Grants

Gifts of Grace Ministerial Excellence Fund (MEF)
The MEF offers four categories of grants available to rostered ministers who are in active calls in the SW MN Synod. Click here to read the guidelines and requirements for MEF Grants.

Click on the following links to apply:
Reduction of Student Educational Loans Online Application (Up to $4,000) 
Retirement Readiness Online Application (Up to $1,400) 
Medical Expenses Online Application (up to $1,500 – Application open year-round.)

COVID Relief – Funds nearly expended.  Application still open. 
Please read the COVID Relief Grant explanation before applying for the grant. 

-COVID Relief Grant Explanation
-COVID Relief Grant Paper Application
-COVID Relief Grant Online Application 

These grants are made available through generous gifts to our Gifts of Grace: Toward Financial Wellbeing program and matching funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.  If you have questions, please contact Pr. Andrew Hermodson-Olsen, 507-375-3472, [email protected].

Now Accepting Applications for Congregational Mission Grants! 

The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Endowment Fund will once again award grants to support the mission of Congregations in their local communities in 2022-2024. The Fund Committee is looking for projects proposals in the following areas:  

• Community Outreach 
• Youth Activities 
• Special Mission Projects 
• Addressing Community Food Insecurity 

These grants are intended for new initiatives or for significant expansion of existing programs to serve new people. The Endowment Fund is particularly interested in proposals that involve partnerships with other faith communities and organizations in the community. In evaluating applications, the Endowment Committee will consider sustainability following the initial grant period where applicable.  

Congregations of the SWMN Synod, as well as Conferences and Campus Ministries, are invited to apply.  (Application Deadline: July 1, 2022) 

This is the fourth year for Congregational Mission Grants. In 2021 a total of $24,650 was awarded, which funded twelve projects. The awards ranged from $660 to $2,750.  There is $25,370 available to be awarded this year. Funded projects must be completed, and final report received by November 30, 2023.  

The Endowment Committee will decline to fund building improvements, maintenance, or renovation, and congregational mission trips. In addition, while welcoming application which involve project staffing, ongoing staff positions will not be considered. 

CLICK HERE for more information and to apply. 

Projects Supported in 2022: 

Big Grove Crow River Grace Parish	Live Streaming
Fields of Grace Parish	“A New Day” Radio Church Broadcast
Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Peter	Planting Worship Leaders
Swedlanda Lutheran Church	Projector Screen
Rejoice Lutheran Church	Community Conversations around the Table
Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Albany	Video & Audio Upgrade for Better Outreach
Healing Waters Parish	Project Real
First Lutheran Church, Worthington	Sharing Seeds: Providing Culturally Sensitive Options
Zion Lutheran Church, Hanska	Community Meal Delivery
Salem Lutheran Church, Jackson	Contemporary Worship Live Streaming System
First Lutheran Church, Morris	Fusion Youth Ministry and Element Youth Ministry
Lake Hanska Lutheran Church	Technology Installation
Christ Lutheran Church	Technology Upgrade
American Lutheran Church, Windom	Blizzard Meals for Meals on Wheels Elderly
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clara City	Community Meal

Wellness Dollars from SW MN Synod
Wellness grants are available for up to a maximum of $250 per eligible person each fiscal year for the purpose of encouraging activities that focus on health and wellness. Grant funds are limited and are not automatically awarded, except for the specific items that are listed as examples. Each person who is rostered in the SW MN Synod and serves as a non-retired, rostered minister in a part-time or full-time call in the synod is eligible for the grants. Paid, non-rostered staff members who serve in a congregation or synodical office setting in the synod AND who have Portico Benefit Services health insurance are also eligible. All rostered minister must have completed this year’s Annual Rostered Leader Report to the Bishop to receive a grant.

Wellness grants are available to be used for a variety of ways of stewarding your health as leaders:

• Spiritual (spiritual direction sessions, attend a spiritual-centered retreat)
• Vocational (vocational building books for staff/council, staff development retreat and/or facilitator expenses, sabbatical support)
• Intellectual (attending a formal continuing education event—tuition, housing, mileage, travel)
• Emotional (counseling sessions, life coach sessions, attend a retreat for renewal)
• Physical (exercise equipment for home gym or church group, exercise classes, resources or programs)
• Social (Pastor-2-Pastor, Family Camp)

Click here to apply for a Wellness Grant

You must submit a receipt for reimbursement. Please send receipt to Maggie Berggren at [email protected] or SW MN Synod, PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283.

$400 Wellness Dollars Incentives for ELCA-Primary Health Plan Members
Login to your MyPortico account to earn up to $400 in Wellness Dollars, which will be deposited into your personal wellness account, legally a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), or a health savings account (HSA).