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John C. Lasko Foundation Trust

Annual Giving
$7.0M
Grant Range
$42K - $0.5M
Decision Time
4mo

John C. Lasko Foundation Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,997,196 (2023); $7,673,076 (2024)
  • Total Assets: ~$129.5 million
  • Grant Range: $41,663 - $1,541,471 (up to $500,000 cap per grant)
  • Number of Grants: 15-18 per year
  • Decision Time: ~4 months (September 30 deadline, January 31 notification)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (nationwide)
  • Application Type: Two-phase competitive process with fixed annual deadline

Contact Details

Overview

The John C. Lasko Foundation Trust was established in 2009 as the philanthropic legacy of John C. Lasko (1920-2011), founder of Republic Tool and Die in Belleville, Michigan, which grew to become the largest privately owned tool and die company in North America. The Trust holds approximately $129.5 million in assets and distributes nearly $7 million annually in grants. The foundation's mission is singular and explicit: "to build churches that will last forever and will never deviate or change from God's mission." It is co-administered by Bank of America, N.A. and individual trustee Sean H. Cook. This is a highly specialized funder focusing exclusively on church sanctuary construction, making approximately 15-18 grants per year to churches across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Program

Church Sanctuary Construction Grants: Up to $500,000 per award

  • Grants are exclusively for the construction of worship space, defined as the sanctuary portion of the church building
  • Funding is calculated based on the proportion of the building dedicated to sanctuary space
  • Grants are capped at 50% of total project cost

Priority Areas

  • New church sanctuary construction
  • Christian worship space that will "last forever"
  • Churches with clear, mission-focused purpose

What They Don't Fund

  • Fellowship halls, classrooms, offices, kitchens, or baptisteries
  • Debt repayment or refinancing
  • Renovation or restoration projects (focus is on new construction)
  • Individual applicants or endowments
  • Travel, publications, or audiovisual programs
  • Annual fundraising or membership drives
  • Government staff positions (except public schools)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Bank of America, N.A. - Co-Trustee (2024 compensation: $690,115)
  • Sean H. Cook - Co-Trustee (2024 compensation: $104,413)

Founder's Vision

Mr. John C. Lasko was a devout Christian who wanted his legacy to ensure permanent places of worship throughout the United States. The foundation explicitly states its purpose is to build churches "that will last forever and will never deviate or change from God's mission."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a competitive two-phase application process administered through Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions.

Phase 1 (Online Application)

  • Submit online application by September 30
  • Initial screening by trustees
  • Late applications are not considered until the next grant cycle

Phase 2 (Invited Applicants Only)

  • Selected applicants receive invitation to submit full proposal
  • Physical hard copy required following specific guidelines provided to invitees
  • Due by November 30

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Land Ownership: Applicant church must own the land where construction will occur
  2. Matching Funds: Church must be able to fund at least 50% of total project cost
  3. Christian Worship: Project must be for Christian worship sanctuary
  4. New Construction: Focus is on building new sanctuary space

Decision Timeline

  • Phase 1 Deadline: September 30
  • Phase 2 Deadline: November 30 (invited applicants only)
  • Decision Notification: By January 31 of the following year
  • Cycle: Annual (approximately 4-month process)

Success Rates

With 15-18 awards made per year from an unknown number of applications, the foundation is selective. The specialized nature of the funding (exclusively sanctuary construction) means the applicant pool is more focused than general foundations.

Reapplication Policy

Churches whose Phase 1 applications are submitted late are automatically deferred to the next grant cycle. No specific restrictions on reapplication were documented.

Recent Grant Examples (2023)

  • Bethel Baptist Church (Georgia): $1,296,091
  • Hope Fellowship (Georgia): $521,845
  • Basswood Church (Tennessee): $400,080

Geographic distribution includes grants to churches in Missouri, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Application Success Factors

Grant Calculation Formula

Understanding how grant amounts are calculated is critical:

  • Maximum grant: Lesser of $500,000 OR 50% of total project cost OR proportional sanctuary share
  • Example: A $1 million project with 6,000 sq ft sanctuary space out of 10,000 sq ft total = maximum $500,000 (50% of cost)
  • Example: A $1 million project with 3,000 sq ft sanctuary out of 10,000 sq ft total = maximum $300,000 (30% proportional share)

What Makes Applications Strong

  1. Clear Mission Alignment: Articulate how your sanctuary will fulfill the founder's vision of a church that "will last forever and never deviate from God's mission"
  2. Financial Readiness: Demonstrate ability to fund 50%+ of project costs with secured financing
  3. Defined Purpose: The foundation emphasizes having a strong "WHY statement" - clearly define your need and purpose
  4. Construction-Ready: This grant is designed for churches ready to take a "bold step forward" - have architectural plans and timeline ready
  5. Sanctuary Focus: Clearly distinguish sanctuary space from other building areas in plans and budget
  6. Land Ownership: Title to property must be clear and in church's name

Application Tips

  • Read guidelines carefully and ensure all submission materials reflect the mission-focused, construction-specific purpose
  • Calculate sanctuary square footage precisely as this directly affects maximum grant amount
  • Prepare detailed construction budget separating sanctuary costs from other building components
  • Have financing documentation ready to demonstrate ability to provide matching funds

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Highly Specialized Funder: This is exclusively for new Christian church sanctuary construction - no other uses qualify
  2. Significant Funding Available: Grants up to $500,000 with recent awards ranging from ~$42,000 to over $1.5 million
  3. 50% Match Required: Churches must independently fund at least half the project cost
  4. Land Ownership Mandatory: You cannot apply without owning the construction site
  5. Annual Cycle: Single September 30 deadline with decisions by January 31 - no rolling applications
  6. Two-Phase Process: Not all Phase 1 applicants proceed to Phase 2; only invited churches submit full proposals
  7. Nationwide Reach: Churches anywhere in the United States are eligible
  8. Calculate Carefully: Grant amounts are proportional to sanctuary square footage - maximize this space in your design

References

Information compiled December 2025

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