Gathering Outreach Grants
Reaching youth through funding provided by LCMS Youth Gathering participants


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In 2010, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Youth Gathering launched a Gathering Grant program out of a portion of the Gathering Offering to help LCMS congregations and related groups implement projects that place youth in leadership roles to reach out to un-churched and marginally-churched youth and encourage young people in their understanding of God’s love.
Current Grant Cycle: Now – June 30, 2019
Questions? Contact Youth.Ministry@lcms.org
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Apply Now Eligibility & Deadline Info
What kinds of projects?
Gathering Grants help fund outreach projects like:
Sports Camps
High school youth, under the leadership of their peer, Chelsea Haack, hosted a free, week-long sports camp for a foster care center and trailer park community. Transportation to and from the camp was provided by an adult volunteer. The sports day camp also included a complimentary lunch, Bible for each participant, and opportunities for the campers to grow both athletically and spiritually.
A grant was received by Chelsea Haack, a high school youth at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus, Neb. >> Read more
Gathering Speaker at Special Event
After hearing Bob Lenz at the Youth Gathering, Bethany Pauley, from Trinity Lutheran in Holcomb, Kan., wanted her peers at home to hear Lenz's message. In partnership with Holcomb High and Students Against Destructive Decisions, Pauley organized an event, and more than 750 students heard Lenz’s account of how bullying has affected him and his family while reflecting on how their actions affect others.
A grant was received by Bethany Pauley from Trinity Lutheran Church in Holcomb, Kan.
Special Needs Activities
High school youth hosted a camp for people with special needs in their community. At the camp, youth from Messiah Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo., led participants in crafts, games, singing, and learning Bible stories. Both Messiah’s youth as well as the camps participants were blessed by their time spent together.
A grant was received by youth at Messiah Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo.
English Camp
A group of young adults taught English as a second language on a mission trip to Seoul, South Korea. The trip to Korea was a tremendous resource for the school in Seoul, the congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City, Iowa, and the communities they serve. This trip also opened the door for one of the participants to enter a formal partnership with the school in Seoul to serve as International Student Ministry Director.
A grant was received by young adults at St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City, Iowa.
Eligibility & Deadline Information
The sections below offer more information regarding Gathering Grants eligibility, deadlines, application advice and more.
- Projects
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What kinds of projects are funded through Gathering Grants?
- Programs, projects and events related to youth outreach
- Programs involving youth in service to youth
Preference will be given to projects involving youth in the planning and/or implementation of the project, to projects reaching out to un-churched and marginally-churched youth, and/or to projects placing youth in leadership roles.
What kinds of projects are NOT funded through Gathering Grants?
- Projects or resources that conflict with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS
- Ordinary, ongoing operating expenses; financial subsidy to make budget expenses; debt reduction
- Major building projects
- Purchases not related to youth outreach
- Staffing
- Expenses for youth groups to register or travel to the Youth Gathering or to a Servant Event are generally not funded
- Grants
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Minimum and maximum grants
The minimum grant shall be $250. The average grant is anticipated to be $1,000. No grant will be made for more than $5,000. A grant cannot exceed the amount remaining in the Gathering Offering designated for Gathering Grants.
- Reports
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Report schedule
- Upon awarding a grant, the Gathering Grant committee and grantee will agree upon a report schedule.
- All reports are submitted online at GatheringGrants.LCMS.org.
- Reports are required every six months. For example, for a one-year project, a progress report is due six months after the grant is awarded and a final report is due 60 days after the ending date.
- Progress reports include:
- Highlights of successes and challenges (required)
- An ongoing budget report (required)
- Pictures, video, or participant/recipient quotes from the project (required)
- Local press releases or news coverage of the event (optional)
Apply Now