At the Lutheran Legacy Foundation our mission is to help you create meaningful, lasting legacies that nurture Christian faith and values for future generations. We strengthen the future of Lutheranism by making endowment giving simple, accessible, and spiritually grounded.
A defining feature of Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc. is its recurring support for Lutheran education, mission work, and church endowments through grants that often pair general support with matching incentives. In the recent grants list, For the Love of Africa Ministires appears repeatedly with four gifts from 2023 through 2025, including two larger 2025 awards, showing an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time award. The same pattern appears in support for Grace Lutheran Child Development Ce in Paris, which received multiple operating grants across 2023 to 2025. The foundation also backs specialized Lutheran ministries with purpose-built funds, such as the Siberian Lutheran Mission Society and church-based endowment vehicles. Its funded work reaches churches, schools, and ministries that serve students, clergy, families, and congregations. Some grants support broad operations and program budgets, while others are tied to matching campaigns, scholarship aid, fundraising efforts, or specific ministry needs. Across the list, the foundation’s giving reflects a steady emphasis on sustaining Lutheran institutions and strengthening their long-term financial base through endowment and legacy-oriented support.
One clear theme is support for mission work beyond a local church setting. The foundation gave $281,000 to For the Love of Africa Ministires for general support, and it also provided $90,000 to Siberian Lutheran Mission Society C/o Ascension Lutheran Church for a matching grant and operating support. Another major area is Lutheran education. Grace Lutheran Child Development Ce received $118,510 for operations and general support, while Crean Luthern High School received $55,817 as a matching grant. The foundation also funds church and ministry infrastructure. Grace Lutheran Church in Paris received $40,700 for scholarship and general support, and several designated endowment funds are set up for church facilities, outreach, and special ministry needs. Scholarship support appears as a separate pattern, including grants labeled scholarship and scholarship-related support in the recent grant list.
Typical grants cluster at a modest-to-mid level, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $16,810, and p75 at $45,000. The recent list also shows a long upper tail, with several awards above $100,000 and repeated grants to the same recipients across multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a regular funder and does not make program-related investments. Its pattern includes operating support, matching grants, and designated support tied to church, school, and ministry funds.
$1.8M
$84.8M
$3.5M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $45K, with a median of $17K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$17K
75th Percentile
$45K
THOMAS E PATCHETT
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Grantmaking is regional and concentrated in the Midwest, with Wisconsin receiving the most grants by count. Illinois recipients account for 22% of grants, and the recent list includes multiple recipients in Paris, Milwaukee, and other Illinois and Wisconsin cities. The data also shows awards landing in Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, California, Washington, Ohio, and several other U.S. locations. All recorded grants in the dataset go to U.S. recipients.
The foundation supports churches, Lutheran schools, ministries, and endowment funds tied to those institutions. Recent grants include general operating support, matching grants, scholarship aid, and designated support for church facilities, ministry programs, and Lutheran education.
Recurring support is a visible pattern. One recipient appears in multiple years from 2023 through 2025, and several other organizations also received repeat grants across more than one year, often in similar categories such as operating support or matching support.
The distribution centers at $10,000 for the 25th percentile, a median of $16,810, and $45,000 for the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger gifts above $100,000, showing that the foundation makes both mid-sized and major awards.
Wisconsin is the top state by grant count. Illinois is also a major recipient state, with 22% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. The recipient list is otherwise spread across a regional U.S. footprint.
The foundation uses several support models: general operating support, matching grants, program support, scholarship support, and designated endowment support. It also backs fundraising and capacity-related needs, alongside direct support for churches, schools, and ministry programs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Lutheran Legacy Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: The organization must be starting a new endowment with LLF with a contribution of at least $1 million. Matching funds must build the endowment. Endowments using the Founding Legacy Match are not eligible for future Accelerator Grants.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; applications are accepted as organizations establish qualifying new endowments.
Who can apply: The organization must be a Lutheran church, school, or nonprofit organization starting a new endowment fund with LLF, raise a portion of the initial gift from its community, and use matching funds to build the permanent endowment rather than spend them directly.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; grants are processed when the endowment is established and initial fundraising is completed.
