Ways to Give
Your gifts to the ELCA support and sustain the people, congregations, synods and ministries working around the world to realize the hope-filled future God promises.
More Ways to Give
Make an online donation
Online giving is simple and secure.
Become a Monthly Partner
Become a Monthly Partner and give automatic, monthly gifts to the ministry areas that you’d like to support or where gifts are needed most.
Gifts of stocks, mutual funds or other appreciated assets
Call or email us to learn more about making a gift of stocks, mutual funds or other appreciated assets.
Join the Leadership Circle
The Leadership Circle consists of generous supporters of the ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its members receive specialized information about the ministries they are passionate about. To preview some of the resources gifted to Leadership Circle members, click here. To learn more about joining the Leadership Circle, email us.
Funding your gift to the churchwide organization through a bequest
You may also fund your deferred or planned gift through a bequest contained in your will or revocable (“living”) trust. The following language is an example of how to make a bequest gift to the ELCA in a will or trust:
I give, devise and bequeath to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Chicago, IL, tax ID 41-1568278 — _____% of my residual estate, to be used as documented in my recorded gift intent. [Alternatively, this may list a specific ministry, program or unrestricted use.]
Need more help?
The ELCA Foundation provides giving resources, including a comprehensive estate-planning kit, a free estate-planning tool and a nationwide network of professional gift-planning staff that can help you explore a variety of possibilities for making a significant gift to the ELCA and fulfilling your legacy goals at the same time. Find the regional gift planner nearest you or call the ELCA Foundation at 800-638-3522 for more information.
Donor-advised funds
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are the fastest growing form of philanthropy and provide donors with a tax-efficient way to make gifts to the ELCA, including Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA World Hunger.
Not familiar with this type of giving? Learn more from the ELCA Foundation about its advantages!
Ready to make a gift?
DAF distributions from Fidelity Charitable, BNY and DAFgiving360 can be made directly.
Individuals with a donor-advised fund at Thrivent Charitable can make a gift to the ELCA through their Fund Dashboard. To support the ELCA’s general operations, search for “Evangelical Lutheran Church in America”, “Lutheran Disaster Response”, or “ELCA World Hunger” and filter the state to Virginia. For assistance, contact Thrivent Charitable at 800-365-4172.
DAF distributions from the ELCA Foundation can be made by ___. (Simple instructions are available from the ELCA Foundation.)
For all other DAF providers, please use the following information in making a gift to the ELCA and ensure that the funds are sent to ELCA Where Needed Most, Lutheran Disaster Response or ELCA World Hunger. For assistance on making a gift from any DAF provider to support multiple areas, please contact us by email or 800-638-3522.
Federal tax ID: 41-1568278
Mailing address:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Need more help? Our team is here to assist you! Email us or call 800-638-3522, and an ELCA representative can answer any questions you have or provide any information you need to make a gift from your donor-advised fund.
Give through your IRA
If you’re 70-1/2 or older, you are eligible to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your taxable IRA account to the ELCA.
Not familiar with this type of giving? Learn more from the ELCA Foundation about its advantages!
Ready to make a gift?
Please use the following information in making a gift to the ELCA and ensure that the funds are sent to ELCA Where Needed Most, Lutheran Disaster Response or ELCA World Hunger. For assistance in making a gift to support multiple areas, please contact us by email or 800-638-3522.
Federal tax ID: 41-1568278
Mailing address:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Need more help? Our team is here to assist you! Email us or call 800-638-3522, and an ELCA representative can answer any questions you have or help you prepare questions to ask your financial adviser to learn more about supporting ELCA ministries with your IRA or retirement assets.
Employer matching gifts
To determine whether your employer will match your charitable gift, search below. If you have questions about your matching gift, please call us at 800-638-3522, ext. 2462, or email us.
Witness Boldly, Serve Joyfully and Give Abundantly
The Leadership Circle is a community of generous supporters of ELCA ministries. Members receive tailored updates on the work they love and, together with these ministries, help embody gospel hope in creative, life-changing ways around the world.
Call 800-638-3522 to make a donation with a credit card. Operators will assist you Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
To determine whether your employer will match your charitable gift, search below, or email us at matchinggifts@elca.org.
Give automatic, monthly gifts to the ministry areas that you’d like to support or where gifts are needed most.
