Generosity into Legacy: ELCA Foundation Report for Synod Assembly
View reports for our 2026 assembly on our assembly mission and ministry stories page or in this collection of blog posts.
Explore the work of the ELCA Foundation—a financial ministry dedicated to helping individuals and congregations turn generosity into lasting ministry.
📄 Download the ELCA Foundation Report
A Ministry of Generosity and Stewardship
The ELCA Foundation walks alongside individuals, families, and ministries to help them steward their resources faithfully—transforming generosity into impact that extends far beyond a lifetime.
At its core, this work is deeply theological. Generosity is not simply a financial decision; it is an expression of faith, gratitude, and hope in God’s ongoing work in the world .
With $1.5 billion in donor-designated gifts and invested assets, the Foundation serves as a bridge between individual generosity and the shared mission of the ELCA .
Supporting Ministry Today—and for Generations to Come
The ELCA Foundation supports the whole church, including congregations, synods, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and churchwide efforts such as ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response .
Through this work, every planned gift becomes part of a larger story—one that sustains ministry both now and into the future.
Key areas of support include:
Gift Planning Services, helping individuals create charitable legacies through wills, trusts, annuities, and more
Ministry Growth Fund, a socially responsible investment option supporting ELCA ministries
Practical tools and resources, including estate planning kits and online guidance
Partnership with congregations, helping leaders build a culture of generosity without adding to their workload
2025 Impact at a Glance
The Foundation’s work continues to grow in both reach and impact:
190 donors and families served in creating faith-based gift plans
$205.4 million in total gifts and investment assets generated
$105.4 million in existing gifts stewarded
$79.9 million in future planned gift commitments
$34.4 million in direct support to congregations
These numbers reflect lives of generosity—and a church strengthened by faithful stewardship.
A Local Connection: Walking Together in Generosity
Here in the Grand Canyon Synod, we are grateful for the partnership of Lisa Marie Higginbotham, who serves as our ELCA Foundation gift planner. Lisa Marie walks alongside individuals and congregations in our synod, helping translate generosity into meaningful, lasting impact.
Her work reminds us that stewardship is not only about resources—it is about relationships, trust, and shared purpose in Christ.
Why This Matters for Our Synod
In a time when many congregations are discerning their future, the ELCA Foundation offers a hopeful vision: that generosity—thoughtfully and faithfully practiced—can sustain and grow ministry for generations.
As we gather for Synod Assembly, this report invites us to consider how we are called to steward what has been entrusted to us, and how our generosity today becomes part of God’s story for tomorrow.
📞 To learn more or begin a conversation:
Lisa Marie Higginbotham, CFRE
Lisa.Higginbotham@elca.org | 805-910-5048