The Bolick Foundation gives almost exclusively to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to support religious training and equipping. Its philanthropy is focused on strengthening Lutheran institutional capacity for leadership formation and religious education rather than broad community or secular causes. The foundation’s grants appear targeted and sizable, directed at denominational programs that train clergy and lay leaders.
The Bolick Foundation’s giving is centered on one recipient in particular: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod received $6,674,089 in 2025, after $4,028,211 in 2024 and $3,559,798 in 2023. That multi-year pattern shows a strong commitment to denominational infrastructure rather than one-off project support. The foundation also backs related Lutheran institutions that form clergy and lay leaders, including Lutheran Hour Ministries, Concordia Seminary St Louis, and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Across those grants, the stated purposes repeatedly point to evangelism, training and equipping, scholarship, and student assistance. The Bolick Foundation is a regular funder and a private non-operating foundation, and its recent grants range from six-figure awards to multi-million-dollar commitments. Its work extends beyond the denomination’s headquarters in Missouri to partner organizations in North Carolina, Texas, and other states, but the common thread is support for Christian formation and religious education within Lutheran and mission-focused ministries.
Within Lutheran theological education, The Bolick Foundation gave $293,240 in 2025 to Concordia Seminary St Louis for seminary training and equipping, and $203,689 in 2024 to the same seminary for scholarship. It also supported Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with $400,000 in 2023 for student assistance. For evangelism and gospel outreach, the foundation awarded $990,667 in 2025 to Lutheran Hour Ministries and $248,547 in 2025 to Eastern European Mission. In mission mobilization and church planting, it gave $251,267 in 2024 to Launch Global for equipping and $222,751 in 2024 to Pioneers Inc for church planting. The foundation also funded discipleship and Bible distribution work through Radius International and Eastern European Mission.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent grants file shows much larger awards for core partners. The pattern is recurring: several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Gateway International Missions, Launch Global, Radius International, and Eastern European Mission. The Bolick Foundation is a private non-operating foundation and a regular funder. It accepts unsolicited applications through stated general grantmaking and spring-cycle programs for organizations that meet 501(c)(3) requirements.
$22.5M
$55.1M
$10.8M
$23M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated: very few grants, all to a single national denominational organization; repeat, large-dollar gifts focused on training/equipping programs rather than a wide portfolio of grantees.
Notable grantees: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The grant recipient base is entirely in the United States, with 777 grants going to U.S. organizations. The top state by grant count is Texas, while North Carolina accounts for 28% of grants and is also the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent recipient cities include St. Louis, Missouri; Taylorsville, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Hurst, Texas; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The distribution shows a national reach, but with repeated ties to North Carolina and Missouri-based religious institutions.
It funds 501(c)(3) organizations that advance religious, charitable, scientific, medical, and educational programs, with a primary emphasis on promoting the Christian faith and spreading the Christian gospel. The recent grants file shows a strong concentration in Lutheran and mission-related institutions.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger six-figure and multi-million-dollar grants to core grantees.
Yes. The active grant program listings state that it accepts unsolicited applications and also references a Spring application acceptance period for a June 30 funding cycle.
Its geographic scope is national, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 777 grants in the United States. North Carolina recipients account for 28% of grants, and Texas is the top state by grant count.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Gateway International Missions, Launch Global, Radius International, and Eastern European Mission.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD | ST LOUIS, MO | $6,674,089 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES | ST LOUIS, MO | $990,667 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $957,155 | 2025 | SUPPORT LOCAL AND FAITH-BASED PUBLIC CHARITIES |
| CONCORDIA SEMINARY ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $293,240 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSION | HURST, TX | $248,547 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS | TAYLORSVILLE, NC | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| RADIUS INTERNATIONAL | PHOENIX, AZ | $198,231 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
| OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA | TYRONE, GA | $195,592 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| MESA GLOBAL | CHARLOTTE, NC | $176,121 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| LAUNCH GLOBAL | DALLAS, TX | $172,311 | 2025 | CHURCH PLANTING |
| CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $171,106 | 2025 | SEMINARY |
| EVERY HOME FOR CHRIST | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $159,149 | 2025 | BOLIVIA |
