First Lutheran Church Foundation
First Lutheran Church Foundation is a public charity based in Fargo, North Dakota. It supports First Lutheran Church’s mission and vision through grants for church programs and projects in the community.
First Lutheran Church Foundation at a glance
In short: First Lutheran Church Foundation gave $297K across 15 grants in 2026 (avg $20K), mostly in North Dakota. 40% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $296,984
- +12.1% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 15
- +66.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $19,799
- -32.8% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $7,286,158
- +10.4% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (6 of 15, 2026; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (93% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to First Lutheran Church Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests for work or projects in the community or through First Lutheran Church. Applicants can submit the Foundation’s grant request form. Applicants outside First Lutheran Church should submit requests to the Foundation Chair no later than the first day of each month; late applications may not be considered until a later meeting.
- Review Cycle
- For applicants outside First Lutheran Church, the form states a monthly deadline of the first day of each month.
- Deadline
- For applicants outside First Lutheran Church, the form states a monthly deadline of the first day of each month.
- Contact
Mailing address: 619 Broadway North, Fargo, ND 58102-4492
Phone: (701) 235-7389
Website: https://flcfargo.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from First Lutheran Church Foundation
Who First Lutheran Church Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was First Lutheran Church ($158K). Together the top 10 received $253K.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 53 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grant request materials describe its scope as community and First Lutheran Church projects. In filing year 2026, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Dakota and 7% to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is First Lutheran Church Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 6 of 15 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $174K (2021) to $297K (2026). In 2026 it made 15 grants totaling $297K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First Lutheran Church Fargo, ND | Support of First Lutheran Church Programs | $157,802 |
| YWCA Cass Clay Fargo, ND | New Bunk Beds | $13,682 |
| Emergency Food Pantry Fargo, ND | Funds to Provide Food Baskets | $12,000 |
| New Life Center Fargo, ND | Security Project | $10,000 |
| Hero Healthcare Fargo, ND | Freedom to Rise Program | $10,000 |
| United Way Fargo, ND | School Supply Drive | $10,000 |
| Furniture Mission Fargo, ND | Expansion Assistance | $10,000 |
| Farm in the Dell Moorhead, MN | Tree Rows and Garden Supplies | $10,000 |
| Heart-N-Soul Community Cafe Fargo, ND | Lunch bunch program serving sack lunches pay what you can | $10,000 |
| Legacy Childrens Foundation Fargo, ND | Food Pantry and Heart-Full Boxes for Homeless Youth | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with First Lutheran Church Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $7,286,158 | $906,689 | $408,938 | $296,984 | 15 | $638,655 |
| 2025 | $6,601,783 | $469,733 | $357,251 | $265,000 | 9 | $368,837 |
| 2024 | $6,174,471 | $262,571 | $321,813 | $253,310 | 11 | $132,429 |
| 2023 | $5,602,896 | $465,295 | $291,680 | $220,807 | 8 | $442,130 |
| 2022 | $5,379,319 | $399,243 | $332,693 | $275,000 | 10 | $272,706 |
| 2021 | $6,330,767 | $1,894,409 | $204,101 | $173,850 | 12 | $224,976 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is “to expand the witness and mission of the First Lutheran Church in the community, region and world.” Its website says it uses dedicated funds to sustain the church’s mission and vision over time, while its grant form prioritizes projects outside the normal church budget.
Recent grants show support for church programs as well as community projects, including food assistance, school supplies, housing, and services for people experiencing homelessness. Among its grantees, YWCA Cass Clay describes its mission as eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Legacy Children’s Foundation says its vision is to equip vulnerable youth with positive relationships, personalized resources, and leadership skills. Heart of Clay describes its mission as winning people to Christ and helping them transition into society.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the Foundation reported 15 grants totaling $296,984. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $157,802, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest award was $157,802 to First Lutheran Church for support of church programs. Other 2026 grants included $13,682 to YWCA Cass Clay for new bunk beds; $12,000 to Emergency Food Pantry for food baskets; and $10,000 each to New Life Center for a security project, Hero Healthcare for its Freedom to Rise program, and Furniture Mission for expansion assistance.
The Foundation’s grant form gives higher priority to special or one-time projects, capital expenditures, and start-up expenses; matching grants are encouraged. Applicants are asked to provide a project description, objectives and methods, expected benefits, a detailed budget, and sources of any additional funds needed. The form also requests the amount and requested payment date. Requests from other foundations or funding organizations are not considered unless they serve as a pass-through or fiscal agent for an eligible recipient; requests from individuals for personal reasons are also excluded. FLC staff requests require Senior Pastor approval. Recipients receiving more than $1,000 must submit a written report describing how the grant furthered the proposed mission or project.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Sindy Keller as president and Maryann Phillips as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed are Jill Inman, Ken Retzer, David Tibbals, Charles Swanson, Alyson Bjornstad, Kathy Helming, and Bill Schalow.
First Lutheran Church Foundation is led by Sindy Keller, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); none of the 9 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Sindy Keller
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Helming
Director
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Secretary & Treasurer → Director, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyson Bjornstad
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Swanson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Inman
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Retzer
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Tibbals
Director
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Schalow
Director
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maryann Phillips
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Wayne Dybing (2021–2025) — Director
- Former: Charlie Jorgensen (2024–2025) — Director
- Former: Chris Kennelly (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Lindsey Little (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Sandy Korbel (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan Brudvik (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Mary Ann Phillips (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Mark Hanson (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about First Lutheran Church Foundation
How much does First Lutheran Church Foundation give each year?
First Lutheran Church Foundation gave $297K across 15 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $265K across 9 grants.
What is First Lutheran Church Foundation's typical grant size?
First Lutheran Church Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $10,000, and its average grant was $19,799, across 15 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from First Lutheran Church Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does First Lutheran Church Foundation give grants?
First Lutheran Church Foundation gives mostly in North Dakota: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fargo, ND (13 grants) and Moorhead, MN (2 grants).
Does First Lutheran Church Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on First Lutheran Church Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are First Lutheran Church Foundation's largest grantees?
First Lutheran Church Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include First Lutheran Church ($157,802), YWCA Cass Clay ($13,682) and Emergency Food Pantry ($12,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is First Lutheran Church Foundation?
First Lutheran Church Foundation reported $7.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $907K.
What does First Lutheran Church Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is “to expand the witness and mission of the First Lutheran Church in the community, region and world.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from First Lutheran Church Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests for work or projects in the community or through First Lutheran Church. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is First Lutheran Church Foundation's EIN?
First Lutheran Church Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7031377. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Does First Lutheran Church Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Lutheran Church Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). First Lutheran Church Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/first-lutheran-church-foundation-morg_94f3bdc1ea2b4c9eba99864bb747e02f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237031377_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{First Lutheran Church Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/first-lutheran-church-foundation-morg_94f3bdc1ea2b4c9eba99864bb747e02f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from First Lutheran Church Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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