Tools for Thriving

As part of a larger network, each social ministry organization has the opportunity to give and to receive, everything from knowledge and encouragement to procedures and programs. In the midst of expanding and ever-more-complex needs and opportunities, together in LSA we find new efficiencies, new resources and new pathways to make a difference.

Please use the resources below, suggest resources of your own, and share lessons and successes to help Lutheran social ministry thrive.

• Volunteering in America 2009 report from the Corporation for National and Community Service
• LSA 403b Regs Webinar Nov 20 2008 (PDF, 291K)
• Changes to 403(b) Regulations (PDF, 433kb)
• Resilient Philanthropy: How Various Economic Scenarios Affect Giving in the United States
• Basic Guidelines for Financial Management of Faith Based Agencies (PDF, 89kb)
• Connecting Power and Influence With Social Ministry Mission for Win-Win Relationships (PDF, 70kb)
• Emerging Nonprofit Leaders national study of 6,000 emerging leaders in the nonprofit field
• Guide to Successful Media Interviews (PDF, 26kb)
• Income Concentration Data – groundbreaking income inequality report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Joined in Our Calling: People Who Serve, People Who Care (PDF, 308kb)
• Philanthropy 2020 (LSA Conference presentation) – Paul Miles, CCS Fundraising (PDF, 621kb)
• Practical Steps to Cultural Proficiency (PDF, 270kb)
• Strategic Business Modeling – Bridges Planning, Priorities & Programs (PDF, 2.75mb)(LSA Conference presentation) – Karen Porterfield, Seattle University
• Strategic Positioning for a Preferred Future (PDF, 369kb)
• Strategic Positioning: Mind Your Strengths, Focus on the Future (PDF, 217kb)
• Tax Exemption Workshop (online) covers tax compliance issues confronted by small and mid-sized tax exempt organizations – IRS
• Thrive, Survive or Wither? The Future of Nonprofits (LSA Conference presentation) – Stephen Wernet, St. Louis University

Grant and Funding Opportunities

We encourage you to share resources you have found valuable. Please e-mail us with suggestions.

• AmeriCorps state and national grants for community services
• Comcast Foundation funds various literacy and volunteer programs
• Federal grant sources for faith-based organizations
• The Funding Exchange has an Emergency Fund for Seizing Strategic Opportunities when a small amount of money can make a difference in educating or mobilizing for social change
• General Services Administration Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
• GrantCraft offers guides, videos, workshops and other tools with practical wisdom about the field of grantmaking
• Learn and Serve America grants support innovative programs that expand participation in community service and service-learning
• Lutheran Services for the Elderly Endowment
• The Mutual Service Cooperative Fund focuses on program that enhance the quality of life for seniors living in rural America
• The National Credit Union Foundation makes grants available for innovative initiatives to help low-wealth members reach life-changing goals
• Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation
• USDA Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities Grants
• W.T. Grant Foundation grants to improve the settings of youth ages 8 to 25

Websites of Interest

• 15 Most Groundbreaking Management Books from CIO Insight
• Blue Avocado online magazine for people who work and volunteer in community nonprofits
• Form 990 Updates
• Google for Nonprofits website provides information on free Google tools to promote their work, raise money and operate more efficiently
• Independent Sector
• MAP for Nonprofits offers a free management library online
• National Council of Nonprofit Associations – links to many nonprofit web resources
• NonProfit Times – free subscriptions to senior managers