Capacity Building

Lutheran Foundation values projects that can demonstrate impact where there are clear objectives and measurable outcomes.  For capacity building, evaluation efforts should be unique and tailored to that project and address the specific needs of the organization.  Evaluation should ultimately answer the questions:

• How would your organization or program be transformed as a result of the project?
• What steps will you take to get there?
• How will you know if you have achieved those results?

Applicants are encouraged to discuss the evaluation of their project with Foundation staff and consult the Capacity Building Application. 

Only those organizations who have previously received a Lutheran Foundation grant and have a demonstrated commitment to performance management will be eligible for capacity building funding.  

Interested applicants must be recognized by and be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization or be sponsored by such an entity. In the latter instance, the sponsoring agency must serve as the lead organization and will be recognized as the fiscal agent for the grant.

Applicants must provide project services in the geographic area supported by the Lutheran Foundation which includes the following counties in the St. Louis metropolitan area:

• Missouri counties: Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Warren
• Illinois counties: Jersey, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair

Organizations interested in applying for capacity building support are highly encouraged to schedule a Foundation staff consultation. 

Capacity building funding is typically project or time limited.  Funding from Lutheran Foundation is expected to help an organization with a particular effort.  If ongoing funding is needed to sustain the effort, organizations should include how that will occur in their application.

*NOTE: Organizations submitting a request will need to use the Capacity Building Grant application, which is only available upon request.

Below are examples of capacity building activities that can be supported by Lutheran Foundation.  For specific program activities, please visit the web page for the particular focus area under which your organization will be applying.

Program:

• Evaluation activities such as, third party evaluation, creation of logic model/theory of change, and purchase of measurement tools
• Purchasing a program database

Board Activities:

• Board member training
• Plans to ensure a high functioning and quality body that addresses member recruitment, strengthening, and/or development
• Strategic planning

Development/Financial:

• Fundraising activities: purchasing databases, creation of development plans, and capital campaign assessments
• Marketing and re-branding efforts

Administrative:

• Strengthening Human Resources
• Limited infrastructure upgrades such as IT/computers and phone systems

The Foundation will generally not consider the following requests:

• Annual appeals/special events/fundraisers/sponsorships
• Capital campaigns or major capital expenditures that are not directly related to program implementation

The Lutheran Foundation has two grant cycles per year. The due dates for those are June 1st and December 1st (if that date falls on a weekend, the due date will be the following business day). Click here to view our application timeline.

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