| BIBLICAL EDUCATION BY EXTENSION INC | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $149,480 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| BIG LIFE INTERNATIONAL | BLUE RIDGE, GA | $149,480 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
| CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP INT | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $149,480 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
| HARVESTERS MINISTRIES INC | FORT MILL, SC | $149,325 | 2025 | GROWING THE WAY |
| EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $149,325 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| THE MAILBOX CLUB | VALDOSTA, GA | $149,325 | 2025 | YOUTH/CHILDREN MINISTRIES |
| ELAM MINISTRIES INC | ALPHARETTA, GA | $149,325 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| EVANGELISM EXPLOSION INTERNATIONAL | ARDEN, NC | $149,325 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| NEW INTERNATIONAL | FORT MYERS, FL | $148,796 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| PIONEERS INC | ORLANDO, FL | $148,796 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| OUR DAILY BREAD | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $148,796 | 2025 | COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES |
| E3 PARTNERS MINISTRY | PLANO, TX | $146,935 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE MISSION | AURORA, IL | $146,620 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| ACT BEYOND | RICHARDSON, TX | $124,403 | 2025 | CHURCH PLANTING |
| INTERNATIONAL COOPERATING MINISTRIES | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $120,846 | 2025 | DIGITAL EVANGELISM |
| INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD | RICHMOND, VA | $119,362 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF EVANGELICAL STUDENTS | MADISON, WI | $119,362 | 2025 | COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES |
| SIL INTERNATIONAL | DALLAS, TX | $102,297 | 2025 | BIBLE TRANSLATION AND DISTRIBUTION |
| REACHING SOULS INTERNATIONAL | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $99,713 | 2025 | MISSIONARY WORK |
| CROSSOVER GLOBAL | COLUMBIA, SC | $99,325 | 2025 | CHURCH PLANTING |
| DARE 2 SHARE MINISTRIES | WHEAT RIDGE, CO | $99,325 | 2025 | YOUTH/CHILDREN MINISTRIES |
| CHINA OUTREACH MINISTRIES | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $99,325 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| FRIENDS OF AGAPE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $99,222 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| LUIS PALAU ASSOCIATION | BEAVERTON, OR | $99,222 | 2025 | EVANGELSIM |
| GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH | DALLAS, TX | $99,222 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | HICKORY, NC | $99,222 | 2025 | YOUTH/CHILDREN MINISTRIES |
| SEND INTERNATIONAL OF THE US | FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | $98,884 | 2025 | YOUTH/CHILDREN MINISTRIES |
| SIM USA | FORT MILL, SC | $98,871 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| WITH OPEN EYES FOUNDATION INC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $98,871 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| SERVANT PARTNERS INC | POMONA, CA | $98,871 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF | BALTIMORE, MD | $98,871 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
| NEW GENERATIONS | CAROL STREAM, IL | $98,871 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
| AUDIO SCRIPTURE MINISTRIES | HOLLAND, MI | $98,635 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| BCM INTERNATIONAL | LANCASTER, PA | $98,635 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH MINISTRIES INC | MCCOMB, MS | $97,648 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| AFRICAN INLAND MISSION INTERNATIONAL | PEACHTREE CITY, GA | $97,648 | 2025 | EVANGELISM |
| LIBERTY UNIVERSITY | LYNCHBURG, VA | $97,648 | 2025 | SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING |
| FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | PASEDENA, CA | $97,648 | 2025 | DISCIPLESHIP |
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD
$6,674,089EVANGELISM
LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
$990,667EVANGELISM
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$957,155SUPPORT LOCAL AND FAITH-BASED PUBLIC CHARITIES
CONCORDIA SEMINARY ST LOUIS
$293,240SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSION
$248,547EVANGELISM
GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA
$195,592EVANGELISM
MESA GLOBAL
$176,121SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FT WAYNE
$171,106SEMINARY
EVERY HOME FOR CHRIST
$159,149BOLIVIA
BIBLICAL EDUCATION BY EXTENSION INC
$149,480SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP INT
$149,480DISCIPLESHIP
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
$149,325EVANGELISM
EVANGELISM EXPLOSION INTERNATIONAL
$149,325EVANGELISM
NEW INTERNATIONAL
$148,796SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
PIONEERS INC
$148,796SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
OUR DAILY BREAD
$148,796COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE MISSION
$146,620EVANGELISM
ACT BEYOND
$124,403CHURCH PLANTING
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATING MINISTRIES
$120,846DIGITAL EVANGELISM
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
$119,362EVANGELISM
COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
CROSSOVER GLOBAL
$99,325CHURCH PLANTING
FRIENDS OF AGAPE
$99,222SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH
$99,222DISCIPLESHIP
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
$99,222YOUTH/CHILDREN MINISTRIES
SEND INTERNATIONAL OF THE US
$98,884YOUTH/CHILDREN MINISTRIES
SIM USA
$98,871SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
NEW GENERATIONS
$98,871DISCIPLESHIP
BCM INTERNATIONAL
$98,635SEMINARY/TRAINING AND EQUIPPING
INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH MINISTRIES INC
$97,648EVANGELISM
AFRICAN INLAND MISSION INTERNATIONAL
$97,648EVANGELISM
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$97,648DISCIPLESHIP