Overview

Goal: To support the successful social reintegration of prisoners/ex-offenders by restoring their lives, families and communities, thereby enhancing community stability and public safety.

A recent report from the Urban Institute found that one in 100 Americans is incarcerated. In Missouri, that translates into nearly 33,000 adult inmates at one of 21 prisons, more than 51,000 on probation, and 17,000 on parole. Two-thirds of released prisoners are rearrested within three years of release. Nationally, recidivism rates for ex-offenders are 70 percent. Successful re-entry is obviously an issue of public safety for communities.

Incarceration not only impacts the prisoner or ex-offender, but their child(ren), extended family, and the broader community. Men and women enter U.S. prisons with limited marketable work experience, health-related issues, low education or vocational attainment/skills. When they are released from prison, these challenges affect neighborhoods, families and the community at large.

Lutheran Foundation has identified services to prisoners/ex-offenders and their family as one of our new funding focus areas. Programs that reach out to prisoners, ex-offenders, and/or their families represent an act of service to Jesus Christ. There exists great opportunity to replicate effective programs and, in particular, involve the faith community in the delivery of such services.

We look to accomplish this by supporting services that are:

Comprehensive and collaborative in addressing the complicated and complex needs of the targeted population;
Responsive to cultural and gender differences;
Family-centered or focused;
Evidenced-based/informed and/or utilize best or promising practices.

To learn more about our new strategic funding plan, click here.

Overview Funding Strategy How to Apply Grant Application Resources