Immanuel Vision Foundation

Immanuel Vision Foundation

We believe that we are stronger, together. Through our support, we can create a culture of generosity and love.

Since 2015, the Immanuel Vision Foundation has provided financial support to nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations whose missions align with our own. More specifically, those that:

“Meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of seniors,
respond to needs in community health and support the ministry of the Church.”

The Immanuel Vision Foundation has two annual grant cycles. The spring community grant cycle (February 15 - March 15) is open to any organization that meets the criteria detailed below. Nebraska Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affiliated organizations eligible to apply for the fall church-related grant cycle (August 1 - September 30) are notified via eligibility letter. Please note: congregations of other denominations, churches located outside of the Immanuel Vision Foundation eligibility area and religious nonprofits are ineligible to apply during the fall grant cycle.

Click here to see the 2023 spring community grant recipients.

Click here to see the 2022 fall Synod-related grant recipients.

Grant Applicants

The Immanuel Vision Foundation fall grant cycle is open from August 1 - September 30, 2023. All eligible Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations in Nebraska and select counties in Iowa and Nebraska Synod-affiliated organizations were sent an invitation letter. If you believe your congregation or organization should be eligible to apply and you did not receive a letter - please contact 402.829.6959 or myaeger@immanuel.com.

Immanuel Vision Foundation grant applications must be completed via the online grant portal accessible below. This grant portal allows you to save and return to your application as often as you would like, but the application must be submitted by 11:59 pm on September 30 to be considered for funding. While you may use any browser to complete the application, it is highly recommended that you use Chrome.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

Click here for the fall 2023 ELCA Congregation Application Checklist. 

Need Help?

Questions may be directed to Maggie Yaeger, Grants Coordinator, at 402.829.6959 or myaeger@immanuel.com. 

The Immanuel Vision Foundation seeks to support organizations that:

  • Demonstrate strong leadership, financial stability and consistent planning.
  • Implement innovation and catalytic opportunity.
  • Clearly define objectives and strategic plans. 
  • Have developed additional, reliable sources of funding for the project requested.

Special consideration will be given to the following priority areas:

Seniors
The Foundation supports programs and initiatives that embody the Immanuel vision that “All people will grow and age with dignity, safety and wellness.” Immanuel’s expertise for the health and well-being of seniors, identified as the post-65 age population, make this a particular priority area for Foundation funding.

Community Health
The Foundation supports programs and initiatives that help strengthen and stabilize community growth, health and well-being.

The Church
Grants in this area support ELCA congregations and organizations that reflect a heritage of faith-based service to others. This priority area is funded through the fall grant cycle.

Organizations Seeking Foundation Funding Must Meet the Following Criteria:

  • Organizations may only apply for grant funding if the project benefits people in at least one of the following geographic areas:
    • The state of Nebraska.
    • Select Iowa counties: Boone, Dallas, Harrison, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Story or Warren.
  • The organization must qualify as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit federally tax-exempt organization under the regulations of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
  • Applicants may not apply for more than one grant per calendar year. Applications will not be considered for organizations with an “active” grant. An “active” grant is any grant that has not yet completed the reporting requirements or has been awarded, but not expended.
  • The Immanuel Vision Foundation will give preferential consideration to projects/programs not previously funded by the IVF, but will also consider historically funded projects/programs.
  • Community grants during the spring grant cycle may be submitted as a multi-year (up to three years) grant application. Multi-year grants must be for the same project/program. A subsequent grant application following the closure of a multi-year grant must be for a different project/program. 

Regardless of the grant cycle, the Immanuel Vision Foundation does not support grant requests for:

  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, military service, disability or any other groups protected by law
  • Private foundations or “pass through” organizations
  • Memorial funds or endowments
  • Debt reduction
  • Dinners, tickets, conferences, event sponsorships or annual fund drives/appeals 
  • Social groups or individual participants in those organizations
  • Field trips, tours and conference attendance costs
  • Individual K-12 schools including scholarships, activities, clubs, events, pageants or PTA or PTO
  • Political organizations or projects
  • Direct financial aid to individuals/families 
  • Amateur or professional sports programs of all age groups
  • Animal welfare