A partnership between the NOW District, LCEF, and Lilly Endowment Inc. has made a new grant available for three NOW pastors in 2025 called the Ministerial Excellence Fund (MEF). Applications for this initiative are the same as for other MinistryFocus grants and are available at MinistryFocus.org. Dec. 31 is the deadline to apply.
These special grants will include a total cash grant of $4,500 plus $500 in tuition to participate in a 14-module online financial education curriculum developed by CUW. The curriculum includes 10 modules on personal financial education and four modules on organizational financial education. Grantees must complete the curriculum to receive the full cash grant amount.
The MEF has been made possible by a partnership with MinistryFocus, Lilly Endowment Inc., the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), the Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin, and participating districts that are a part of LCEF. Grants are available for up to three pastors from each of the participating districts.
Financial Assistance Grants Available for NOW District Rostered Workers
In addition, MinistryFocus also offers LCMS Rostered Church Worker Grants. These grants are available to pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, and other LCMS rostered church workers in all districts through the MinistryFocus general fund. Since 2015, MinistryFocus has awarded $810,000 in grants to 313 rostered church workers.
These grants use the same application as the MEF above and also have a Dec. 31 deadline. Questions? Email ken@ministryfocus.org.
