Distribution of Crossing Bridges Funds to Begin

Exciting news! Because of the generous contributions of congregations and individuals and a challenge grant from the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, just over $275,000 is available for distribution to each of the initiatives that make up the Crossing Bridges mission appeal. Some additional gifts designated for new missions and projects in Iringa have been received and have been distributed as directed.

At its September 6 meeting, the executive committee of the synod council set in motion a process that will result in the first distribution of undesignated gifts directed to the Crossing Bridges – Connecting in Mission appeal. Funds were allocated in the following amounts:

Allocations by the Executive Committee of the Synod Council
Bridges to New Leaders	Up to $60,000 (not more than $5,000 per student)
Bridges to Ending Poverty	$60,000
Bridges to New Missions	$76,465
Bridges to Iringa	$30,000
Administrative Expense	$50,000
TOTAL	$276,465

 

How the funds will be distributed

The tag line of Crossing Bridges—Connecting in Mission—is reflected in the method of distribution. Instead of one central authority directing the distribution of the funds, collaboration shapes their use. That’s especially true in Bridges to Ending Poverty, the congregational outreach initiative to persons living in poverty, but collaboration is reflected in others as well:

• The Iringa work arises out of several efforts related to the collaboration between people in this synod and people in the Iringa Diocese as we walk bega kwa bega, shoulder to shoulder. Examples include an agricultural institute related to Tumaini University-Iringa, which itself was begun 20 years ago out of this partnership; Ilula Lutheran Health Center; and continuing scholarships for the education collaboration.
• The new mission starts on the East Side and Dakota County are partnership efforts, and those partnerships have shaped the budgets that have called forth synod participation through Crossing Bridges.
• The assistance we will provide for our seminarians will be recommended by our candidacy committee and reflects the reality that these costs also are shared by the synod, congregations, seminaries, and the ELCA.

But it is in the new work of reaching out in new ways from our congregations to people in their communities living in poverty that new collaborations promise to arise. The criteria for these proposals for funding are as follows:

• Ministries that are congregationally based and demonstrate the connection with the life and people of the particular Word and Sacrament ministry involved.
• Ministries that build relationships with persons living in poverty through ministries that meet real-life needs. The ministries should not be restricted to members, but should seek to engage people in the life and membership of the congregation.
• Ministries that grow out of collaboration among congregations sharing outreach to a specific community or city/suburban collaboration that enriches the life of all parties.
• Ministries that detail outcomes and measurements, anticipated goals and means to measure whether the goals have been met.
• Ministries that outline a clear description of the planned ministry, staff, budget projections, sustainability, and evaluative methods.

Recommendation tables are key to Bridges to Ending Poverty

Synod staff will review proposals and will then convene a recommendation table, made up of the Ending Poverty leadership team, the three bishop’s associates, and two representatives from each funding request. The table will review the funds available for that period, hear presentations of all proposals, and formulate recommendations for the synod council. Continued or repeat funding requests should include information and evaluations of past work. The synod council will approve the recommendations or return them for further development and clarification.

For more information

Some are already shaping grant proposals. Since this is a new initiative, some may want to explore questions and possibilities. Feel free to contact Nancy Maeker or a member of the ending Poverty leadership team (Nancy is staff to them) or the bishop’s associate who relates to your conference:

North and North Central Conferences	The Rev. Nancy Maeker
Southeast and East Central Conferences	The Rev. Susan Miller
South and South Central Conferences	The Rev. Ralph Baumgartner

 

To request a grant application

To request a grant application or if you have questions about funding, contact Beth Helgen, assistant to the bishop for administration.

Important deadlines

Several dates are key in the funding process and should be included in your calendar as you begin to formulate a grant proposal.

November 20, 5:00 p.m.
All grant proposals must be submitted to Beth Helgen no later than 5:00 p.m.

December 11, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Recommendation table convenes in the synod offices. To be considered for funding, two representatives from your group must be present around this table.

January 17, 2008
Synod council acts on proposals received from recommendation table.

Crossing Bridges now enters a two-pronged approach—continued raising of funds and support under the leadership of the Rev. Gary Anderson and the disbursement of funds under the oversight of the synod council in consultation with synod staff and recommendation tables. After several years of planning, I’m excited that funds are now available to provide support to the initiatives that are part of the Crossing Bridges mission appeal, enabling all of them to move ahead in important directions. The goal of the appeal is $2 million, and we have received gifts and pledges just over $1 million. The support of congregations and individuals continues to be of vital importance to the success of this endeavor. If your  congregation has not yet decided how it will participate, contact the Rev. Gary Anderson, director of Crossing Bridges, and discuss ways you might become involved.