VISION

As the baptised people of God, and in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ, Lutheran Charities is a cooperative venture where Lutherans gather their resources to be an effective and meaningful presence within our community, serving our neighbors in need by supporting Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other ministries.

PURPOSE

As a ministry of the Niagara Frontier Conference of the Upstate New York Synod of the ELCA, the purpose of the Lutheran Charities organization is to raise and manage funds in support of Lutheran and other social ministry programs located in Western New York. .

MISSION

To raise, manage and distribute financial support to organizations that provide education, health care and social support to children, youth and adults, the poor and disadvantaged, and those with physical and/or emotional challenges.

Lutheran Charities: A Brief History

Lutheran Charities of WNY is a human service ministry of the Niagara Frontier Conference (NFC) of the Upstate NY synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Lutheran Charities is a mutual expression of our love and concern for our neighbors.  This is accomplished by providing care for people in need and also by giving support to local Lutheran social ministry programs.  Lutheran Charities provides a more visible and viable force within our community in terms of dollar amount as well as program support.

Lutheran Charities was formed at the Fall Assembly of the NFC in 1979 as the successor to the United Lutheran Appeal. As part of this formation process, the Social Agency Advisory Committee (SAAC) was formed to act as a review committee and to make recommendations for grants and other matters of social concern to the NFC. This group unified and coordinated the social ministry efforts of the NFC.

Each agency or group requesting assistance must submit an application to Lutheran Charities on an annual basis.  Financial information as well as programmatic data and the basis for the agency meeting human service needs must be answered.  Recommendations are made to all funding sources, including St. John's Lutheran Home for Children Board of Trustees, The Lutheran Foundation of WNY, The Christ Church Fund and the Redeemer Fund of the synod.

By putting our faith into action and uniting together through Lutheran Charities, we can make a difference. Lutheran Charities…”We Are Family.”