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, Gail Feneis, Ross Gilbertson, Richard Hanson, Pastor Peter Johnson, Michelle Leisen, Erin Reinsdorf and John Stutzman.
Questions about the Benevolence Committee and Fund can be directed to Kim Callahan.
Benevolence Fund 2025 Application Deadlines:
- February 13, 2025
- April 24, 2025
- August 14, 2025
- November 26, 2025
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 2024 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
- Habitat for Humanity: Building homes for families needing permanent housing. $1,500
- Forest Hills Elementary: Partnering to support EP educators and students. $500
- Seeds of Support Haiti: Assisting our Haitian partners in improvement initiatives. $8,700
- Senior Community Services: Supporting home maintenance projects for seniors. $3,000
- A More Just World: Helping to promote social justice in our community. $2,000
- Stop the Trafficking 5K: Raising awareness to stop human trafficking. $500
- Onward Eden Prairie: Aiding young adults experiencing homelessness. $4,000
- MoveFwd: Meeting the mental health and housing needs of youth. $2,400
- HandsOn Twin Cities: Making a positive difference through community engagement. $1,000
- Eden Prairie Police and Fire: Partnering to support our First Responders. $600
- Cristo Obrero: Building community and sharing the word of God with our Latino neighbors. $1,000
- Meals on Wheels: Providing social connectivity and nutritious meals for seniors. $2,190
- THEE Alliance: Abolishing medical debt for those unable to pay. $8,000
- PROP: Providing food and housing assistance in our community. $5,000
- Seeds of Support Belize: Supporting St. Andrew’s 2025 mission trip initiatives. $6,800