Grant Program Eligibility
Under current WELS CEF policy, eligible WELS mission congregations have the opportunity to access loans and matching grants through WELS CEF. All matching grants are provided through the WELS CEF Grant Program. Gifts, donations and bequests made directly to WELS CEF are the primary sources of income for the Grant Program. Make an online donation (select Church Extension Fund from the dropdown menu). Currently the following types of matching grants are supported by the Grant Program:

4-to-1 Matching Grant for Initial Land Purchase

WELS CEF will provide a 4-to-1 matching grant based on a WELS mission congregation’s 10% down payment for its initial land purchase. The matching grant is capped on the first 5 acres purchased. Any land purchase over 5 acres will result in a prorated grant.

Example 1: WELS mission congregation purchases 5 acres of land for $500,000. WELS mission congregation provides $50,000 (10%) down payment. WELS CEF provides 4-to-1 matching grant of $200,000 (4 x $50,000). WELS CEF provides loan of $250,000 for balance of purchase.

Example 2: WELS mission congregation purchases 6 acres of land for $600,000. $100,000 cost per acre ($600,000 purchase price/6 acres). WELS mission congregation provides $60,000 (10%) down payment on total cost. WELS CEF provides $200,000 prorated matching grant. $100,000 cost per acre x 5 acres cap for matching grant x 10% x 4 = $200,000 grant. WELS CEF provides $340,000 loan for balance.

Who is eligible: WELS mission congregations that are looking to acquire their initial land site and carry a designation within the Mission Development, Mission Partner, or Campus Ministry categories of WELS Home Missions. Contact WELS Home Missions for more eligibility details.

2-to-1 Matching Grant for Facility Construction

WELS CEF will provide a 2-to-1 matching grant on a WELS mission congregation’s 10% down payment for an eligible new facility construction project.  The matching grant is based on 10% down payment of the total project cost and is capped on the first 7,500 square feet of construction. Any facility project over 7,500 square feet will result in a prorated grant.

Example 1: WELS mission congregation has new facility project cost of $750,000 for 7,500 square feet. WELS mission congregation provides $75,000 (10%) down payment on total project cost. WELS CEF provides 2-to-1 matching grant of $150,000 (2 x $75,000). WELS CEF provides $525,000 loan for balance of construction cost.

Example 2: WELS mission congregation has new facility project cost of $1,125,000 for 10,000 square feet. WELS mission congregation provides $112,500 (10%) down payment on total project cost. WELS CEF provides prorated matching grant of $168,750. $1,125,000 project cost/10,500 sq ft = $112.50 cost per square foot. $112.50 cost per sq ft x 7,500 sq ft cap for matching grant x 10% x 2 = $168,750 prorated grant. WELS CEF provides $843,750 loan for balance of construction cost.

Who is eligible: WELS mission congregations that are looking to buy or build a facility and carry a designation within the Mission Development, Mission Partner, Campus Ministry, or Congregation with a WEF unit categories of WELS Home Missions. Contact WELS Home Missions for more eligibility details.