St. Mary’s Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation awards more than $90,000 in grants

Key Takeaways:

• Over $90,000 in grants awarded to Kenosha-area organizations in 2024.
• More than $2.1 million donated by the foundation since 1980.
• Foundation started with an initial $50,000 donation by Walter Pedersen.
• Grants support a wide range of community programs, from feeding initiatives to homelessness support.
• The foundation maintains a principle of not funding church operating costs, focusing solely on community aid.

Continuing a Legacy of Giving

St. Mary’s Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the Kenosha community by awarding over $90,000 in grants in 2024. This substantial contribution supports a variety of local organizations dedicated to aiding those in need.

A Foundation Built on Generosity

Founded in January 1980, the foundation began with an initial gift of $50,000 from church member Walter Pedersen. “Wally put in the seed money and encouraged other church members to contribute, too,” recalls Foundation Board President Neil Guttormsen , who has been with the foundation since its inception. The vision was clear: to create a lasting source of support for long-term community needs rather than short-term fixes.

Impacting the Community for Over 40 Years

Over the past four decades, the foundation has awarded more than $2.1 million in grants. “It’s been really great how this has worked out,” says Guttormsen. “The world is so complicated and difficult, and this kind of organization can really make a positive impact in people’s lives.”

Treasurer Steve Seymour shares the sentiment: “I’m the lucky one who gets to write out those checks. It’s fun to personally make a difference this way. It provides a satisfying feeling to be able to help people in need.”

Supporting a Diverse Range of Programs

The 2024 grants span a wide array of community services:

• ELCA Outreach Center : Assisting the Kids Summer Camp Program and providing personal care and winter readiness items for clients.
• Kenosha Welcome Center : Supporting ongoing community feeding programs.
• Walkin’ In My Shoes : Supplying survival backpacks for adults and children.
• Infant Moses Diaper Ministry : Purchasing diapers to aid their mission.
• Salvation Army of Kenosha County : Providing gift cards for client supplies and gas.
• Sharing Center Inc. : Supporting rural housing and homelessness initiatives.
• God’s Kitchen : Helping prepare meals for the community.
• Breaking the Chains Church : Covering food and supply costs, enhancing Zoom capabilities, and transporting furniture for men returning from incarceration.
• Kenosha Achievement Center : Supporting the Garden Works Program.
• Redeemer Lutheran Church in Milwaukee : Purchasing a new convection oven as part of a kitchen remodel to assist in feeding the community.

Board member Cheryl Hayes reflects on the breadth of the foundation’s impact: “I like to think of how many lives we’ve touched through this foundation.”

Principles That Guide Giving

A cornerstone of the foundation’s operation is its commitment to external support. A key rule, Guttormsen notes, “is that we can’t use these funds for the church’s operating costs. We put that in our bylaws from the start.” This principle ensures that all resources are directed toward making a difference in the wider community.

The foundation’s strategy involves investing donations to generate income for grants. While this approach initially faced skepticism—”One of the men said, ‘I hope we’re not putting this money into the stock market, because that’s gambling,'” Guttormsen recalls—it has proven successful in growing the fund’s capacity to give.

Looking Ahead

As the foundation continues its mission, it welcomes both applications for future grants and contributions from those who wish to support its work. Interested parties are encouraged to visit stmaryslutheran.org and click on the Endowment Foundation link for more information.

Making a Difference Together

In a world filled with challenges, St. Mary’s Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and generosity in Kenosha. Through steadfast dedication and community spirit, the foundation not only honors its past but also builds a brighter future for all.