Endowment Fund

The goal of the LWF Endowment Fund is to ensure we can continue the good work the LWF has been doing since it was founded in 1947. The fund was set up in 1999 with a CHF 20 million target set for 2017. By the end of 2021, the value of the fund was CHF 15.’65 million. During the year, contributions to the endowment fund totaled CHF 30’498. In 2022 the fund distributed in total CHF 968’438 to LWF programs.

An independent Board of Trustees manages the fund. Gifts and legacies from individuals, churches and organizations are welcomed.

Children demonstrate hand washing at Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya. Photo: LWF/P. Omagwa

Children demonstrate hand washing at Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya. Photo: LWF/P. Omagwa

Invest in the Future

Chair

  • LINDER, Mr Lars, Church of Sweden (SWEDEN)

Vice-chair

  • WIDJAJA, Mrs Lanny, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Singapore (SINGAPORE)

Members

  • GUMACHEW, Mr Kussie Lemita, The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (ETHIOPIA)
  • MAREK, Mr Adam, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (POLAND)
  • MAYER, Dr Jorg, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brunswick (GERMANY)
  • PYM, Mr Jeff, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (CANADA)
  • WIEDE, Mr Marc Andreas, Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein (SWITZERLAND)

Ex-Officio non-voting members

  • Chair of Finance Committee: RAM, Mr Michael, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (GUYANA)
  • LWF General Secretary: BURGHARDT, Rev. Dr Anne
  • LWF Director of the Department for Planning and Coordination: LÖRINCZ, Mr Szabolcs
  • LWF Head of Finance: KWELU, Mr Leonard
  • It receives and administers gifts, legacies, donations and other contributions
  • It strengthens the financial stability of the LWF
  • It assures a strong future

The Fund’s capital is kept in perpetuity with annual earnings going to designated LWF activities.

  • Advocacy for peace with justice
  • Community development
  • Ecumenical and interfaith relations
  • Holistic mission
  • Human rights
  • Humanitarian assistance
  • Theology

Help ensure that the witness and ministry of the LWF is sustained and expanded for future generations - our family of over 77.8 million people does make a difference!

  • Include the LWF in your church budget
  • Make an offering in your congregation
  • Give a special gift in thanksgiving
  • Remember the LWF in your will
  • Give a gift at the end of the year

1998

  • LWF Council - Geneva, Switzerland, 8-17 June
  • The LWF Council unanimously approved the Statutes and Bylaws for the LWF Foundation ( Endowment Fund ), upon the recommendation of the Program Committee

2001

  • LWF Council - Geneva, Switzerland, 12-19 June
  • Dr Carl-Gustav von Ehrenheim, a former LWF Treasurer, as chairperson of the Board of the LWF Foundation - Endowment Fund presented the Report of the Board of the LWF Foundation - Endowment Fund to the Council.
  • He reported that at present the Endowment Fund was supported by three major sources, i.e., Finland, Germany and Sweden which, to date, have jointly contributed USD 5.3 million. Another major donor, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, had raised USD 400,000 in deferred gifts, with the hope that this amount could be increased to USD 2 million by 2004. An initiative taken by churches in the Asia region to contribute USD 500,000 by 2010 could serve as a model and be seriously considered by member churches in other regions.

2003

  • LWF Council - Winnipeg, Canada, 21 July
  • The revised Principles for the Allocation of Yearly Earnings of the Endowment Fund were approved by the Board.
  • The document entitled “Investment Principles and Guidelines” was approved by the Endowment Fund Board.

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