
Fostering a world of just and welcoming communities.
A single network of child- and family-serving Lutheran agencies anchors Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service Inc Dba Global Refuge’s recent giving, with one recipient, Bethany Christian Services of Michigan in Grand Rapids, taking the largest awards in back-to-back years and another Bethany grant in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that channels substantial operating support into resettlement, children’s services, and family-based care rather than one-off project grants. The foundation’s portfolio also includes large awards to Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Ministries of Georgia, and Lutheran Services Florida, showing a repeated relationship with established service providers across the country. Its stated focus areas connect refugee resettlement with asylum and immigration services, family reunification, unaccompanied children services, mental health and trauma services, economic empowerment and employment, advocacy, and international humanitarian programs. The recipient taxonomy reinforces that emphasis on refugee and immigrant children, families with children, and transitional foster youth. The foundation also makes program-related investments, adding another tool alongside grants. In the latest filing year on file, its annual grants totaled $505,624,096, indicating a large-scale grantmaker with a national reach and a strong preference for organizations already embedded in direct service delivery.
Children and family services sit at the center of the grant portfolio. The foundation gave $17,844,820 in 2025 to Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas for children services, and $12,070,291 in 2025 to Lutheran Services Florida for children services. Those awards sit alongside similar grants in earlier years to the same network, including Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas and Lutheran Family Services of Rocky Mountains. Refugee resettlement is another recurring lane. In 2025, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan received $8,645,979 for refugee resettlement, following a $7,912,889 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. Asylum services also appear in the recent record: Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest in Phoenix received $5,284,593 in 2025 for asylum services, children and family services, and resettlement and integration services. The portfolio also includes youth and foster-care related work. Chris 180 in Atlanta received $8,697,258 in 2025 for children services, and the foundation’s taxonomy includes transitional foster care and services for refugee and immigrant children.
$202.3M
$111.9M
$304.3M
$302.2M
Most grants fall between $189K and $3.4M, with a median of $772K.
25th Percentile
$189K
Median
$772K
75th Percentile
$3.4M
About 6% of grants go to recipients in MI.
KRISH O'MARA VIGNARAJAH
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Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $189,207, the median is $772,286, and the 75th percentile is $3,356,464. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, especially Bethany Christian Services of Michigan, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Lutheran Services Florida, and Lutheran Family Services of Oregon & Sw Washington. That recurring pattern suggests ongoing operating support rather than isolated project funding. The foundation is a regular funder and also makes program-related investments. The data provided do not describe an application process.
The foundation gives nationally, with 145 grants to U.S. recipients and 6% of grants going to recipients in Maryland, its headquarters state. Grant volume is heaviest in Michigan, and the recent record includes major recipients in Grand Rapids and Detroit. Other frequent recipient locations include Atlanta, Salisbury and Charlotte in North Carolina, Tampa, Denver, Portland, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Des Moines. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
It supports service providers working with refugee and immigrant children, families, asylum seekers, and transitional foster youth. The stated focus areas include refugee resettlement, asylum and immigration services, family reunification, unaccompanied children services, mental health and trauma services, economic empowerment and employment, advocacy, and international humanitarian programs.
The grant-size distribution is relatively large. The 25th percentile is $189,207, the median is $772,286, and the 75th percentile is $3,356,464.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support across multiple years for several organizations, including Bethany Christian Services of Michigan, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Lutheran Services Florida, and Lutheran Family Services of Oregon & Sw Washington. That indicates ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
Grant volume is heaviest in Michigan, while 6% of grants go to recipients in Maryland. The recipient-country distribution in the data is entirely U.S.-based.
Recent awards include children services, children and family services, resettlement and integration services, refugee resettlement, and asylum services. Examples include grants to Lutheran Social Services of Michigan for refugee resettlement and to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest for asylum services plus children and family services.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,821,976 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES IN THE CAROLINAS | SALISBURY, NC | $17,844,820 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES IN AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,737,907 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN MINISTRIES OF GEORGIA | ATLANTA, GA | $13,336,782 | 2025 | CHIDREN'S SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA | TAMPA, FL | $12,070,291 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF ROCKY MOUNTAINS | DENVER, CO | $9,277,160 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| CHRIS 180 | ATLANTA, GA | $8,697,258 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN | DETROIT, MI | $8,645,979 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF OREGON & SW WASHINGTON | PORTLAND, OR | $6,820,542 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,416,918 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE SOUTHWEST | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,284,593 | 2025 | ASYLUM SERVICES; CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $5,089,187 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF VA INC | ROANOKE, VA | $4,604,089 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES NEW ENGLAND | CONCORD, NH | $4,170,281 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES | RIVERSIDE, CA | $3,800,341 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| ICNA RELIEF USA PROGRAMS INC | NEW HYDE PARK, NY | $3,785,686 | 2025 | RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $3,596,959 | 2025 | RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF NEBRASKA INC | OMAHA, NE | $3,361,101 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| MOHAWK VALLEY RESOURCE CENTER FOR REFUGEES | UTICA, NY | $2,221,978 | 2025 | RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,986,714 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOS ANGELES INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,920,013 