Grants for Educating while Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ & Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ

The Siebert Lutheran Foundation offers grants aimed at educating children and youth while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It supports high-performing Lutheran-affiliated schools and programs for those in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, focusing on academic success and empowerment. Additionally, the foundation assists Lutheran churches in meeting the basic needs of disadvantaged individuals, fostering self-sufficiency. With a geographic focus on Wisconsin, it aims to create a future filled with hope through collaborative and innovative partnerships.

NOTE: Siebert has two grant cycles per calendar year, which we call Spring and Fall based on when the grant decisions are made by our Board of Directors. We accept building-related, capital requests exceeding $50,000 only in the Fall cycle (represented by the spring deadlines) .
Pan-Lutheran in nature, the Foundation accepts funding requests from ministry programs associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Funding Priorities
Educating while Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ: by funding high-performing Lutheran-affiliated schools and other education programs that provide children and youth in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities a path to Christ-centered academic success, empowerment and hope for themselves and future generations.
Desired outcomes:
Short Term - Children and youth receive education and family support in a Christ-filled environment in order to perform at basic levelsIntermediate - Children and youth have access to the transforming power of Christ through Lutheran schools with high standards of excellence for teachers and academicsLong Term - Children receive a high-quality education, develop strong Christian values, and envision a future filled with hope
Early Childhood EducationElementary and Middle School EducationHigh School EducationStudent and Family Support ServicesPrep for College, Careers and JobsPreparing Christian Urban Teachers
Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ: by supporting effective strategies at Lutheran churches and church-affiliated organizations to meet the basic short-term needs of disadvantaged people, and to create pathways toward greater self-sufficiency and empowerment for all people.
Desired outcomes:
Short Term - Individuals have basic human needs met through Lutheran faith-based programsIntermediate - Individuals feel empowered and are making progress toward self-sufficiency and are growing in their connection to ChristLong Term - Communities and congregations are working together to solve problems
Lutheran Site-based Food MinistriesUrban Neighborhood Outreach, and Health and Wellness MinistriesYouth Development MinistriesAdult Learning OpportunitiesEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) ProgramsPrison and Reentry MinistriesJobs, Entrepreneurship and Economic DevelopmentCongregation-based Community Development
Grant Cycles
Siebert has two grant cycles per calendar year, which we call Spring and Fall based on when the grant decisions are made by our Board of Directors.  Please note that applicants are always encouraged to submit prior to the deadlines.

Eligibility

We accept grant applications for these funding priorities from within Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties only.All capital, building-related applications exceeding $50,000 must be submitted in the Fall cycle.We only accept proposals from Lutheran churches and organizations or, in rare circumstances, proposals from non-Lutheran organizations that directly enable Lutheran ministries or projects.An organization may have only one Siebert Lutheran Foundation grant working each year.

Ineligibility

The Board will not immediately reconsider a grant it has turned down, but if your organization's circumstances have changed and you feel resubmission would be beneficial, you may contact Foundation staff and ask permission to apply again in the next grant cycle.Capital, building-related applications over $50,000 are not accepted in the Spring cycle.