LCMS World Relief and Human Care offers a domestic development grant program that provides support to groups engaged in human care ministry. Highest priority is given to new or expanded programs that:

• Reach out in mercy in the name of Christ
• Meet a real human care need in the community

Eligible applicants are LCMS congregations, districts, recognized LCMS service organizations (RSOs) and LCMS-sponsored ministries.

Grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 are awarded for one-year terms. Applicants may receive one development grant during any 12-month funding term. If funding is requested for a subsequent year, new grant applications are required. Successive grants, if approved, are awarded in declining amounts. For additional grant criteria see below.

Grants are awarded twice per year according to the following schedule:

If any date falls on a weekend, the deadline is the following Monday.

Applications are preferred by electronic format and should be submitted to lcms.worldrelief@lcms.org. Subject line should read "Domestic Development Grant." Applications are also accepted by mail and need to arrive by the deadline date.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care
Attn: Domestic Development Grants
1333 S Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122

No faxed applications will be accepted.

To download a copy of the LCMS World Relief and Human Care domestic development grant application format click here. As part of the grant application process, you will need to submit a program budget that shows anticipated funding from LCMS World Relief and Human Care and other sources. Click here for a sample budget.

Grant Criteria

• Opportunities that connect mercy works to Word and Sacrament enable us to care for body and soul. Does your project have that element or potential?
   
• Does your project address a real human care need in the community? Have there been any efforts to validate the perceived needs?
   
• Is your project consistent with Synod's bylaws to help the homeless, the persecuted, the sick, and the needy? Does it:
  • Address causes of poverty and injustice in local settings
  • Promote health and healing ministries
  • Cultivate concern for human care
  • Enable people to move toward self-sufficiency

Application Materials
All submitted application materials become the property of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. DO NOT SEND IRREPLACEABLE ORIGINALS.

When an applicant submits photographs, they give LCMS permission to publish them in future LCMS World Relief and Human Care resources such as giving catalogs, newsletters, annual reports, and other documents. LCMS World Relief and Human Care respects the privacy of our applicants. Materials submitted will not be given to any outside party for use apart from LCMS activities.

Information regarding the project may be used to seek donor support.

Reporting
When LCMS World Relief and Human Care awards a grant, the recipient is required to submit grant reports. Our preference is to receive these reports electronically. The narrative report section will require a progress report, description of activities, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the project. The financial report section will require an accounting of expenditures and identification of other funding sources. Photos, human interest stories, and prayer needs are requested for use in LCMS World Relief and Human Care communications. Grant payments may be withheld until reporting requirements are met.

Last updated: October 2008