About Us
Who We Are
The ELCA Foundation doesn't just envision a future; it's building one where intentional generosity and stewardship have allowed the mission and ministry of the ELCA to grow beyond our expectations. Our goal is to create a vibrant culture where intentional giving fuels the expansion of the ELCA's work in the United States and around the world. We're on a mission to grow ELCA ministries by empowering individuals, congregations, synods, and other entities with the tools they need to maximize their financial potential.
As a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the ELCA Foundation works with individuals, congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, and all other ELCA-related entities to develop gifts and oversee the management of assets that sustain and grow ministries of the ELCA. With over $1 billion in gifts and assets managed on behalf of the ELCA, the ELCA Foundation works with individual donors and organizations to:
- Provide gift planning, processing and administration
- Manage endowment funds and offer investment management services as an acknowledged fiduciary
- Engage individuals and partners in thoughtful planning to pass on philanthropic values and support ministry passions
Our Vision
A thriving ministry that develops a culture of intentional generosity and financial stewardship to expand the work of the ELCA.
Our Mission
To support and sustain ELCA ministries by enhancing gifting capacity and stewarding resources.
Our Values
- Intentional Stewardship: We responsibly manage God’s resources and honor donor intent as efficiently and effectively as possible
- Integrity: We are accountable, ethical, honest, reliable and transparent in the fulfillment of our commitments
- Inclusion and Diversity: We value the rich diversity of God’s people and are committed to working for equity, inclusion and justice, and challenging discrimination in all its forms
- Serving with Excellence: We strive for best-in-class performance in all that we do and seek to be seen as the provider of choice
- Partnership: We serve our donors and the Church best by walking together with our ministry partners
- Humble Responsibility: We work with donors to create their legacy and honor their faith passions
- Money Matters: We embrace conversations around finances as a form of Christian discipleship
ELCA Foundation Board of Trustees
Ingrid S. Stafford*
Chair
The Rev. Kathleen O. Reed*
Vice chair
Pamela Fetzer Vetter
Secretary
Naomi Horsager*
Treasurer
Trustees
Mary Beth Baron
The Rev. Lisa Carol Bennett
Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry*
Gregg Draeger
The Rev. Frank Espegren
The Rev. William E. Flippin Jr.
Bruce D. George*
Roberto Lara Aranda
Heather Marx*
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Prinsen
Mark Stauffer*
Andrew G. Steele
Committee Members
Eric Brudos
Eric Golberg
Advisors
The Rev. Suzanne D. Dillahunt
Lori S. Fedyk
*Executive committee member