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ELCA Founders Grant

 

Download the ELCA Founders Grant Information and Application PDF Format

The new teacher in a Lutheran school is often burdened with financial debts which have accumulated directly as a result of the expense of undergraduate school. This grant is intended to encourage teachers to continue to serve in the ELCA schools by offering financial relief from educational loans in connection with recognition of outstanding promise as a Christian teacher.

Lutheran Day School Endowment Fund
The Lutheran Day School Endowment Fund was established at the birth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its primary purpose is to assist beginning teachers with repayment of college loans. It was agreed when the fund was established not to spend endowment proceeds until the amount reached a particular amount. Having reached that level, the Founders Grant program is now being made available to ELCA elementary and secondary teachers in their first three years of teaching.

The program has been named Founders Grant to pay special tribute to the national school leaders who established this fund. Delbert Schulz, Melvin Kieschnick, Don Vetter and Glenn Bracht all had a passion for Lutheran schools. In particular they expressed their concern and care for teachers by establishing this endowment program.

“Rev. Delbert Schulz’s whole life was dedicated to Lutheran education. His memory is maintained through the Lutheran School Endowment Fund.” Dr. James Mahler, California Lutheran University. Rev. Schulz died in 1998.

Dr. Melvin Kieschnick continues to serve the church in his retirement years. In 2000 he was honored for fifty years of ministry and service. He actively serves with Wheat Ridge Ministries and regularly contributes articles for Lutheran Partners.

Dr. Glenn Bracht made special contributions particularly in the restructuring years of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA). Most recently he served the ELEA as project director in developing the Association’s archives.

Don Vetter’s love for Lutheran schools was evidenced by his many years of affirming visits and encouraging contacts. Lutheran school principals and teachers regularly received personal acknowledgment of their ministry from Don. He led the ALEA tirelessly and shepherded their evolution to the ELEA. Don died in January of 2002.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The applicant must be in the first three of teaching ministry after completion of an undergraduate degree.

  • The applicant must currently be teaching in an elementary or high school of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

  • The applicant should be planning to return as a teacher in their school during the 2008-2009 year.

  • The applicant must provide evidence of educational indebtedness in excess of $1,000.00.

Application Process
For each candidate, evidence must be submitted in the following three categories:

  • Teaching effectiveness
    Any print or media evidence may be submitted. The emphasis is on classroom performance as observed by an experienced teacher in the school.

  • Christian influence
    Any print or media evidence may be submitted. The emphasis is on how the applicant influences students in their faith formation and their behavior as observed by the pastor or other spiritual leader from the congregation.

  • Community impact
    Any print or media evidence may be submitted. The emphasis is on the teacher as they are seen by parents, students, or community leaders as they witness for their school in the congregation and school’s surrounding community.

Application for Grant
The following must be submitted in hard copy form. The process has not been burdened by forms in order to provide opportunity for creative applications and allow for individual differences.

  • Cover letter from principal

  • Letter from teacher applicant (this letter should include their view on the importance of their teaching ministry)

  • Brief teacher resume

  • Teaching effectiveness evidence Christian influence evidence

  • Community impact evidence proof of indebtedness (such as a loan statement indicating the total outstanding debt)

  • Picture of candidate (formal or informal; color or black and white)

  • Completed Founders Grant checklist (included with this mailing)

Send Materials
Mail a hard copy of your application materials to:
Donna R. Braband
ELCA-VE, Founders Grant
8765 W. Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631
Mail nominations as a complete set. Please do not send individual pieces of the nomination. All nominations should include an email contact address.

Application Deadline – February 20, 2008
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Lutheran school leaders. Every effort will be made to make announcements and awards by the end of your school year.

2007-2008 Grants
The maximum to be awarded any individual is $1,000. The grant to each teacher will be spread over two school years. Award recipients will receive their first $500 payment upon selection and their second $500 grant payment upon their return in the 2008-2009 school year. (For example, a teacher receiving the Founders Grant this year will receive $500 in late spring 2008 and receive the second payment in fall 2008 providing the teacher continues in the ELCA school during the 2008-2009 school year. During the 2007-2008 cycle at last three teachers will be awarded the Founders Grant depending on the availability of funds.

A Living Fund
The Lutheran School Endowment Fund is a living fund which may accept funds at any time. Gift, bequest and other contributions will help the Fund to grow. As the Fund grows more teachers may be selected to receive the Founders Grant. The amount of the grant may also be increased.

All gifts to the Fund should be made payable to the Lutheran Schools Endowment Fund and mailed to:
Donna R. Braband
ELCA-VE, Founders Grant
8765 W. Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631

Gifts will be deposited with the ELCA Foundation, custodians and managers of the Lutheran School Endowment.

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