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Attend a Gift Planning Training Event

The LCMS Foundation offers training and further education to its members, congregations, and ministry partners—including schools, universities, seminaries, recognized service organizations, and Synod organizations.

Learn more here about how you can join us for a free workshop or webinar, find online resources, or attend one of our face-to-face training courses.

We offer two types of training courses: ministry partner training and advocate training.

Our ministry partner training is aimed at development professionals working for LCMS organizations and congregations who are looking to increase their knowledge of gift planning and integrate planned giving into their overall development programs. Course content focuses on best practices for surfacing potential planned gifts, developing awareness of present day and future planned gift options, implementing strategies for stewarding planned gifts, and understanding how the LCMS Foundation can assist ministries in the gift planning process.

Our advocate training is aimed at pastors, school administrators, staff, and lay leadership, and is intended to help ministry leaders understand the value of gift planning and endowment development. Ministry leaders will learn how they can promote gift planning in their ministry, steward gifts as they are created, and partner with and refer potential donors to the LCMS Foundation. Participants will receive access to resources to assist them in becoming “advocates” for gift planning at their ministries.

Upcoming trainings

 

Ministry Advocate Training

February 27, 2025  I  Washington, DC Metro - Register Today!

May 15, 2025  I  Antigo, Wisconsin - Register Today! 

 

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Rev. Phil Krupski presenting to class.
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Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed. Proverbs 15:22
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My Ministry Should Start a Program

Starting a gift planning program in your ministry can be simple and the rewards great. We have partnerships with dozens of LCMS congregations, schools, RSOs and even our seminaries. Each year these partnerships result in $125 to $150 million in future planned gifts for LCMS organizations.

 

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The Benefits of Gift Planning for Ministries

There are many benefits to having a gift planning program, but for ministries, the most measurable is often the generosity of the gifts their members create. Most basic partnerships with the Foundation lead to about 10 gift plans in the first year, with an average gift in the $250,000 range.

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Creating Support for Gift Planning

Like most ministry initiatives, success depends on having an organized effort, led by dedicated champions who inspire others to join them. Our approach will help you build support, internally, for the program, while being adaptable to your culture and needs.

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Testimonials

Contact Us

If you're a ministry leader, current donor or account holder, or if you're new to the LCMS Foundation and would like more information, we'd love to hear from you. Please use the "I have a question or comment about" drop-down field below to get your comment to the correct person or department faster.