Eastern North Dakota Synod | Endowment Funds

eastern north dakota synod endowment

The Eastern North Dakota Synod Endowment consists of six endowment funds: Sustaining Endowment Fund, Vital Leaders Endowment Fund, Native American Ministry Endowment Fund, Resurrection Endowment Fund, Holy Innovations Endowment Fund, and Campus Ministry Endowment Fund. Investment in these endowment funds supports the mission and ministry of congregations, the synod, and ministry partners, as well as providing robust accompaniment for rostered ministers. The Eastern North Dakota Synod Endowment Funds will ensure robust and thriving ministry for generations to come. Any undesignated gifts to the Eastern North Dakota Synod Endowment will be directed to the Sustaining Endowment Fund.

Click on each of the endowment funds in the drop down menu below to learn more about the purpose of each fund.

Gifts to the Eastern North Dakota Synod Sustaining Endowment Fund will support the synod mission plan. The synod mission plan supports the work of accompanying congregations in transition, equipping new leaders, congregational vitality, faith formation, and other ministry that is the particular responsibility of the synod. Full funding of this endowment would provide for administrative and programmatic costs of the Office of the Bishop, freeing mission funds to be shared with ministry partners around the synod and across the church. All undesignated gifts to the Eastern North Dakota Synod Endowment will be directed to this fund.
The Vital Leaders Endowment Fund is celebrated as the first endowment fund of the Eastern North Dakota Synod. The vision, legacy, and success of this endowment spurred the generosity and formation of the other endowment funds now in place.

The purpose of the Vital Leaders Endowment Fund is to sustain rural ministry and enhance the quality of leadership for our pastors and deacons. This fund supports ministry in five areas.
Scholarship Aid for Seminarians
Student Loan Repayment Aid
Pension Equity Grants
Support for Rural Internships
Leadership Development
There are two grants available for rostered ministers through the Vital Leaders Endowment Fund: the Pension Equity Grant and the Debt Reduction Grant. Download this PDF to learn more about grant eligibility and how to apply. Please contact endowment@eandsynod.org with questions.
For generations, indigenous peoples have cared for the land and carried forth our Gospel witness across the synod. Ministry among our Native siblings is a vital part of the mission and witness of the Gospel in the Eastern North Dakota Synod. The Native American Ministry Endowment will ensure sustained, robust synod funding for existing Native American Ministries in the synod and will provide support for emerging ministries in the future.

The Eastern North Dakota Synod currently partners with two Native ministries: Dacotah Oyate Lutheran Church on the Spirit Lake Nation and The Way in Fargo.
In the book of Acts Jesus charges his disciples: “And you shall be my witnesses.” It continues to be the church’s charge to attend to where new opportunities and needs arise for our ELCA witness to the gospel in the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Disbursements from the Resurrection Endowment will support new and renewing ministry initiatives across the Eastern North Dakota Synod.

We give thanks for congregations who shared gifts to begin this fund as part of their closing legacy: United Lutheran Church Brocket, St. Luke Lutheran Church Streeter, Calvary Lutheran Church Hankinson, and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Grafton. Their generosity and legacy will provide new life and ministry in new places across the synod.
In our ever-changing world, it is critical the congregations and ministries of Eastern North Dakota Synod are inspired to think creatively about how to share God’s love and grace in the 21st century. The Holy Innovations Endowment will encourage ministry vitality and inspire congregations and ministries to think boldly and innovatively about being the church in the world today. Grants from this endowment will support innovation and experimentation in congregations and ministries.

There are two grants currently available through the Holy Innovations Endowment Fund: Mustard Seed Grants and Inspire Grants. Download this PDF to learn more about grant eligibility.

The submission window for Holy Innovation Grants has closed (June 1- July 30.)

2024 RECIPIENTS:
St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo: Food Truck Night
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo: Neighborhood Block Party
Washington/Northwood Parish: Harvest Blessings/Meal Delivery
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Thompson: Dinner Church
Red Willow Bible Camp: Twice Blessed Thrift Store
We give thanks for the leadership and long legacy of our campus ministries! Ministry with young adults is a vital part of our mission and witness to the Gospel in the Eastern North Dakota Synod. The Campus Ministry Endowment will ensure sustained, robust synod funding for existing Campus Ministries in the synod and will provide support for emerging ministries in the future.

The Eastern North Dakota Synod currently partners with two campus ministries: Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry at NDSU and Christus Rex at UND.

give to the endowment fund

Give By Check:

Checks may be remitted to the Eastern North Dakota Synod, with the specific fund listed in the memo line:

Eastern North Dakota Synod
PO Box 2019
Fargo, ND 58107

Vital Leaders endowment history

The Vital Leaders Endowment Fund was established in 2000 to help sustain rural ministry and enhance the quality of leadership for our pastors and deacons in the EaND Synod. After receiving a lead gift of $600,000 several other significant gifts of $5,000 to $100,000 helped launch the effort. Currently, the EaND Synod Vital Leaders Endowment Fund carries a balance of approximately $4,200,000. These funds have served the rostered leaders of the synod well. Over the course of the past twenty-three years, roughly $2,385,000 has been given in support of rostered ministry in our synod. The forward-thinking vision of leaders across the synod helped bring this Fund to reality twenty-three years ago.

As the Eastern North Dakota Synod, we celebrate the success of this initial endowment and the ministry it has strengthened. We strive to continue this legacy of forward-thinking vision for the sake of the flourishing of the Gospel today and well into the future. Toward this end, additional endowment funds have been created for the sake of mission and ministry across the synod. We hope you will join us in supporting these funds as we support ministry today and for generations to come.