St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation was established in 1982 with the purpose of enhancing the mission of St. John’s by providing a perpetual source of revenue to aid in the work of the church. A foundation receives gifts or donations and invests those resources to generate income. The initial holdings of the foundation are never spent since they are the basis of generating the income. That income then becomes a revenue stream that can be distributed year after year. The larger the amount in the foundation, the larger the revenue stream it can generate. While the Foundation is under the control of the church council, it has its own constitution and by-laws and is run by a board of elected church members. These rules determine how much and in what areas the income generated from the Foundation can be distributed.
Some funds are donated to the Foundation directly, some have come in the form of stocks, gifts from an estate or memorials. All donations become part of the base resources of the Foundation and are invested to create a larger stream of revenue for distribution. If people are looking for a place to donate, that will keep on giving into the future, the St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation is the perfect vehicle.
2026 Applications
All applications are due by March 31, 2026.
Distribution Guidelines
The purpose of St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation is to enhance the gospel outreach of St. John’s Lutheran Church by investing gifts to the Foundation and making distributions from the earnings for St. John’s Church facilities and programs and for ELCA missions and programs.
The St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation accepts applications of request for the distribution of the Foundation’s income. In accordance with the Foundation’s bylaws, each year a portion of the income generated from the gifts to the Foundation is to be distributed to four categories. The four categories are:
- Beyond the Budget – extraordinary programs/capital improvements or other ministry initiatives within the congregation
- Scholarship or Youth – scholarships and/or youth projects – college scholarships are for St. John’s members who are attending a Lutheran affiliated college
- Local Missions – outreach into the local community such as new ministry starts, Bible camps, Lutheran Campus Ministry
- Worldwide Missions – ELCA Churchwide ministries – i.e. missionary sponsorship, ELCA Global Mission, ELCA World Hunger
Any committee, commission, or person who feels they have a project or need that would qualify under one of the four categories should turn in an application to the St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation to request funding.
Contact
Current Foundation members are: Ron Albright, Carrie Hruska, Clark Johnson, Sharon Melquist, & Tim Tjosaas.
Inquires can be directed to the Foundation members or to foundation@stjohnskasson.org.
About the Foundation
Learn more about the St. John’s Foundation.
“What is St. John’s Foundation?”
It is an organization which holds in perpetuity certain gifts of any amount made for the benefit of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
“What is the purpose of the Foundation?”
It is to enhance the gospel outreach of St. John’s Lutheran Church
How does the Foundation carry out that purpose?”
It invests the gifts to the Foundation and makes distributions from the income for St. John’s facilities and programs and ELCA missions and programs.
“Who supervises the Foundation and its work?”
A five person Board of Directors has that responsibility. The Board is composed entirely of members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. In addition, a certified public account conducts periodic examinations and audits.[/bg_collapse]
“How does giving to St. John’s Foundation differ from giving to St. John’s Church for its annual budget?”
Contributions to the Foundation are completely separate from the weekly contributions to the Church. Gifts to the Foundation become part of a permanent endowment. The principal of the endowment is kept intact and only income is distributed according to the Foundation bylaws. By way of contrast, Sunday offerings to the Church are used for current expenses of the Church.]
“What are some ways in which gifts are made to the Foundation?”
- Outright lifetime gifts such as cash, securities and real estate property.
- Insurance policies which name the Foundation as a beneficiary.
- Gifts from various kinds of trusts and wills.
- The required minimum distribution from tax sheltered funds ( beg. Age 70 1/2 tax free)
“What are some occasions for giving to the Foundation?”
- Bequests from estates.
- Memorials to loved ones and friends.
- Birthdays, Baptisms, Confirmations, and Graduations.
- Weddings and Anniversaries.
“Are gifts to the Foundation Tax Deductible?”
Since the Foundation is incorporated as a tax-exempt, 501© 3 organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code, gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent provided for by the law. The amount of the tax deduction depends on the particulars of each case and should be discussed with the donor’s tax advisor.
“Where is more information available about giving to the Foundation?”
St. John’s Lutheran Church office will be glad to arrange for a visit with a Foundation representative to discuss without obligation the many opportunities for giving.
“How do people apply for these funds?”
- At the beginning of each year, the Foundation solicits applications for the previous years funds through announcements in the church newsletter, bulletin and website.
- Application forms are available in the church office or on this webpage (see above).
“Where does the Foundation distribute their earned income?”
The bylaws of the foundation set the minimum and maximum percentages that must be distributed in any area each year. It states the earned income must be distributed between four areas.
- programs, capital improvements, and ministry initiatives within the congregation
- scholarships and/or youth projects
- outreach into the local community
- ELCA church wide ministries
The Foundation board recommends distributions which must be approved by the St. John’s Church Council
“How much does the Foundation distribute annually?”
The amount available for distribution varies yearly depending on the income from investments. In 2020 , the Foundation distributed over $18,000 and since the inception of the Foundation, almost $370,373.13.
Important Notice: Neither the Foundation nor its representatives can offer legal or tax advice. For such advice, attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors should be consulted.