting:
- Congregational efforts in pregnancy and infant support outreach (examples: Swaddling Clothes, Breakfast with Baby)
- Congregational partnership with LCMS Recognized Service Organizations (RSO) in adoption services and maternal and family material good supports (examples: Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries, Lutheran Family Service of Iowa, Place of Refuge, Shepherd’s Hand)
- Congregational partnership with Christian pregnancy resource centers (such as centers affiliated with the networks Care Net, Heartbeat International and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates)
- Sister congregations or circuits working together on any of the above types of projects
Awards
Range from $1000 to $50,000
Application Process
Application will be made through the Synod’s online applicant portal.
There are two versions of the online application, and the initial questions route the applicant to the correct version depending on the size of the grant request. Any request for more than $5,000 will require a more detailed budget and a project milestone schedule. Smaller project applications require simpler budget information and a project timeline.
Questions about the application process should be directed to Kris Freeman, manager of LCMS Life Ministry, at lifeministry@lcms.org or by calling 314-996-1217.
Matching funds
When completing the application, congregations will submit the estimated date that the congregational funds will be available. Awards will be a match of these available congregational funds. Congregations must provide proof of funds in hand before matching funds are disbursed. Project reports must include information on the full project amount (congregational funds + matching grant).
Program phases
- Phase 1: Applications were due April 8, 2022. Awards were made in June 2022. Reports are due Nov. 15, 2022.
- Phase 2: Applications were due July 1, 2022. Awards will be made in Sept. 2022. Reports are due March 1, 2023.
- Phase 3: Applications were due Jan. 22, 2023. Awards will be made in May 2023. Reports are due Oct. 1, 2023.
- Phase 4: Applications are due by June 30, 2023. Awards will be made in Sept. 2023. Reports are due March 1, 2024.
Volunteer activities
Volunteer information and service hours will be recorded in the LCMS Office of National Mission Galaxy Digital database. LCMS Life Ministry will provide training for the database but will not provide volunteer coordination.
Grant agreements
The LCMS grant administration manager will send a grant agreement to every grant recipient. The recipient will accept the award by signing and returning the signature page.
Recipient reporting process
Grant reports will be due six months following the award of the grant. If the project is expected to run longer than six months, an interim six-month report will be due in addition to the final report.
Communication about grant recipients
As part of their six-month grant report, grant recipients must agree to submit photos and impact stories on the project that may be shared publicly via LCMS communication platforms. The names of individuals will not be associated with the photos and stories unless a media release is on file with the LCMS.
Program
LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM) will administer the program through LCMS Life Ministry.
Procedures
All grant applicants must complete the online request form. Any necessary congregational approvals required for a project or to apply for a grant must be obtained prior to submitting the application. The ONM (LCMS Life Ministry) will review all grants after the submission window closes. ONM will select grant recipients. ONM is not obligated to award a grant to any application that does not meet program criteria. By acceptance of a grant, recipients consent to the use of anonymized reports of grant activity to program stakeholders. ONM will verify the disbursement of funds to grant recipients.
Begin your online application
1 Please note: These policies are not a promise to districts and congregations. In accord with the third LCMS Mission Priority, these matching grants may support RSOs, non-profit organizations and non-LCMS entities, but these entities are not eligible to be applicants. All matching grants will normally be provided via the grant application process available to U.S. congregations of the LCMS.