The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Office of National Mission offers national development grants to aid LCMS congregations, Recognized Service Organizations, and districts to vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches and communities. This is an annual grant cycle. Applications will be accepted between June 1 and August 1. Awards are announced in October. We encourage innovative proposals that others can use to advance the national mission work of the LCMS. For questions about National Development Grants, contact grants@lcms.org or 888-THE LCMS.
Grant Description & Criteria
- Vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches and communities
- Address one or more of the following questions:
- Does your project help plant, sustain or revitalize spiritually healthy, vibrant and distinctly Lutheran churches?
- Does your project support theological education?
- Does your project intentionally connect human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry?
- Does your project collaborate with Synod's members and other partners to enhance mission effectiveness?
- Does your project help nurture professional church workers to promote their spiritual, emotional and physical well-being?
- Does your project address the ministry needs of children and youth that will enable them to grow into healthy, spiritually grounded adults?
- Does your project enhance early childhood, elementary, or secondary Lutheran education or youth ministry?
- Does your project strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out God’s design?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for a national development grant?
- LCMS congregations
- LCMS districts
- LCMS Recognized Service Organizations
What documents do I need to submit?
- Grant application
- Budget template
- Organizational history (RSOs)
- IRS Determination Letter of Non-Profit Status (501c3 or 509a)(RSOs)
Photo Permission: When an applicant submits photographs, they give the LCMS permission to publish them in future resources, such as the LCMS website, giving catalogs, newsletters, annual reports and other documents. The LCMS Office of National Mission 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.
Can I mail or email my application?
Applications are only accepted via the online applicant portal.
How late can applications be submitted on the due date?
- Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the respective deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to create an account in the applicant portal and begin the application process early. Grants are awarded for a 12-month term
- Applications are due by August 1; award decisions are announced in October.
If August 1 is during a weekend, the deadline will be the following Monday.
How and when will we be notified about grant decisions?
Grant award notifications and declinations will be sent via email to the project contact entered on the application form. An email notification will be sent whether the final decision is positive or negative.
When will grant money be available to the recipient?
Grant funds are ordinarily disbursed in November in accordance with and subject to each grant agreement. Payment of funds is contingent on acceptance of the grant award. The grant agreement must be signed and returned to accept the award. Smaller grant awards may be disbursed as a one-time payment. Larger grant awards may be disbursed in two payments and are contingent upon receipt of requirements.
If we receive a grant, can we apply again for the same project after the grant term ends?
Another new application can be submitted for the same project; however, there are no guarantees that an additional grant will be awarded. Applications for the same project are limited to three years. Any subsequent grants are awarded in declining amounts.
How will my district president endorse my application?
Applicants should share their project with the district president and solicit his support as part of the application process. This will facilitate a smooth endorsement process. Each application will be routed to the applicable district for the district president’s endorsement. The Synod will handle this routing using our online tools.
National Development Grant Process
Step 1 — Plan
- Recruit a team from your organization to work together on your project.
- Evaluate your ideas against the needs of your community and the grant eligibility guidelines.
- Outline the project goals and how results will be measured.
- Prepare a draft budget for your project.
- Create a plan to implement your project.
- Assess your organization’s capacity to accomplish your goals.
- Garner support and buy-in from your leadership and members or staff.
- Prepare a brief organizational history.
- Secure a copy of your organization’s IRS Determination Letter of Non-profit Status (501c3 or 509a).
Step 2 — Apply
- Seek the support of your district president and remind him that he will receive an electronic request for his endorsement of your project.
- Decide who will manage correspondence with the LCMS for your project and create an account in the applicant portal.
- Begin your online application. You may save and go back to your application as you’re working on it.
- Upload a final budget using the LCMS budget template, which can be downloaded from within the online application.
- Upload a brief organizational history and an IRS Determination Letter of Non-profit Status (501c3 or 509a) with your application.
Step 3 — Report
- Recipients of national development grants are to be good stewards of the gifts given them.
- Narrative and financial reporting is required for every grant.
- Receipts and detailed expense records are required as part of the financial reporting.
- Narrative reporting includes the measurement of goals identified in the application.
- ALL reporting must be submitted through the online grant portal
This grant program is supplemented by funds from the Wiebe Mission Advancement Fund. Under the custodianship of the LCMS Foundation, the gift of John and Harriet Wiebe continues to have an immediate impact in the kingdom of God, even years after the Lord called them home. We give thanks for the Wiebes and for their example of generosity, foresight and love for the Lord.