Siebert Lutheran Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $4,497,576 (2023)
Number of Awards: 98 grants (2023); 94 grants (2024)
Decision Time: ~5 business days for LOI response; decisions made in Spring and Fall cycles
Grant Range: Varies by program (Seminary aid capped at $15,000 lifetime per student)
Geographic Focus: Wisconsin (especially Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties) and Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Contact Details

Address: 758 North 27th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Phone: (414) 269-2832
Website: https://www.siebertfoundation.org
Online Grant Portal: https://www.siebertfoundation.org/online-grant-portal

Pre-Application Support:

Michelle Burmeister, Program Director: (414) 269-2835
Contact encouraged for organizations that haven't applied in past three years or submitting for first time

Overview

The Siebert Lutheran Foundation was established by Albert F. Siebert, founder of Milwaukee Electric Tool Company. Born in 1879 to a Lutheran pastor, Siebert started Milwaukee Electric Tool Company in 1924. During the Great Depression, he vowed that if his company survived, he would "designate a large part of it to the work of the Lord." In 1952, he gave his entire interest in the company to God through the Foundation. Upon the Foundation's sale of Milwaukee Electric Tool Company in 1976, it became an independent private foundation supporting Lutheran churches and ministries. The Foundation awards approximately $4-4.5 million annually to Lutheran nonprofits, churches, and schools across three funding priorities. Pan-Lutheran in nature, it accepts funding requests from ministries associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates with three primary funding priorities:

1. Growing the Body of Christ

Geographic scope: Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Invests in Lutheran leaders, ministries, and evangelism
Supports pastoral leadership development, ministry programs, and church growth initiatives

2. Educating While Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Geographic scope: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties only
Funds high-performing Lutheran-affiliated schools and education programs
Provides youth in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities a path to Christ-centered academic success
Recent example: Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School received grants for career readiness programming

3. Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ

Geographic scope: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties only
Supports effective strategies to meet disadvantaged people's basic short-term needs
Creates pathways toward greater self-sufficiency
Includes food pantry programs with Outreach Coordinators

Special Programs:

Seminary Financial Aid: Maximum lifetime amount of $15,000 per student; traditional M.Div. programs no longer eligible; students serving vicarship or internship not eligible
Invitation-Only Grants: Neighborhood Minister, Youth Program, High School Gap Funding, Seminary, and Pastoral Leadership Development grants (do not follow the standard two-step process)

Priority Areas

Lutheran educational institutions (schools, early childhood programs)
Food security and basic needs programs at Lutheran churches
Ministry leadership development
Community revitalization initiatives with faith component
Programs serving socioeconomically disadvantaged communities
Special education and mental health services in Lutheran schools

What They Don't Fund

Non-Lutheran organizations (must be affiliated with ELCA, LCMS, or WELS)
Organizations outside Wisconsin (except Upper Peninsula of Michigan for "Growing the Body of Christ" priority)
Seminary students in traditional M.Div. programs (for seminary aid program)
Students serving vicarship or internship (for seminary aid program)
Organizations may only have one active grant per year (rare exceptions possible)
Capital requests exceeding 10% of project budget
Multi-year grants (limited)

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Charlotte John-Gómez, President & CEO
Charlotte leads the Foundation's mission to advance Lutheran ministries. On the Foundation's work: "Working with the food pantries at the Lutheran churches is a way that we can fulfill Mr. Siebert's legacy... These are ordinary people like you and me, and people who have had some sort of event in their life that triggered the need for food assistance. And no one should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from."

Michelle Burmeister, Program Director (since March 2016)
Phone: (414) 269-2835
Primary contact for grant applications and program consultations

Sarah Gilday, Director of Philanthropy
Recipient of the Scott M. Cutlip Professional Fundraiser Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southeastern Wisconsin

Kalyani Grasso, Director of Communications & Program Officer
Phone: (414) 662-2661
Leads communication strategies and promotes Siebert Serves initiative

Board of Directors

The Foundation is governed by a board of directors under Wisconsin law. Known board members include:

Cathy Jacobson, CEO of Froedtert Health
Additional board members listed on website

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation follows a two-step grant process for most grants (excludes invitation-only programs):

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Select the funding priority most applicable to your program/project
Submit LOI through online portal at specified deadline
Siebert staff review and respond in approximately 5 business days after LOI deadline
Email notification of approval or denial
If approved, receive instructions for full application

Step 2: Full Application

Complete full grant application through online portal if LOI approved
Board of Directors make final funding decisions according to grant cycle schedule

Grant Cycles: Two cycles per calendar year - Spring and Fall (named for when decisions are made, not deadlines)

Special Note: Building-related capital requests exceeding $50,000 are only accepted in the Fall cycle. Capital amount requested should not exceed 10% of project budget.

Pre-Application Consultation: The Foundation strongly encourages consulting with program staff before submitting an LOI, especially if:

Your organization has not submitted an application in the past three years
This is your first time requesting for a specific program

Decision Timeline

LOI Review: Approximately 5 business days after LOI deadline
Final Decisions: Made according to Spring and Fall grant cycle schedule
Notification: Foundation staff advise in writing via email of Board's decision

Success Rates

2023: 98 grants awarded (total applications received not publicly disclosed)
2024: 94 grants awarded
Average grant size: ~$43,500-$47,700 based on total giving divided by grants awarded
Specific success rate percentages not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations are encouraged to consult with program staff regarding reapplication timelines. The Foundation notes that organizations that haven't applied in three years should consult with staff before submitting.

