St. Andrew Lutheran Church distributes financial awards supported by church offerings to deserving organizations building up God’s mission in the local community, around the state of Minnesota, and around the world.
Benevolence Grant Application
Following a principle of tithing 10% of what we receive, the St. Andrew Benevolence Fund supports extraordinary ministries with financial assistance inside or outside the congregation where growth in faith, financial giving and/or Christian service are uniquely encouraged. The Benevolence Fund committee meets quarterly to guide how funds are managed and disbursed. Priority may be placed on member applications.
Benevolence Committee Members: Stefanie Berg, Ross Gilbertson, Richard Hanson, Wayne Jorgenson, Michelle Leisen, Erin Reisdorf, John Stutzman, Pastor Kristin Skare, Pastor Peter Johnson.
Questions about the Benevolence Committee and Fund can be directed to Kim Callahan.
The next Benevolence Fund Application deadline: January 22, 2026:
Benevolence Medical Debt Relief
As a result of St. Andrew’s $8,000 donation to Undue Medical Debt through THEE Alliance in 2024 ($3,000 from the Benevolence Fund and $5,000 from a St. Andrew member’s gift to the Church), nearly 1,000 Minnesota families had a total of $1,218,216 in medical debt extinguished!
Since 2021, St. Andrew has helped 4,400 families by extinguishing over $4 million in medical debt.
This ministry embodies our mission of Living Out Our Faith in Daily Lives. Medical debt was not a choice for families touched by unfortunate circumstances, but forgiveness of that debt is a choice for us.
Thanks to the Benevolence Committee and to all of St. Andrew for this ministry.
Benevolence Fund Celebrates 2025 Award Recipients
In 2024, the Benevolence Fund awarded:
- Mpls Area Synod Mission Support: Supporting work of the synod and ELCA ministries. $35,000
- Church Anew: Nourishing Christian leaders and igniting communities of faith. $15,000
- Forest Hills Elementary: Partnering to support EP educators and students. $1,000
- Loom Hat Knitting: Supplies to knit hats donated to those in need. $500
- Senior Community Services: Supporting home maintenance projects for seniors. $3,000
- Stop the Trafficking 5K: Raising awareness to stop human trafficking. $500
- HandsOn Twin Cities: Making a positive difference through community engagement. $1,000
- CES/Augustana Lutheran Church Community Meals: Support meals and supplies. $3,350
- Global Health Ministries: Delivering medical equipment and supplies throughout the world. $2,5000
- Habitat for Humanity: Building homes for families needing permanent housing. $1,500
- MoveFwd: Meeting the mental health and housing needs of youth. $2,000
- Common Bond: Supporting affordable housing to reduce racial and economic disparities. $2,000
- Lutheran Social Services: Help youth build academic and life skills through STEAM Freedom School. $2,500
- Augustana Lutheran Church: In support of their monthly community meals. $1,350
- Josh Eidam Seminary Scholarship: Seminary education. Up to $15,000
- Nokomis Heights Lutheran: Assistance to support new immigrants in our community. $2,000
- Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO): Providing women educational grants. $500
- PROP: Providing food and housing assistance in our community. $5,000
- Onward Eden Prairie: Aiding young adults experiencing homelessness. $3,000
- NEON: Support for four Neon Nights hosted for the LGBTQ+ community on campus. $2,000
- THEE Alliance: Abolishing medical debt for Minnesotans unable to pay. $5,000
- Eden Prairie Fire: Train a wellness/therapy dog to serve our firefighters. $3,000
- Lutheran Campus Ministry, Twin Cities: Sending students on a Spring Retreat. $5,000
- Seeds of Support Haiti: Assisting our Haitian partners in improvement initiatives. $13,896