Leaving a Legacy
The Zion Foundation was established in 1987. The primary goal of the Foundation is to expand the mission of the congregation by providing a place for members and friends of Zion Lutheran Church to leave a legacy gift that will continue to make a difference beyond their lifetime.
The Zion Foundation is governed by an eight-member Board. The Foundation’s investment funds are held in trust, and only the interest income is in grants. Currently, grants of over $60,000 are awarded each year. The investment fund is managed by the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA.
“A good person leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.” (Proverbs 13:22)
Grants for Mission
Grants are awarded by the Zion Foundation each year to four mission areas. Grant recipients include Zion’s ministries and programs, as well as local and global organizations. The four mission areas are: Youth Development and Education, National and Global Missions, Local Causes, and Lutheran Legacy.
Mobility Worldwide
Global Health Ministries
Youth Development and Education
These grants are awarded to programs within Zion and the community that encourage youth discipleship and leadership. Recent grant recipients include:
- Zion’s Summer College Intern Program
- Zion’s Pre-K
- Zion’s High School Mission Trips
- Camp Wapo Scholarships,
- Bikes4Kids
- Black Men Teach (Twin Cities).
National and Global Missions
These grants are awarded to other Christian non-profit groups or Zion ministries that serve the Global community. Recent recipients include:
- Global Health Ministries
- Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry – Tanzanian Safe House
- Mobility Worldwide
- A Piece of Mind.
“We have each drawn water from wells we have not dug; we have sat under shades of trees we did not plant.” (Deuteronomy 6)
Local Causes
These grants are awarded to programs or social service organizations that serve persons with financial, material, emotional, or spiritual needs. Recent grant recipients include:
- Family Promise of Anoka County (for families experiencing homelessness
- The Center of Addiction and Faith
- Zion EcoFaith Team
- Zion Social Justice Team
- Zion Addiction Recovery Team
- Racial Justice Organizing Project
- Improving Credit Access (formerly Exodus Lending)
- Zion Matthew Bag Ministry
- Every Meal (formerly Sheridan Story)
- Wheels of Honor.
Lutheran Legacy
These grants are awarded to projects or organizations that promote leadership development within the Lutheran community, including Zion Lutheran Church. Recent recipients include:
- Lutheran Seminary students (who are members of Zion Lutheran Church)
- Zion NET (formerly Evangelism Ministry) for RiverFest
- Tapestry
- Servant Leadership – Lutheran Campus Ministry
- Zion Radio Broadcast Ministry.
Global Health Ministries (top) and Matthew Bag Ministry (bottom).
Way of Contributing to The Zion Foundation
There are many ways to give to the Zion Foundation:
- A cash gift to honor or memorialize a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion
- A gift of real estate or personal property
- A gift of stocks or mutual funds
- A gift through your will or trust
- A gift by naming the Foundation as beneficiary of an insurance policy
- A gift can be made through estate planning, utilizing a charitable gift annuity, or as a charitable trust.
- A gift through retirement plan assets (IRA’s, 401(k), etc.
Interested In Learning More About The Zion Foundation?
Thank you for your interest in the Zion Foundation. Receiving your gift or helping you learn more is best-done face to face. Pastor Connie Tiede and the Foundation Chair, Verne Winter, will be happy to meet with you. Contact Connie Tiede for more information about the Zion Foundation.