Strategic Grants
Building sustainable, vibrant campus ministries for the future
Strategic Grants are designed to contribute to the long-term health and vitality of campus ministry organizations. These grants provide substantial funding over multiple years, allowing ministry agencies time to build sustainability for new endeavors.
Funding Available
For the 2026 cycle, we are offering up to $120,000 in new Strategic Grants.
- Established Campus Ministries: Up to $30,000 initial award, with potential funding of up to $105,000 over 6 years
- New Campus Ministries: Up to $60,000 initial award, with potential funding of up to $210,000 over 6 years
Strategic Grants follow a step-down model, with funding gradually decreasing each year over the grant period to promote self-sustainability.
Grant Purpose
Campus Ministry Strategic Grants may be utilized to:
- Develop a new campus ministry organization
- Extend the ministry of a current organization to a new campus
- Redevelop a current campus ministry organization with critical financial need
- Expand ministry to students by bringing part-time campus ministry staff up to full-time or hiring additional program staff
- Build financial capacity in an established campus ministry organization
Application Process
The Strategic Grant application process consists of two phases:
- Initial Application
- Submission period: May 1 – June 30, 2025
- All eligible applicants will be invited to complete a full application
- Full Application
- Submission period: July 1 – August 31, 2025
- Applications will be reviewed in September and October
- Grant recipients will be notified in November 2025
- Funding will begin in February 2026
Applications will be reviewed by the Grant Team, which includes churchwide staff, synodical staff, and experienced campus ministers.
Important: All initial applications must be submitted by June 30, 2025, to be considered.
Site Grants
Site Grants are available to all campus ministries affiliated with the ELCA, including:
- Separately incorporated ministries
- Congregational campus ministries
- ELCA-only ministries
- Ecumenical campus ministries
These grants provide essential support for ongoing ministry operations and specific projects.
Funding Available
- New Applicants: Grant awards ranging from $1,200 to $4,000
- Returning Recipients: Sites that received grants in 2025 should anticipate 70 – 75% of their 2025 grant amount for 2026
Application Process
- Application Period: September 1 – October 31, 2025
- Grant recipients will be notified in November 2025
- Funding will begin in February 2026
- The application process for Site Grants is separate from Strategic Grants
More detailed information about Site Grants application requirements will be available closer to the application period.
Eligibility Requirements
Important: All campus ministry sites must complete the 2024-2025 Campus Ministry Survey to be considered for either Strategic or Site Grants.
- Campus ministry staff should have received an invitation to complete the survey on May 1, 2025
- If you did not receive a survey link, please contact Emily Tveite at emily.tveite@elca.org
How to Apply
- Request your 2026 funds before October 31, 2025 using the online application form.
- Grant award amounts will be announced in November 2025.
- Between December 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026, all sites will need to complete grant agreements in ELCA Grantmaker and verify banking information. More information will be sent to applicants in November.
Questions?
If you would like to discuss an idea for a Strategic Grant, please schedule a consultation using our online calendar or email Pastor Emily Tveite at emily.tveite@elca.org.
