National Lutheran Campus Ministry, Inc. (NLCM, Inc.) exists to strengthen Lutheran presence on college and university campuses across America. We provide essential capital funding to support campus ministries at state-supported, public, and non-ELCA related colleges and universities throughout the United States and its territories.
Through careful stewardship of designated funds and strategic oversight of properties, we help campus ministries maintain suitable facilities to carry out their vital work of serving students, faculty, and staff in higher education communities.
NLCM Grant Program
Capital Improvement Grants
What We Fund
Capital projects that support campus ministry operations at ELCA Affiliated Campus Ministry organizations, helping create and maintain spaces where Lutheran presence can thrive in higher education communities. We make 1:1 matches for improvements, up to $20,000 per ministry per year. Ministries are eligible for up to $50,000 in grants in a five year period.
Upcoming Grant Review Dates and Application Deadlines
NLCM reviews capital improvement grants twice per year, normally at our spring and fall meetings. In 2026, NLCM, Inc. will review capital improvement grants at the following meetings:
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026. All application materials are due Wednesday, March 18.
- Wednesday, September 23, 2026. All application materials are due Wednesday, September 2.
To learn more about grant opportunities, please reach out to Steve Oelschlager, NLCM, Inc. Director.
Emergency Grants
In addition to the capital funding match program, we also make emergency grants for immediate critical needs up to $10,000 per ministry per year. Emergency grants may be granted at any time and do not need to be considered at a regular meeting. To learn more about an emergency grant, please reach out to Steve Oelschlager, NLCM, Inc. Director.
About NLCM
Purpose and Responsibilities
NLCM, Inc. serves as a trusted steward of Lutheran investment in campus ministry facilities. Our comprehensive responsibilities include:
Financial Stewardship
- Management of all ELCA campus ministry capital investments
- Careful planning and prudent investment of capital funds
- Standard approved accounting and reporting procedures
Grant Administration
- Review of capital requests for campus ministry projects
- Application processing for capital project grants
- Strategic funding decisions through our Board of Directors
Legal and Property Management
- Execution of necessary legal documents
- Retention and renewal of existing conditional mortgages
- Oversight of NLCM-mortgaged properties
- Maintenance of comprehensive legal and investment files
Asset Protection
- Legal protection of the church’s property investments
- Liquidation of holdings under prescribed conditions when necessary
- Management of capital reversions and property sales
Governance and Organization
NLCM, Inc. operates as a non-profit corporation, originally organized in 1966 under Minnesota state law. Our governance structure ensures accountability to the broader Lutheran church:
Board of Directors:
- Directors serve four-year terms
- Nominated by a committee including ELCA program unit representation
- Elected by the ELCA Church Council
- Committed to faithful stewardship of Lutheran campus ministry resources
Management: Active management is provided by the appointee of the executive director of the relevant ELCA program unit, ensuring close coordination with broader Lutheran campus ministry efforts.
Partner With Us
If your campus ministry is planning a capital project, we invite you to learn more about our grant application process. Together, we can continue building the infrastructure that supports Lutheran presence in higher education, creating spaces where faith and learning intersect in meaningful ways.
