Annual Site Grants
ELCA Campus Ministry Site Grants are available to all types of campus ministries affiliated with the ELCA, including seperately incorporated ministries, congregationally-based ministries, ELCA-only ministries, and Ecumenical campus ministries. These grants provide support for ongoing operations and do not require a particular project or focus. All campus ministries are encouraged to apply for their site grant annually. Sites that prefer to cede all or some of their grant funds to other ministries with greater financial need may do so on the annual application.
The award amounts for Annual Site Grants are determined by two factors: type of organization (congregationally-based v. standalone) and staff time allocated (full time, part time – 20 to 36 hours per week, or very part time – less than 20 hours per week).
- 2027 Award Amount: $1,000 to $4,000 for new applicants or up to 70% of 2026 grant (whichever is greater)
- Application Period: September 15 to November 15, 2026
- Decisions Communicated: December 15, 2026
- Funds Disbursed: March 1, June 1, September 1, & December 1, 2027
Strategic Grants
ELCA Campus Ministry Strategic Grants provide substantial, multi-year funding designed to build the long-term health and vitality of campus ministry organizations. All applications should:
- Increase the organization’s capacity to do ministry with students
- Share a clear, focused plan for implementation and ongoing evaluation
- Identify one or more leaders with capacity ot steward the project
- Have an integrated plan for sustaining the initiative after the six year grant cycle
2027 Funding Focus
In 2027, we are seeking grant applications that will intentionally grow ministry with students of color, international studetns, and/or first generation college students. We encourage applications from:
- ELCA-affiliated ministries at Minority Serving Institutions (as designated by the US Department of Education) for an initiative that grows ministry with students
- ELCA- affiliated synods, congregations, and other entities seeking to begin new ministries at Minority Serving Institutions
- ELCA-affiliated ministries at non-Minority Serving Institutions for projects that specifically reach students of color, international students, and/or first generation college students
If you are unsure whether your college or university is a Minority Serving Institution, please check this list.
- Preliminary Applications Open: June 1, 2026
- Preliminary Applications Due: August 31, 2026
- Finalists Notified: September 30, 2026
- Full Applications Due: November 15, 2026
- Grant Decisions Announced: January 31, 2027
- Funds Disbursed: March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1 2028 (and additional years with renewal application)
Go to Preliminary Application
Program Grants
Parvey Grant for Field Education in Campus Ministry
Constance F. Parvey
The Rev. Constance F. Parvey Endowment provides special funding for ELCA Campus Ministry organizations hosting field education students. Funds may be utilized by any campus ministry hosting year-long interns or field education students preparing for rostered ministry. Preference will be given for sites hosting their first intern, or who have not hosted an intern in the past 5 years.
The Parvey Grant comes from the endowed bequest of the Rev. Constance F Parvey, who was one of the first women to attend Harvard Divinity School and become ordained Lutheran in New England. She served as campus pastor at the University of Wisconsin from 1963 to 1965, and campus pastor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1972 to 1978 and from 1996 to her retirement in 2001. Pastor Parvey authored three books and more than one hundred articles on topics related to the ecumenical movement, ordained ministry, including the ordination of women, worship, biblical studies, theology, ecclesiology, social ethics and the arts.
- Application Period: February 1 to March 31 Annually
- Decisions Communicated: by May 1
- Funds Disbursed: At beginning of internship period
Fritschel Grant for International Ministry
Theodore “Ted” Fritschel
The Ted and Nan Fritchel Grant provides funds for ELCA Campus Ministry organizations conducting international study travel experiences with students. Campus Ministry organizations may apply for up to $5,000 in funds for a trip. No more than $500 will be granted per trip participant and grants for staff will be provided for no more than one staff person per four students. Funds may be utilized toward any travel-related expenses. Preference will be given to sites who have not conducted international trips in the past 5 years.
Rev. Dr. Theodore “Ted” Fritschel served as campus pastor at the University of Hawaii for 18 years, and as campus pastor at the University of Iowa for 12 years. He was grateful for the opportunity he had to earn his doctoral degree at the University of Hamburg and deeply impacted by his experiences of working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds at the University of Hawaii. Ted & his wife Nan Fritschel gave an endowed gift to ELCA Campus Ministry to support international ministry experiences.
- Applications Open: February 1 to March 31
- Decisions Communicated: May 1
- Funds may be utilized: July 1 of award year to August 31 of following year
