Endowments
Since the founding of Concordia Seminary in 1839, alumni, friends and congregations have provided a means to ensure the mission of the Seminary. Endowment funds provide perpetual funding that sustains our historic excellence. The significance of estate gifts for an endowment is key.
Concordia Seminary is grateful for all of its supporters, many of whom choose to make a gift that establishes a permanent endowment, which generates perpetual earnings and provides for the sustainability of the Seminary’s mission for generations to come. Endowments may be established to honor esteemed pastors, faculty or family members, and to support Seminary operations and programs or provide tuition aid and assistance for students.
The Seminary’s vision is to be the world leader in Lutheran ministerial formation, scholarship and theological resources. In our quest to achieve this vision, the Seminary’s endowment will be strengthened through additional gifts, wise investment policies and the careful stewardship of earnings.
Why give to an endowment?
- Leave a legacy
- Honor or remember a loved one
- Honor or remember a pastor
| FUND | $1-$24,999 | $25K+ | $3.5M+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helping Hands Operational Endowment (Unrestricted) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| The Timothy Project Fund | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Other existing funds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personally named endowments | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Faculty chair endowments | ✓ |
Endowed Faculty Chairs
An endowed chair is one of the highest academic honors that a college, university or seminary can bestow upon a faculty member. It reflects the donor’s desire to continue to see excellence in teaching and research in a specific area.
The Timothy Project Endowment
Thanks to a generous matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., friends and supporters may contribute to The Timothy Project Endowment Fund in support of the goals of the project. Every gift given will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to the first $5 million raised. This is an extraordinary opportunity to double your impact!
The Timothy Project, named for the young pastor mentored by the apostle Paul, is a bold collaboration between Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., aimed at strengthening the recruitment, formation and long-term support of pastors and deaconesses in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
The project has three primary objectives:
- Recruitment of future pastors and deaconesses
- Enhanced pre-seminary, seminary and post-seminary education
- Expanded multiethnic and deaconess ministry
Paul reminded young Timothy that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4 ESV). Through your generous contribution to The Timothy Project Endowment Fund or the establishment of a personally named endowment fund, you can help raise up leaders who will carry the Gospel boldly into congregations and communities at home and around the globe.
Operational Endowments
Donors may choose to establish an endowment to support Seminary operations or may make a gift to existing operational endowments. Distributions from such funds are considered unrestricted income to support the mission of Concordia Seminary and will be used where needed most as determined by the Seminary’s Board of Regents.
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The Rev. Dr. Dale A. and Diane C. Meyer “Helpers of Joy” Operational Endowment
Dr. Dale A. Meyer and his wife, Diane, established The Rev. Dr. Dale A. and Diane C. Meyer “Helpers of Joy” Endowment as a testament to their love for the Seminary. Meyer served as Seminary president from 2005-20. Your gift to this endowment is a tribute to the ministry of Meyers and will ensure that future generations will always have the opportunity to know of their remarkable leadership and loving, servant hearts.
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Helping Hands Operational Endowment
Marilynn Peters, a long-time friend and supporter, established the Helping Hands Operational Endowment to enable people to give endowed gifts at any level. Anyone can contribute to this fund at any time, in any amount.
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Other operational endowments
Donors may choose to make gifts of any size to any of the Seminary’s other established operational endowments. For more information, please contact Seminary Advancement at 800-822-5287 or advancement@csl.edu.
Alumni Endowments
Concordia Seminary is blessed with many class and individual alumni endowments. These gifts are one way alumni demonstrate their support for the mission of Concordia Seminary. Each new class endowment and every single gift added to an established alumni endowment helps the Seminary to better meet the needs of students, church and world.
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John E. Meyer Memorial Alumni Book Endowment Fund
The John E. Meyer Memorial Alumni Book Endowment was established in 1998, after the Seminary’s Alumni Council initiated the endowment to help provide theological study materials for students. The endowment is named for Rev. John E. Meyer, the Seminary’s director of alumni activities from 1996 to 2003.
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Class of ’62/’63 Endowment
This alumni endowment was established on Dec. 15, 2006, as the class gift on behalf of the graduating class of ’62/’63 and the senior college class of ’59. The endowment functions as a student assistance fund. By God’s grace, it will grow and provide further support for a graduate student fellowship, advising or guest professorship and, ultimately, an endowed faculty chair as gifts are added.
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Other alumni endowments
To date, additional alumni-founded endowment funds include:
- Class of 1963 Endowment
- Class of 1981 Financial Aid Endowment Fund
- Class of 1987 Financial Aid Endowment Fund
- Class of 1988 Scholarship Endowment Fund
- Class of 1989 Scholarship Endowment Fund
- Class of 1998 Student Emergency Aid Fund
- Class of 2007 Endowment
- Class of 2008 Alumni Endowment
- Class of 2017 Alumni Endowment
If you would like more information about Endowments, please complete the form below.