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
Mission Grants
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Endowment Fund will once again make grants to support the mission of Congregations in their local communities in 2021-2022. The Committee is looking for projects proposals in the following areas:
- Community Outreach
- Youth Activities
- Special Mission Projects
In addition, the Committee invites proposals in response to mission challenges as we move to a post COVID-19 mission field. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Addressing community food insecurity
- Securing technological resources to support congregational outreach.
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 congregation’s community. In evaluating applications, the Endowment Committee will consider sustainability following the initial grant period where applicable.
Congregations and Campus Ministries of the SWMN Synod are invited to apply.
There is $22,100 available to be awarded. Funded projects must be completed, and final report received, by November 30, 2022.
This is the third year for the Congregational Mission Grants program. In 2020 a total of $26,470 was awarded, which funded thirteen (13) projects. The awards ranged from $660.00 to $2,850.00.
The Endowment Committee will decline to fund building improvements, maintenance, or renovation, as well as congregational mission trips. In addition, while welcoming applications which involve project staffing, ongoing staff positions will not be considered.
Deadlines
- July 1, 2021 – Application deadline.
- August 1, 2021 – Applicants will be informed of approval or denied of the proposal.
- September 1, 2021 – Successful applicants return signed agreement forms.
- Sept 15, 2021 – Funds will be available for distribution.
Click here for the online application
-Click here to download and print grant information with application.
For more information, please contact:
Pr. Stephen W. Cook
SW MN Synod Minister
507-627-9046 (office)
320-310-8851 (cell)
Endowment Committee Members:
Pr. Anthony Christoffels
Chuck Engebretson
Caren Johnson
Steve Joul
Wendy Seefeldt
Richard Isder
Pr. Tim Larson, Secretary
Pr. Stephen Cook
Bp. Jon Anderson
MEF Grants
Gifts of Grace Ministerial Excellence Fund
Information and applications for Ministerial Excellence Fund grants are now available! Three categories of grants are being offered:
Reduction of Student Educational Loans (Up to $3,500),
Retirement Readiness (up to $1,200) and
Medical Expenses (up to $1,000).
Applications for Reduction of Student Educational Loans and Retirement Readiness Grants are open from April of 2021 – October 18, 2021.
Applications for Medical Expense grants may be received throughout the year.
Please read the guidelines and requirements for each grant, included in the top section of the online application:
-2021 Reduction of Educational Loans Grant Application
-2021 Retirement Readiness Grant Application
-Medical Expenses Grant 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, pastorandy@flcstjames.org.
Wellness Dollars
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 maggie.berggren@swmnelca.org 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).
