Northern Great Lakes Synod
Endowment Funds

The purpose of the Northern Great Lakes Endowment Funds shall be to enable the further growth of our church, its ministries, and stewardship opportunities apart from the general operation of the synod. The funds consist of a Perpetual Fund and a Special Gifts Fund. Special Gifts Funds shall be used in accordance with the specific directions associated with the gift while the Perpetual Fund shall distribute a minimum of five percent (5%) of the market value of its invested assets each year.

Current gifts and planned gifts are encouraged and accepted to support the mission of the endowment fund, local congregations and other ministries of the church. The synod is a member of a partnership between the Northern Great Lakes Synod, the Foundation of the ELCA, and the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. Services to all members and congregations are provided through a gift planner located in our synod. Services include education and individual counseling on various gifting options and opportunity available to members. Assistance in the establishment of congregational mission endowment funds and policies relative to gifting is also provided. There is no cost to members or congregations for this service. Specific information is available in the Planned Giving area of this site.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Synod Endowment Fund is to Sustain Rural Ministry, Enhance Quality Pastoral Leadership and Support Congregational Renewal

The current focus of our synod endowment fund is to nurture, develop and retain spiritual filled leaders for our synod and the world. Ministries to be served include:

Scholarship Support for Seminarians

• Purpose: to increase the level of financial support for seminarians preparing to serve as pastors in the ELCA.
• Optimum goal: to provide full tuition scholarships for all our seminarians through local and synod support.

Pastors’ Student Loan Repayment Program

• Purpose: to reduce the indebtedness of pastors serving in the synod. In recent years a seminarian’s cost of education has risen dramatically, typically resulting in heavy debts for new pastors and making it difficult for them to serve smaller and rural congregations.

Pastors’ Pension Equity Program

• Purpose: to supplement pension payments for pastors serving in the synod whose compensation is at the low end of the salary scale.
• Optimum goal: to provide supplemental pension payments so no full-time pastor in the synod would be below the ELCA average.

Congregational Renewal

• Purpose: to support congregations as they seek new energy and outreach possibilities.
• Lay school and leadership development
• New programs
• New cooperative rural ministries
• Rural internships

Synod and World Connections

• Support and development of companion synod relationships
• Mission support of Gospel centered projects
• Engaging our synod in the world

Endowment Board Members