What Is Siebert Lutheran Foundation?

Siebert Lutheran Foundation is a Lutheran grantmaking organization that funds and supports ministries, schools, and nonprofits connected to the Lutheran Christian community, with a particular focus on Wisconsin and Greater Milwaukee. If you are a Lutheran ministry or nonprofit seeking a grant, a donor looking to increase philanthropic impact, or someone researching the organization's mission, the site is built around three things: applying for grants, reading grantee impact stories, and collaborating through its Siebert Serves initiative.

What the Foundation Does

The foundation describes its work through three funding priorities, each tied to a short phrase:

• Growing — supporting the growth of the Body of Christ
• Educating — educating while sharing the Gospel
• Serving — serving as the hands and feet of Christ

Its stated purpose is to grow organizations in the Lutheran Christian community. The site frames this as partnering with Lutheran ministries and nonprofits to increase collective impact.

Who It Serves

The primary audiences are:

• Lutheran ministries and nonprofits — the grantee partners the foundation funds
• Donors and foundations — philanthropists who align with Siebert's funding priorities and want to give through Siebert Serves
• The broader Lutheran community in Wisconsin, especially Greater Milwaukee

Core Resources on the Site

Is Your Project a Good Fit?

The foundation states it has three funding priorities, along with initiatives it strives to support in each priority and desired short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes. The site directs prospective applicants to review these before applying. If your project aligns with Growing, Educating, or Serving — and your organization is a Lutheran ministry or nonprofit — the grant application page is the starting point.

Siebert Serves: Giving Through the Foundation

For the first time in its nearly 45-year history, the foundation is accepting funds from donors and foundations that align with its funding priorities. According to the site, donors benefit from:

• Deep knowledge of the Lutheran community and its leaders in Wisconsin, especially Greater Milwaukee
• Professional program officers with a defined, analytical due diligence process
• Follow-up reporting and outcomes evaluation to assess impact

Giving options include unrestricted current or planned gifts and named Endowed Fund options. The site also mentions customized philanthropy solutions for individuals, families, and foundations.

Where to Start

• Seeking a grant: Go to the "Apply for a Grant" section for instructions and online forms.
• Want to give: Review the Siebert Serves "How It Works" and "Give" sections.
• Researching impact: Read the Impact Stories and the Community Impact Report.
• Learning the process: The site offers a "101 on Siebert's Grant Process" and a series of interactive online workshops for food pantries called "Beyond the Pantry: Building Connection, Dignity, and Stability."