PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS

Here are several ways to give and invest to support gospel ministries.

WELS CHURCH EXTENSION FUND

WELS Church Extension Fund provides loans and grants to qualified mission congregations, enabling them to acquire land and build a ministry facility where the gospel can be shared.

WELS Church Extension Fund (CEF) exists to provide loans and grants for mission-minded endeavors and projects that are under the direction of WELS Home Missions. When you invest with Church Extension Fund, you help provide the financing so that congregations can acquire land and build or renovate ministry facilities.

Here are ways you can invest with Church Extension Fund:

Certificates—We offer two types of certificates—investment certificates and savings certificates. The certificates pay interest at rates that are set according to the policies set forth under “Description of Certificates” in our Offering Circular.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a great way to build your retirement. Now you can help build churches while you are managing your retirement savings by investing in a WELS Church Extension Fund Retirement Certificate.

Stamp Program—A great way to involve WELS youth in mission work at an early age.

Individuals can now give to Church Extension Fund online or work with a WELS Christian Giving Counselor to create a planned gift that supports Church Extension Funds involvement with home ministry efforts.

WELS FOUNDATION

WELS Foundation exists to assist God’s people in support of God’s ministry through the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

After the Israelites crossed the River Jordan to enter the Promised Land they set up a stone memorial, so that future generations would know the goodness of God. In the same way, WELS Foundation exists to help members whose gifts leave a monument of their faith that will be a blessing for many years to come.

WELS Foundation was organized for the benefit of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and is guided by the same principles. Christ’s love is what we are all about. By that love we are redeemed and forgiven. His Spirit has made us his own by faith and given us the promise of a relationship with him now and forever in heaven. God has graciously called us to help WELS members and organizations pass on his great love in Jesus to the next generations so they might know and reflect Christ’s love.

By becoming involved with WELS Foundation and making a donation through a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust, a donor advised fund, or other specialized giving instrument, you are creating a lasting legacy of your faith. Giving is an act of worship, another way to offer your Lord a thankful response for his never-failing gifts.

Charitable gifts benefit WELS gospel ministry by providing funds to WELS congregations, mission work, schools, and other ministries. Like the stones placed by the River Jordan, your gifts are a way to share God’s grace with others well after you enter the Promised Land of Heaven.

WELS INVESTMENT FUNDS

WELS Investment Funds offers cost-effective, professionally managed investment portfolios designed exclusively for WELS and its affiliated ministries.

GIFT MATCHING

Thinking about making a donation? Your gift may go even further! Use our matching gift tool to see if your employer offers gift matching and double your impact.

WELS ENDOWMENT FUNDS

An endowment is a permanent fund in which gifts are invested. The income from the fund is then used to meet increasing gospel ministry expenses year after year. WELS has three categories of endowment funds that provide financial support to operating, missions, and ministerial education.