Guidelines are under revision. Please check for new guidelines after April 15, 2010.

Our Mission

Wheat Ridge is Lutherans seeding new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ.

Background and Focus

Having its roots in a Lutheran tuberculosis sanatorium established in Wheat Ridge, Colorado in 1905, the Wheat Ridge Foundation was created in 1942 to extend and expand the ministry of healing and service beyond the confines of the Colorado Sanatorium. Renamed Wheat Ridge Ministries in 1991, today's focus is "seeding" new Christian ministries around the world in the broadly defined category of health and healing. Wheat Ridge encourages the development of innovative projects that seek to meet human needs in the spirit of the healing Christ.  Our seeding activities are focused in six initiative areas that include Care and Development of Church Leaders, Community Service Ministries, Generational Ministries, Global Health and Service Ministries, Health and Wellness Ministries, and Peace and Justice Issues.

Wheat Ridge responds to opportunities for service through organizations related in some way to the Lutheran church.

Wheat Ridge derives the major portion of its program support from the generous gifts of individuals, and from the special project support of Lutheran church bodies and individual congregations.

Grant Proposal Guidelines

The following guidelines form the basis upon which grant proposals to Wheat Ridge Ministries are considered and evaluated.

The Proposal Sponsor...

Is a NOT-FOR-PROFIT Organization - Except in extraordinary circumstances, grants are limited to 501(c)3 organizations. Evidence of equivalent corporate or trust status is required for organizations located outside the United States.  Grants to new organizations, which have not yet received not-for-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service, must be channeled through an existing 501(c)3 organization.

Is CREDIBLE - Sponsor is trustworthy, accountable, and uses qualified individuals to administer and implement the proposal.

The proposal...

INVOLVES A MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HOPE - Addresses a health-related issue through Christian service. Seeks to prevent or improve a circumstance that keeps the affected population from experiencing the fullness of life made possible through Jesus Christ (John 10:10).

INVOLVES LUTHERANS - The proposal is sponsored by a Lutheran congregation or agency or, if sponsored by a non-Lutheran organization, includes significant participation of Lutheran congregations, agencies, or individuals in the project's development and implementation.

Is NEW - The focus of the proposal is on new initiatives, directions, or methods. Grants are not provided to support the normal, ongoing operating expenses of an established project or ministry.

Includes LOCAL INVOLVEMENT - Individuals, congregations, agencies, and other organizations in the local community support and participate in the project.

Seeks support for a LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME - Wheat Ridge grants are non-renewable and are limited to a span of no more than three years, with a decreasing amount of funds provided each year.

Is TIMELY and UNIQUE - Addresses an emerging health issue, offers a unique approach to an existing issue, or provides a proven approach to people in unique locations or circumstances.

EMPOWERS PEOPLE - Helps those served develop competence, a sense of community, and an understanding of personal significance as people of God.

Is VIABLE - Shows potential for being achievable and realistic, utilizes what has been learned by others, and receives positive review from knowledgeable people outside the organization. Shows good probability for long-term support, if needed.

SHARES WITH OTHERS - Includes a specific plan for sharing goals, methods, accomplishments, and learnings with other congregations or agencies.

Focus is on PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION - Wheat Ridge is most interested in providing resources that contribute to program implementation, including staff. Generally, Wheat Ridge does not provide grants for projects whose primary focus is purchasing major equipment, facility construction or renovation, or endowment.

Grant priorities are established within Wheat Ridge's budget allowance, based on proposal evaluation and any Wheat Ridge Ministries program emphases which may be established.

Guidelines For Submitting Major Grant Proposals

Wheat Ridge Ministries considers grant requests distributed over one, two or three years. Grant awards in recent years have ranged from $5,000 to $50,000 (total) and are paid in declining amounts (i.e., $25,000 year one; $15,000 year two; $10,000 year three.)  Wheat Ridge Ministries awards major grants in April and October. The deadlines for receiving concept papers are December 15th and June 15th of each year.

Questions or requests for assistance in developing a proposal should be directed to the Program Office. It is our desire to serve you well as you consider new and creative ways to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through ministries of Health and Hope!

Some Thoughts to Keep in Mind...

Because the need for resources to help people is so vivid in most congregations and agencies, it's probable that there will be many more good proposals submitted each year than Wheat Ridge can support. In recent years, only a small portion of those submitted have been funded.

Please keep in mind that a declined proposal does not mean that the idea or the proposal is not a good one. Because we are forced to chose from among many outstanding proposals, some simply cannot be funded. Please consider alternative funding plans when submitting a proposal or at least submit the proposal with the awareness that it may not receive funds.

At the same time, keep in mind that there is great value in developing a proposal, regardless of the funding decision. The process allows an idea to be "honed" into a solid plan. It also encourages the creation of new ideas, which might not be conceived without the discipline of proposal writing.

We anticipate that there will continue to be many more good proposals than Wheat Ridge can fund. That's GOOD NEWS because it means that many people are responding to our healing Christ by developing new ministries of Health and Hope. Our goal, regardless of our ability to provide funds, is to encourage and support those who are involved in these creative new endeavors!