Application Success Factors

Consult with Staff First: The Foundation explicitly invites organizations to consult with program staff (particularly Michelle Burmeister, Program Director) before submitting, especially for new applicants or those who haven't applied recently. This suggests relationship-building and alignment confirmation are valued.

Demonstrate Lutheran Affiliation and Mission Alignment: Projects must be "based in Lutheran churches and organizations" working toward one or more of the three funding priorities. Be explicit about your Lutheran affiliation (ELCA, LCMS, or WELS) and how your project advances Lutheran ministry.

Geographic Specificity: Ensure your organization and project location match the geographic requirements for your chosen funding priority. Educational and service programs have more restrictive geographic requirements (four-county area) than ministry development programs (statewide plus Upper Peninsula Michigan).

One Grant at a Time: Organizations may only have one active Siebert grant per year, so prioritize your most impactful project and ensure previous grants are completed before applying.

Serving Disadvantaged Communities: Recent grants and leadership quotes emphasize serving "socioeconomically disadvantaged communities" and helping those experiencing hardship. Frame your work in terms of meeting basic needs and creating pathways to self-sufficiency.

Collaboration and Relationships: President Charlotte John-Gómez emphasized at the Collaborators' Event: "The Collaborators' Event is a true testament to our mission in action and the shared belief that our community is better when we work collaboratively to invest in our neighbors so they are able to fulfill their full potential." Demonstrate collaborative approaches.

Capital Grant Budgeting: If requesting capital funds, ensure the amount requested does not exceed 10% of total project budget. Building-related requests over $50,000 must be submitted in the Fall cycle.

Recent Funded Projects Include:

Carthage College A.F. Siebert Chapel renovation ($50,000)
St. Marcus Lutheran School special education and mental health programming
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin food pantry programs with Outreach Coordinators
Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School career readiness and community impact programs
Project RETURN reentry support with circles at Hephatha Lutheran Church

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Consult before you apply - The Foundation explicitly encourages pre-application conversations with program staff, particularly for first-time or returning applicants. This is your opportunity to confirm alignment and strengthen your approach.
Lutheran identity matters - Be explicit about your denominational affiliation (ELCA, LCMS, or WELS) and how your project advances Lutheran ministry. This is non-negotiable.
Geography is restrictive - Educational and service programs are limited to four counties (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha), while ministry development programs can serve statewide plus Upper Peninsula Michigan. Know your boundaries.
Focus on disadvantaged communities - The Foundation's leadership consistently emphasizes serving those facing hardship and creating pathways from crisis to self-sufficiency. Frame your impact accordingly.
Quick LOI turnaround - With 5-business-day response times on Letters of Inquiry, you'll know quickly whether to proceed to full application. Use this two-step process to test alignment before investing in a full proposal.
One active grant per organization per year - Strategic timing matters. Complete current grants before applying for new ones, and prioritize your most impactful project when you do apply.
Capital grant constraints - Building projects over $50,000 go to Fall cycle only, and capital requests can't exceed 10% of total project budget. Plan accordingly and be prepared to show broader funding support.

References

Siebert Lutheran Foundation Official Website. "About Us." https://www.siebertfoundation.org/about-us (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Siebert Lutheran Foundation. "Apply for a Grant." https://www.siebertfoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Siebert Lutheran Foundation. "Funding Priorities." https://www.siebertfoundation.org/funding (Accessed January 7, 2026)
GuideStar Profile - Siebert Lutheran Foundation, Inc. EIN 39-6050046. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/39-6050046 (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. "Siebert Lutheran Hits the Nail on the Head." 2024 Annual Report. https://feedingamericawi.org/annualreport2024/siebert_lutheran/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
We Raise Foundation. "We Raise Foundation, in Partnership with Siebert Lutheran Foundation, Awards $300,000 Grant for Career Readiness and Community Revitalization Initiative." May 6, 2025. https://weraise.org/2025/05/06/kingdom-prep-grant/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Carthage College. "Siebert Lutheran Foundation grants $50,000 toward chapel renovation." February 2024. https://www.carthage.edu/live/news/50353-siebert-lutheran-foundation-grants-50000-toward (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper. "Siebert Lutheran Foundation Implements New Approach to Philanthropy in Wisconsin." December 2, 2023. https://milwaukeecourieronline.com/index.php/2023/12/02/siebert-lutheran-foundation-implements-new-approach-to-philanthropy-in-wisconsin/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Spanish Journal Network. "Siebert Lutheran Foundation Implements New Approach to Philanthropy in Wisconsin." https://www.spanishjournal.com/siebert-lutheran-foundation-implements-new-approach-to-philanthropy-in-wisconsin/ (Accessed January 7, 2026)
Foundation Directory Online (Candid). Siebert Lutheran Foundation, Inc. Profile. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=SIEB001 (Accessed January 7, 2026)