Matching Grants
Matching Grants to Help You Get Started and Grow
We want to be part of your success story
Starting an endowment can feel daunting—but you don’t have to do it alone. Through our Matching Grant programs, Lutheran Legacy Foundation is investing alongside you. We help you grow every step of the way with matching grants for both new endowment gifts and future gifts, maximizing your impact and support for your ministry into the future.
The Clara & Spencer Werner Foundation was first established to assist Lutheran churches, schools, and organizations. Today, it's successor, the Clara & Spencer Werner Donor Advised Fund, managed by Lutheran Legacy Foundation, primarily provides matching grants to help create and grow endowments.
Matching Grants for Organizations
Lutheran Legacy Foundation provides the following matching grants to Lutheran Churches, Schools, and Organizations:
Startup Grants
- 50% match on first $10,000 for establishing new endowment funds.
Accelerator Grants
- 20% match on future gifts up to $500,000
Founding Legacy Match
- For new endowments that start with large contributions of $1 million or more, Lutheran Legacy Foundation provides a special match totaling $175,000, paid out over a 3 year schedule.
- Endowments that take advantage of the Founding Legacy Match are not eligible for future Accelerator Grants.
To qualify:
- Your organization must be starting a new endowment fund with LLF
- Your organization will need to raise a portion of the initial gift from your community
- Matching funds must be used to build the endowment—not spent directly and subject to withdrawal policy.
If you’re unsure whether your ministry qualifies, we’re happy to walk you through the process.
Matching Grants for Individuals
Lutheran Legacy Foundation provides the following matching grants to Individual Designated Funds:
- Startup Grants – $5,000 bonus match on initial gifts of $20,000
or - Accelerator Grants – $1,000 bonus for each $5,000 gift (up to five times per fund – $5,000 maximum match)
To qualify:
- You must be starting a new endowment fund with LLF
- You provide the initial investment of at least $5,000 ($20,000 to receive one-time match)
- Matching funds must be used to build the endowment—not spent directly.
If you’re unsure whether your ministry qualifies, we’re happy to walk you through the process.
How Does it Work?
Starting an endowment may feel daunting, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether your ministry is large or small, if you’re ready to plant something lasting, we’ll help you grow it—with clarity, care, and confidence.
Step 1 — Easy Application
Fill out a simple application with information about your ministry, your funding goals, and your initial investment.
Step 2 — LLF Matching Grants
We’ll review your application and match eligible funds to help you get started.
Step 3 — Growth & Distribution
Once your fund is established, it begins growing and generating annual support for your ministry.