Who can apply: The organization must be starting a new endowment fund with LLF, raise contributions from its community, and use matching funds to build the endowment. The accelerator match applies to future gifts up to $500,000 in contributions or for 10 years, whichever comes first; one fund may be designated for the accelerator match.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; matching occurs as qualifying additional funds are raised, subject to program limits.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOR THE LOVE OF AFRICA MINISTIRES | EVANSVILLE, IN | $281,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOR THE LOVE OF AFRICA MINISTIRES | EVANSVILLE, IN | $240,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CE | PARIS, IL | $118,510 | 2025 | OPERATIONS & GENERAL |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CE | PARIS, IL | $108,030 | 2025 | OPERATIONS & GENERAL |
| SIBERIAN LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY | FORT WAYNE, IN | $90,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT & OPE |
| CREAN LUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL | IRVINE, CA | $55,817 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | CINCINNATI, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SIBERIAN LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY | FORT WAYNE, IN | $48,834 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT & OPE |
| NEW LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | GREEN BAY, WI | $45,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| LESA | GREEN PARK, MO | $43,339 | 2025 | MATCHING & SUPPORT |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | PARIS, IL | $40,700 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP & GENERA |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | PARIS, IL | $39,400 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP & GENERA |
| LESA | GREEN PARK, MO | $37,192 | 2025 | MATCHING & SUPPORT |
| BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | MINISTERIAL & GENERA |
| BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $34,000 | 2025 | MINISTERIAL & GENERA |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH | ROCKFORD, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | TACOMA, WA | $29,282 | 2025 | MATCHING SUPPORT |
| RESURRECTIONS LUTHERAN CHURCH | CARY, NC | $28,144 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| FAITH LUTH CHURCH FUND - 006190 | GREEN BAY, WI | $22,998 | 2025 | MATCHING SUPPORT |
| GOD'S BLESSINGS | ST LOUIS, MO | $22,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| LIVING WORD LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | JACKSON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| PILGRIM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH | WAUWATOSA, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| AMY MADSON ENDOWMENT FUND - 19070 | MILWALKEE, WI | $19,715 | 2025 | MATCHING SUPPORT |
| LUTHERAN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL | ST LOUIS, MO | $19,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN SECONDARY S | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | SPONSOR ALSS CONFERE |
| LUTHERAN LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | VALPARAISO, IN | $15,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LUTHERAN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LUTHERAN LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | VALPARAISO, IN | $14,447 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CAMP CILCA | CANTRALL, IL | $14,040 | 2025 | GOLF OUTING |
| JORDAN LUTHERAN CHURCH | APEX, NC | $12,785 | 2025 | AV EQUIPMENT |
| CAMP CILCA | CANTRALL, IL | $12,739 | 2025 | GOLF OUTING |
| CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT LCMS | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $12,737 | 2025 | GENERAL & PASTOR EXP |
| THRIVE ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXPENSES |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH | COLUMBIA CITY, IN | $10,391 | 2025 | GENERAL EXPENSES |
| CAMP LUTHER ENDOWMENT | THREE LAKES, WI | $10,100 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL | QUINCY, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXPENSES |
| ST PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH | RICHMOND, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT |
| ST MARCUS CHURCH | MILWALKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GALA SUPPORT |
| KING OF KINGS LUTHERAN CHURCH | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2025 | LARGE CHURCH NETWORK |
| ST MARCUS CHURCH | MILWALKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GALA SUPPORT |
| CHICAGOLAND LUTHERAN EDUCATION FOUN | BENSENVILLE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GALA SPONSORSHIP |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL | QUINCY, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXPENSES |
| CHICAGOLAND LUTHERAN EDUCATION FOUN | BENSENVILLE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GALA SPONSORSHIP |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL | PEORIA, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN SECONDARY S | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSOR ALSS CONFERE |
| GRACE LUTHERAN GENERAL - 007705 | PARIS, IL | $8,312 | 2025 | MATCHING SUPPORT |
| AMY MADSON ENDOWMENT FUND - 19070 | MILWALKEE, WI | $7,075 | 2025 | MATCHING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION | TUPELO, MS | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH | BLACK JACK, MO | $7,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONCORDIA LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL - IN | FT WAYNE, IN | $6,000 | 2025 | DEFERRED GIFT PROGRA |
FOR THE LOVE OF AFRICA MINISTIRES
$281,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOR THE LOVE OF AFRICA MINISTIRES
$240,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GRACE LUTHERAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CE
$118,510OPERATIONS & GENERAL
GRACE LUTHERAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CE
$108,030OPERATIONS & GENERAL
SIBERIAN LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY
$90,000MATCHING GRANT & OPE
CREAN LUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL
$55,817MATCHING GRANT
SIBERIAN LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY
$48,834MATCHING GRANT & OPE
NEW LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$45,000MATCHING GRANT
LESA
$43,339MATCHING & SUPPORT
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$40,700SCHOLARSHIP & GENERA
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$39,400SCHOLARSHIP & GENERA
LESA
$37,192MATCHING & SUPPORT
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
$35,000MINISTERIAL & GENERA
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
$34,000MINISTERIAL & GENERA
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$30,000MATCHING GRANT
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$29,282MATCHING SUPPORT
RESURRECTIONS LUTHERAN CHURCH
$28,144OPERATIONS
FAITH LUTH CHURCH FUND - 006190
$22,998MATCHING SUPPORT
GOD'S BLESSINGS
$22,000PROGRAM GRANT
LIVING WORD LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000MATCHING GRANT
PILGRIM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$20,000MATCHING GRANT
AMY MADSON ENDOWMENT FUND - 19070
$19,715MATCHING SUPPORT
LUTHERAN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
$19,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN SECONDARY S
$16,000SPONSOR ALSS CONFERE
LUTHERAN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAMP CILCA
$14,040GOLF OUTING
JORDAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
$12,785AV EQUIPMENT
CAMP CILCA
$12,739GOLF OUTING
CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT LCMS
$12,737GENERAL & PASTOR EXP
ST JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
$10,391GENERAL EXPENSES
CAMP LUTHER ENDOWMENT
$10,100MATCHING GRANT
ST JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL EXPENSES
ST PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
$10,000MATCHING GRANT
ST MARCUS CHURCH
$10,000GALA SUPPORT
KING OF KINGS LUTHERAN CHURCH
$10,000LARGE CHURCH NETWORK
ST MARCUS CHURCH
$10,000GALA SUPPORT
ST JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL EXPENSES
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN SECONDARY S
$10,000SPONSOR ALSS CONFERE
GRACE LUTHERAN GENERAL - 007705
$8,312MATCHING SUPPORT
AMY MADSON ENDOWMENT FUND - 19070
$7,075MATCHING SUPPORT
AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
$7,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
$7,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL - IN
$6,000DEFERRED GIFT PROGRA
