Interested applicants must be recognized by and in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal agent.  

Applicants must provide programs and services to those returning to or residing in the geographic area supported by the Lutheran Foundation which includes the following counties in the St. Louis metropolitan area: 

• Missouri: Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Warren 

• Illinois: Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair 

Lutheran Foundation is highly relational and seeks to develop relationships with our funded partners to build mutual understanding and partnership. Organizations that anticipate applying for funding are highly encouraged to request a consultation with Foundation staff. 

The average annual grant from the Lutheran Foundation is approximately $50,000 with a maximum grant award of $100,000.   

Program Grants 

Program grants are restricted grants awarded to support a specific project, initiative, or set of services/activities carried out by an organization. The funds are designated for clearly defined purposes, outcomes, and timeframes and are not intended for general operating expenses; however, organizations can request support for administrative costs related to implementing the project.  

Organizations are typically funded by annual grants. Grants may be renewed for up to three years; however, funded partners must apply annually. 

Capacity-Building Grants  

Capacity building refers to investments that strengthen an organization’s internal ability to fulfill its mission effectively and efficiently. Rather than funding specific programs, capacity‑building support focuses on the systems, skills, leadership, and infrastructure that enable an organization to do its work well over time. 

Click here to learn more about capacity-building funding. 

Multi-Year Grants 
Multi-year grants are awarded for up to three years.  These grants are rare and are awarded by invitation only.  

Funding requests into the Foundation are most often for programmatic support. The following are examples of programs/services/activities which the Foundation will consider for funding (not an exhaustive list): 

• Services that support the successful reintegration of adults returning from incarceration such as: 

• • Employment support services 

• • Substance abuse treatment 

• • Mental health treatment 

• • Educational and vocational programs 

• • Affordable housing 

• • Transportation 

• • Life skills training 

• Services that maintain, develop, or strengthen healthy family relationships or social supports 

• Case management services 

• Health care services 

• Transitional services that build a bridge from incarceration to reentry into the community 

Capacity-building support is available for organizations that have an established relationship with the Foundation and are able to demonstrate that the funding will enable organizations to operate more effectively and efficiently. Click here to learn more about capacity-building funding. 

The Foundation will generally not consider the following requests: 

• In-prison services 

• Diversion programs 

• Pre-trial services 

• Services to youth involved in the criminal justice system 

• Annual appeals/special events/fundraisers/sponsorships 

• Grants to specific individuals 

• Lobbying activities 

• Operating deficits 

• Scholarships 

• Services outside the Foundation’s defined St. Louis metropolitan area 

• Capital campaigns or major capital expenditures that are not directly related to program implementation 

For questions regarding funding in this focus area, please contact Treena Thompson, Senior Program Officer. She can be reached at treena@lutheranfoundation.org or 314-231-2244 ext. 102. 

For current funded partners with specific questions regarding grant reporting, payment, and contracts, please contact Juliet Holden, Grants Manager. She can be reached at juliet@lutheranfoundation.org or 314-231-2244 ext. 111.