Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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Grants

Living well is a personal journey that presents each of us with unique opportunities to steward our gifts in all dimensions of our lives. The following grants are to assist you in your journey.

These grants are inspired by the Portico Benefit Services’ Wholeness Wheel. Wellness is multi-dimensional — made up of spiritual, vocational, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and

MEF 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].

Mission Grants

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 
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Phone: 507-637-3904

Fax: 507-637-2809

Southwest Minnesota Synod
175 E Bridge St.
PO Box 499
Redwood Falls MN 56283

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  • Home
  • What We Believe
  • Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Annual Meeting Resources
    • Budget Resources
    • Call Process
    • Compensation Guidelines
    • Congregational Resource Team
    • Constitution Resources
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Generosity
    • Grants
    • Portico Benefits Services
    • GSB Fundraising
  • Rostered Ministers
    • Call Process
    • Interim Ministry
    • Congregations Calling
    • Compensation Guidelines
    • Congregational Resource Team
    • Grants
    • Online Directory / ACS
    • Rostered Leaders’ Report to the Bishop
    • Gifts of Grace
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Portico Benefits Services
    • Faithful Innovation
  • Who We Are
    • Churches & Pastors
    • Synod Staff
    • Synod Governance
    • Synod Assembly
  • Youth / Young Adults
    • Lutheran Youth Organization
    • Youth Resources
    • Youth Gathering
    • Campus Ministry
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Young Adults in Global Mission
    • Alternative Ideas for Youth Ministry – Summer 2022
  • Embrace God’s Mission
    • Companion Synod- South Africa / Partner Synod- Virginia Synod, ELCA
    • Shared Ministry Partners
    • Responding to God’s World
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