Startup Grants (Organizations)
Funding Amount
50% match on first $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- One-time opportunity
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations
Other requirements
- Your organization must be starting a new endowment fund with LLF
- Organization must raise a portion of the initial gift from community
Overview
Startup Grants for Organizations
Purpose: Help new endowment funds launch with momentum by matching contributions for establishing new endowment funds.
Geographic Scope: Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations (primarily Lutheran)
Key Features:
- 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
- Provides the highest match rate compared to other LLF programs
Eligibility:
- Your organization must be starting a new endowment fund with LLF
- Organization must raise a portion of the initial gift from community
- Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations
What They Fund:
- Endowment fund establishment for ministries
- Long-term sustainability of faith-based organizations
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:
The Clara & Spencer Werner Foundation was established to assist Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations. Today, its successor, the Clara & Spencer Werner Donor Advised Fund (managed by Lutheran Legacy Foundation), primarily provides matching grants to help create and grow endowments. LLF manages over $80 million in assets with 250+ active organization funds.
How to Apply
Application Process
- Step 1 — Easy Application
- Fill out a simple application with information about your ministry, your funding goals, and your initial investment
- Contact LLF to apply
- Step 2 — LLF Matching Grants Review
- LLF reviews your application and matches eligible funds to help you get started
- Step 3 — Growth & Distribution
- Once your fund is established, it begins growing and generating annual support for your ministry
Required Information:
- Information about your ministry
- Funding goals
- Initial investment amount
- Confirmation that you will raise a portion of the initial gift from your community
Notes:
- If unsure whether your organization qualifies, LLF is happy to walk you through the process
- Simple application process designed to be straightforward
What Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 28
- Total given
- $932K
- Median grant
- $15K
- Range
- $5,019–$281K
- By dollars: Indiana 38%, Illinois 27%, Missouri 13%. Top recipient cities: Paris, IL; St. Louis, MO; Ft Wayne, IN.
- 12% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 36% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Grace Lutheran Child Development Ce · Paris, IL
Operations & general
$119K
Crean Luthern High School · Irvine, CA
Matching grant
$56K
Siberian Lutheran Mission Society · Fort Wayne, IN
Matching grant & ope
$49K
New Lutheran High School · Green Bay, WI
Matching grant
$45K
Grace Lutheran Church · Paris, IL
Scholarship & genera
$39K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Churches
- Nonprofits
- Capacity building
Categories
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