The Spirit Lutheran Foundation
Gifts of the Spirit
As recipients of God’s many blessings, we are called to faithful stewardship and love of our neighbor. The Foundation’s grants support a wide variety of programs in our church, community, nation, and world.
We invite you to explore the many ways we invest in our neighbors, both here at home and across the globe.
Chippewa Valley Community Grant Cycle
Spirit Lutheran Foundation serves the Chippewa Valley by awarding grants to programs that improve quality of life in the areas of mental health, dementia, disabilities, homelessness, clothing, food, safety, substance abuse, and basic and spiritual health care services. The Spirit Lutheran Foundation also supports living green initiatives that care for God’s Creation, the Earth.
These grants help strengthen the work of local nonprofit organizations throughout the region. In 2025, the Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $275,900 in community impact. Since launching the Chippewa Valley Grant Cycle in 2023, the Foundation has awarded 83 grants totaling $600,100.
Please fill out the application below.
2026 Applications will be accepted from July 1st-August 15th.
National and International Grants
National Disaster Relief Fund
The National Disaster Relief Fund provides assistance to individuals and communities affected by natural disasters such as floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. These funds help provide relief and support when communities face unexpected loss and hardship.
International Missions Fund
The International Missions Fund supports global nonprofit organizations that serve people around the world. By partnering with established organizations the Foundation can efficiently direct resources to programs that address a wide range of human needs and expand the reach of compassionate service.
Global Missions
The Spirit Lutheran Foundation also supports the global mission efforts of the congregation. Each year on All Saints’ Sunday, the Foundation contributes more than $20,000 to global mission initiatives that share Christ’s love and provide support to communities around the world.
Scholarships
The Foundation offers post-secondary scholarships for Spirit members pursuing any education after high school. We believe in the value of education, be it college, community college, trade school, or another path of lifelong learning.
Scholarships are also offered to Spirit members who are pursuing a seminary education, as we endeavor to support those seeking to learn and lead in faith.
Download the informational packets for these scholarships below, review them carefully, then apply using our built-in form.
Internal Funding Requests
The Spirit Lutheran Foundation seeks to support the mission and ministry of Spirit Lutheran Church through internal funding requests. These grants are meant for Spirit staff, members, committees, and groups within the church to help cover extraordinary, sudden, unexpected expenses.
Download the request form below, and carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting.
Who We Are
The Spirit Lutheran Foundation supports the mission of Spirit Lutheran Church by receiving and stewarding gifts that serve the church, community, and world. Spirit Lutheran was formed on November 1st, 2015 after First Lutheran Church and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church voted to merge on June 7th, 2015. The former First Lutheran Foundation was officially renamed the Spirit Lutheran Foundation on October 13th, 2016.
Purpose
The Foundation receives and manages gifts that support educational, charitable, and religious ministries within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. These gifts are invested carefully so that the earnings can be used to strengthen ministry and serve others.
Vision
As recipients of God’s blessings, we are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ by caring for the needs of others. Through faithful stewardship, the Foundation invests and distributes gifts to bless our church, community, nation, and world.
How the Foundation Works
The Foundation receives gifts and manages several funds. In most cases, the original gift (the corpus) is preserved, while the investment earnings are used for ministry and outreach. In certain cases, the donor has left directions as to how the fund is to be expended, including the corpus, which the foundation then follows. The Foundation manages charitable funds but does not cover the operating expenses of Spirit Lutheran Church.
About the Foundation
In the mid-1980s, Senior Pastor James Homme encouraged members of First Lutheran to explore creating a foundation that would strengthen ministry for generations to come.
The Foundation Was Created To:
- Provide a thoughtful way for members to support God’s work through gifts and estate planning.
- Invest funds wisely until they are needed for ministry.
- Ensure that donations are used according to the wishes of the giver.
History
Early fundraising efforts helped provide seed funding for The Meadows, a 36-unit independent living community for older adults. The facility was sold in 2019, and the proceeds now help fund a visitation pastor and additional senior ministries.
After the 2015 merger of First Lutheran Church and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the foundation was renamed Spirit Lutheran Foundation to reflect the united congregation.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
The Foundation is guided by a nine-member Board of Directors that serves through several committees, including Executive/Investment, Congregational Support, Scholarships and Education, Chippewa Valley Community Grants, and Mission and Disaster Relief.
The Board values collaboration and welcomes partnership with church leaders and congregation members.
Officers
- President — Steve Kirt
- Vice President — Loren Holte
- Secretary — Becky Riewestahl
- Treasurer — Naomi Woods
Members
- Esther Hager
- Bill Klaus
- Debbie Market
- Dan Market
- Lee Seidel
Pastor
- JonPaul Dragseth
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All Rights Reserved.