How much funding does Accelerator Grants (Organizations) provide?

Accelerator Grants (Organizations) provides 20% match on future gifts up to $500,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Accelerator Grants (Organizations)?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Accelerator Grants (Organizations)

LUTHERAN LEGACY FOUNDATION INC

Foundation Annual Faith-Based Grants Capacity Building Grants Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits

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Funding Amount

20% match on future gifts up to $500,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Accelerator Grants for Organizations

Funder: Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc (IL, US)

Purpose: Reward growing endowments by matching additional fundraising efforts after initial startup phase, helping established funds reach new milestones faster.

Geographic Scope: Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations

Award Amount: 20% match on all additional gifts (after startup phase) up to $500,000 in contributions

Key Features:

Continues after endowment launch—every additional dollar raised receives a 20% boost

Matching grants are genuine investments, not loans, and never need to be repaid

Matching funds must be used to build the endowment, not spent directly

Subject to withdrawal policy

Helps organizations reach critical mass faster than investment growth alone

Funds that grow from $50,000 to $100,000 generate twice the annual distributions

Eligibility:

Organization must have established an endowment fund with LLF

Organization continues fundraising efforts

Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations

Not available if organization received Founding Legacy Match

What They Fund:

Continued endowment growth after initial startup phase

Long-term sustainability and expansion of ministry impact

Contact Information:

Address: 513 South Main Street, P.O. Box 31, Paris, IL 61944

Phone: 217-463-8202

Email: Info@LutheranLegacyFoundation.org

Website: lutheranlegacyfoundation.org

Background:
Lutheran Legacy Foundation has seen firsthand how matching grants help ministries at different stages of endowment development. The accelerator grant addresses the natural plateau that occurs after initial enthusiasm by rewarding continued fundraising efforts. LLF manages over $80 million in assets with 250+ active organization funds.

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Eligibility Confirmation
- Confirm your organization has an established endowment fund with LLF
- Verify you are eligible for accelerator grants (not received Founding Legacy Match)

2. Fundraising & Gift Submission
- Conduct fundraising efforts for additional endowment gifts
- Submit gifts to LLF
- LLF automatically applies 20% accelerator match to eligible gifts

3. Growth & Distribution
- Accelerated fund grows with matched funds
- Organization receives annual distributions from growing endowment

Strategies to Maximize Accelerator Grants:

Focus on reaching critical mass milestones (e.g., growing from $50,000 to $100,000)
Tell stories about what the endowment will fund
Make it easy to give: offer multiple contribution methods (cash, appreciated stock, IRA distributions, memorials, planned gifts)
Celebrate progress publicly and regularly update donors
Think beyond initial startup—accelerator grants continue indefinitely (up to $500,000 in contributions)