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CANOPY NORTHWEST ARKANSAS | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $1,684,650 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| ETHIOPIAN TEWAHEDO SOCIAL SERVICES | WHITEHALL, OH | $1,452,571 | 2025 | RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTH DAKOTA | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $1,360,517 | 2025 | RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF METROPOLITAN NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $1,275,829 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES & EDUCATION | NOEL, MO | $1,158,326 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| THE WOMEN'S BUILDING | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,089,449 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| DIAKON CHILD FAMILY & COMMUNITY MINISTRIES | ALLENTOWN, PA | $609,835 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| KENNEDY-DONOVAN CENTER INC | FOXBORO, MA | $503,426 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL FOSTER CARE |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF BALTIMORE ESPERANZA CENTER | BALTIMORE, MD | $481,706 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| YOUTH FOR TOMORROW NEW LIFE CENTER INC | BRISTOW, VA | $397,215 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE | BATON ROUGE, LA | $392,754 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $379,845 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL FOSTER CARE |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $373,890 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| UPBRING | AUSTIN, TX | $365,963 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| ST FERDINAND OUTREACH CENTER | SAN FERNANDO, CA | $266,363 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY | CHARLOTTE, NC | $244,994 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $237,687 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| MOSAIC FAMILY SERVICES INC | DALLAS, TX | $229,789 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| ASYLEE WOMEN ENTERPRISE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $220,253 | 2025 | RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK | NEWARK, NJ | $187,047 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF TENNESSEE INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $176,664 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| NORTHERN VIRGINIA FAMILY SERVICE | OAKTON, VA | $175,835 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST OHIO | CINCINNATI, OH | $166,150 | 2025 | CHILDREN SERVICES |
| COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $150,628 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON | WILMINGTON, DE | $129,761 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST KANSAS | DODGE CITY, KS | $89,514 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES |
| CRITTENTON SERVICES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES | FULLERTON, CA | $16,975 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| THE WELLSPRING ALLIANCE FOR FAMILIES INC | MONROE, LA | $11,849 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
| INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ADOPTIONS | TEMECULA, CA | $6,375 | 2025 | REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT |
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF MICHIGAN
$50,821,976CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES IN THE CAROLINAS
$17,844,820CHILDREN SERVICES
LUTHERAN SERVICES IN AMERICA
$15,737,907CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
LUTHERAN MINISTRIES OF GEORGIA
$13,336,782CHIDREN'S SERVICES
LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA
$12,070,291CHILDREN SERVICES
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF ROCKY MOUNTAINS
$9,277,160CHILDREN SERVICES
CHRIS 180
$8,697,258CHILDREN SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN
$8,645,979REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF OREGON & SW WASHINGTON
$6,820,542CHILDREN'S SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA
$5,416,918CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE SOUTHWEST
$5,284,593ASYLUM SERVICES; CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA
$5,089,187CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF VA INC
$4,604,089CHILDREN SERVICES
LUTHERAN SERVICES NEW ENGLAND
$4,170,281CHILDREN SERVICES
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES
$3,800,341CHILDREN SERVICES
ICNA RELIEF USA PROGRAMS INC
$3,785,686RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
$3,596,959RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF NEBRASKA INC
$3,361,101CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
MOHAWK VALLEY RESOURCE CENTER FOR REFUGEES
$2,221,978RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF WISCONSIN
$1,986,714REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOS ANGELES INC
$1,920,013CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CANOPY NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
$1,684,650REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
ETHIOPIAN TEWAHEDO SOCIAL SERVICES
$1,452,571RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTH DAKOTA
$1,360,517RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF METROPOLITAN NEW YORK
$1,275,829CHILDREN SERVICES
REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES & EDUCATION
$1,158,326REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
THE WOMEN'S BUILDING
$1,089,449CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
DIAKON CHILD FAMILY & COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
$609,835REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
KENNEDY-DONOVAN CENTER INC
$503,426TRANSITIONAL FOSTER CARE
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF BALTIMORE ESPERANZA CENTER
$481,706CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
YOUTH FOR TOMORROW NEW LIFE CENTER INC
$397,215CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE
$392,754CHILDREN SERVICES
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE
$379,845TRANSITIONAL FOSTER CARE
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON
$373,890CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
UPBRING
$365,963CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES; RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
ST FERDINAND OUTREACH CENTER
$266,363REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY
$244,994CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOUISVILLE
$237,687CHILDREN SERVICES
MOSAIC FAMILY SERVICES INC
$229,789CHILDREN SERVICES
ASYLEE WOMEN ENTERPRISE INC
$220,253RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK
$187,047CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF TENNESSEE INC
$176,664CHILDREN SERVICES
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FAMILY SERVICE
$175,835CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST OHIO
$166,150CHILDREN SERVICES
COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTER
$150,628CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON
$129,761CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST KANSAS
$89,514CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
CRITTENTON SERVICES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
$16,975REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
THE WELLSPRING ALLIANCE FOR FAMILIES INC
$11,849REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ADOPTIONS
$6,375REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT