Wheat Ridge offers a variety of grant programs to seed new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ.

Major Grants

Major grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, total are awarded to health-related ministries sponsored by congregations or agencies. These grants are distributed over a one, two or three-year period, in declining amounts (i.e., $25,000 year one; $15,000 year two; $10,000 year three.)  Deadlines for major grant proposal submissions are December 15 and June 15.  If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please  click here.

• View Our Major Grants Directory  

Congregation Health and Hope Grants 

Since 1996, Wheat Ridge Ministries has provided Congregation Health and Hope Grant awards (one-time, matching grants up to $2,000) to Lutheran congregations initiating ministries of health and hope.  Proposals are accepted between July 1 and September 30 of each year. 

• More Information on Congregation Health and Hope Grants

Lutherans Against Violence Grants

Wheat Ridge Ministries is launching a grant initiative, in cooperation with the Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Lutherans Against Violence Grant Program will assist congregations interested in starting projects or programs to address violence in their communities and to assist congregations already engaged in projects of this nature. Congregations are encouraged to submit proposals covering any aspect of violence including, but not limited to, domestic abuse, violence in schools, gang violence, and suicide.

• More information on Lutherans Against Violence Grants
• Guidelines
• Grant Proposal Format

Good Samaritan Grants 

The Good Samaritan Fund Grant (formerly the Bernthal Fund for Congregational Involvement) is being suspended for 2009 due to the impact of the world economic situation on the resources available for this grant program. Wheat Ridge Ministries and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service regret that this program will not be offered in 2009, although the program is being evaluated and may be offered again in subsequent years. Please check the LIRS or Wheat Ridge websites later in the year to see if this program is reactived. 

Sabbatical Grants 

Sabbatical grants are intended to provide financial assistance to congregations who are supporting and encouraging the health and wellness of church leaders by providing sabbatical experiences for pastors and other full-time professional church workers in the congregation. 

• More information on Sabbatical Grants
• Application Procedure

Grant Recipient Report Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Writing Resources