History, Mission, Vision & Core Values

 

History
An association of Lutheran Churches of the Missouri Synod (Lutheran Charities Association) opened a hospital on December 1, 1858. From its earliest days, Lutheran Charities Association recognized the guiding hand of a gracious God as it undertook its healing ministry. In 1984, an endowment was created with the proceeds from the sale of the Lutheran Medical Center. Today that endowment is managed by Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis.

Mission
To the honor of Christ Jesus, the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis seeks the improved care of people in the greater St. Louis metropolitan region.

Vision
Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis sees the Church brought into the lives of hurting people and people included in the healing life of the Church.

Core Belief
Faith in Christ Jesus, provided by God’s Holy Spirit, produces caring and giving, wholeness and healing.

Core Values
Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis holds the following values regarding our philanthropic efforts:

  • Connection to Faith – Christ calls us as Christians to “show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words. This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and how we will be reassured in His presence” (I John 3:18-19). To this end, Lutheran Foundation favors those requests that demonstrate the following (listed in ranked order):
    • Services are initiated by Lutheran congregations or Lutheran service organizations.
    • Services are initiated by Christian congregations or faith-based organizations.
    • Lutheran or other Christian volunteers are engaged in addressing community needs and faith is an important element of the program/service.
    • Lutherans or other Christians are involved as staff, Board members, and/or volunteers.
  • St. Louis-based – Lutheran Foundation funds projects which take place in the St. Louis region, with an emphasis on the following counties (listed in ranked order):
    • St. Louis City or County (where our Member congregations are located)
    • Counties of St. Charles, Jefferson, St. Clair, or Madison
    • Counties of Lincoln, Warren, Franklin, Monroe, or Jersey
  • Community need – Lutheran Foundation seeks to support services that address a clear, measurable, and documented community need.
  • Collaboration – Lutheran Foundation encourages congregations and organizations to work together to address complex community issues and favors those requests when such collaborative efforts are present.
  • Measurable outcomes – Lutheran Foundation supports efforts that have clearly defined objectives and measurable outcomes that address demonstrated community needs.