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EnglishWhat Types of Projects Does Siebert Lutheran Foundation Fund?
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Siebert Lutheran Foundation funds Lutheran ministries and nonprofits that fit one of three funding priorities: Growing (growing the Body of Christ), Educating (educating while sharing the Gospel), and Serving (serving as the hands and feet of Christ). Each priority has its own initiatives and desired short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes, and the foundation publishes these so applicants can judge fit before applying. If your project advances Lutheran Gospel impact in the church and community — especially in Wisconsin and Greater Milwaukee — it is worth checking against the three priorities below.
The three funding priorities
The foundation describes its work as "Growing. Educating. Serving." and states it partners with Lutheran ministries and nonprofits to Grow the Body of Christ, Educate While Sharing the Gospel, and Serve as the Hands and Feet of Christ.
| Priority | What it means | What to check on your side |
|---|---|---|
| Growing | Growing the Body of Christ | Does your project build up Lutheran congregations or the wider Lutheran community? |
| Educating | Educating while sharing the Gospel | Does your project combine education with Gospel sharing? |
| Serving | Serving as the hands and feet of Christ | Does your project deliver service to people and communities? |
The foundation frames these as "funding priorities, initiatives we strive to support in each priority, and desired short, intermediate, and long term outcomes." That means fit is judged not only on which priority you fall under, but on whether your project's intended outcomes line up with the outcomes the foundation wants to see.
Who is in the target range
The foundation's stated focus is "Lutheran ministries and nonprofits," and it describes deep knowledge of "the Lutheran community and its leaders in Wisconsin, especially Greater Milwaukee." So the clearest fits are:
- Lutheran ministries
- Nonprofits working within the Lutheran Christian community
- Organizations serving Wisconsin, with particular attention to Greater Milwaukee
If your organization is outside the Lutheran community, or works far outside Wisconsin, the published priorities give you less to match against.
How to test whether your project fits
- Read the principles first. The foundation links "We believe" to the principles underlying its work and how they guide funding decisions. Read these before anything else — they are the frame for every priority.
- Pick your priority. Decide whether your project is primarily Growing, Educating, or Serving. If you cannot place it in one, that is a signal to look more carefully at fit.
- Compare outcomes, not just topic. The foundation states it supports "desired short, intermediate, and long term outcomes" within each priority. Map your own intended outcomes against those, not just your subject area.
- Use the fit check. The site provides an "Is your project a good fit?" path under Educating that leads to the three priorities, initiatives, and outcomes. Work through it as a self-assessment.
- Review grantee examples. "Impact stories" and the Community Impact Report show what funded work actually looks like — the 2025 report highlights $4.5M in grants. Matching your project against real grantees is faster than reading criteria in the abstract.
- Then apply. The "Apply for a grant" section holds the instructions and forms for applying online. The foundation also offers "Get the 101 on Siebert's Grant Process!" as an orientation to how the process works.
Common mismatches to watch for
- Right topic, wrong outcomes. A project can be about education but still not match the foundation's desired outcomes for Educating. Check outcomes explicitly.
- Right cause, wrong community. Work that is Lutheran in name but not rooted in the Wisconsin/Greater Milwaukee Lutheran community may not align with the foundation's stated knowledge base.
- Skipping the principles. The funding decisions are guided by the foundation's stated principles, so a project that conflicts with them is unlikely to fit regardless of priority.
Beyond grants: Siebert Serves
The foundation also runs Siebert Serves, through which — for the first time in its nearly 45-year history — it accepts funds from donors and foundations aligned with its funding priorities who want to increase their impact. This is a collaborative philanthropy route rather than a grant route, with options for unrestricted current or planned gifts and named endowed funds. If your interest is partnering philanthropically rather than receiving a grant, this is the relevant path.