Questions and Answers

 

Below are some frequently asked questions about Mission Investment Fund. To get your answer, simply click on the question below.

What is the Mission Investment Fund?
The Mission Investment Fund is a ministry of the ELCA that makes loans to ELCA congregations and related ministries for capital building projects and land purchases. The fund finances the loans through the sale of investments to ELCA congregations and their members, synods and ELCA-related ministries.

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What investments does it offer?
Many fixed- and adjustable-rate options, including MissionFirst (like a regular savings account), MissionPlus (similar to checking, but with higher money-market-like rates), MissionTermSelect (like a certificate of deposit), MissionFuture4Kidz (a savings-like account designed specifically for children), Health Savings Accounts, and IRAs.

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What loans does it offer?
The kind that help build the mission and ministry of the church -- the kind that truly make a difference. For example, capital funds to start a new congregation for a community that needs a place to gather and worship. Loans to replace a boiler, or expand Sunday School classrooms. Resources to start a soup kitchen, or other much-needed ministries in a community. Big or small, our loans help thousands of congregations and ELCA-related ministries accomplish their critical goals.

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Why does the ELCA need investors?
When a new mission congregation is ready to purchase land or begin construction on a new or existing facility, the Mission Investment Fund is usually the only source of financing. The ELCA relies on congregations, their members, synods and ELCA-related ministries to invest their financial resources in the Mission Investment Fund so that the capital required to develop new mission congregations and make loans to established ELCA congregations and ministries is available when needed.

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Will my investment benefit the entire church?
Yes. Your investment helps the ELCA expand Christ’s church across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Mission Investment Fund’s ability to provide loans to mission congregations helps to lower the costs of acquiring land and constructing buildings for churches that are just getting started. To learn about some of the ministries the Mission Investment Fund finances with loans, visit Stories of Inspiration.

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Who invests in the Mission Investment Fund?
Nearly one-third of all ELCA congregations are currently Mission Investment Fund investors, as are most ELCA synods and thousands of Lutherans who are members of ELCA congregations. In addition, a significant number of ELCA-related schools, colleges, universities, social ministry organizations and outdoor ministries have investments in the fund. Serving this church, the Mission Investment Fund offers investment options that are designed to suit the needs of the individual members and ministries of the ELCA.

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When is a good time to start investing?
The short answer is, “right now.” Anytime and at any age is a good time to think about investing. And it’s always a good time to build the mission and ministry of the church. It’s easier than you think. The minimum initial deposit for a Mission Investment Fund investment is just $5.

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How much interest does my investment earn?
That depends on the type of investment you select. See the current interest rates for Mission Investment Fund investments.

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Is my investment safe?
In the nearly 100-year history of the Mission Investment Fund and its predecessors, the fund has always paid investors their principal and interest in accordance with the terms of the investment. Put another way, no investor has ever lost a penny on a Mission investment Fund investment. (The fund’s investments are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other federal or state regulatory agency, and past performance is not an indicator of future performance.)

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How can I become a Mission Investment Fund investor?
To start the process, download the Offering Circular and application from this Web site. Or, get a Mission Investment Fund information packet through the mail by contacting us. Please read the Offering Circular in its entirety before making an investment decision. To get started, visit the Become an Investor page.

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What’s the advantage of getting a loan from Mission Investment Fund?
A loan from the Mission Investment Fund offers a highly competitive rate. What’s more, it’s backed by decades of experience in church-related building projects. No one understands the needs and goals of congregations better than we do.

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What church-building expertise is available from Mission Investment Fund?
Our staff architects and building consultants can guide your congregation or ministry through the intricate construction process from start to finish. Among other things, we will review your ministry goals to help you design building programs that support your mission. And we’ll help develop a financial plan based on your congregation’s income, expenses and debt capacity.

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Can Mission Investment Fund help with “green” building design?
Yes. We have already begun the process of accrediting all our building consultants under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). So we inform congregations about how to incorporate sustainable designs that reduce environmental impact and lower energy costs.

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Mission Investment Fund investments are subject to certain risks. See "Risk Factors" following the introduction in the Offering Circular. Mission Investment Fund investments are not bank accounts. As securities issued by a non-profit institution, the investments are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other federal or state regulatory agency. The securities are sold only by means of the Offering Circular. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein.