Lutheran Development Society of Sacramento

History of the Lutheran Development Society of Sacramento

In 1945 Lutheran Churches in the Greater Sacramento Area formed "The Lutheran Welfare Council" to assist the low income, the poor, and the aged in our community. This evolved into the "Lutheran Development Society of Sacramento" (LDSS.)

A home was acquired at 2030 23rd Street, Sacramento, from Dr. Oscar Johnson. For over 45 years it was operated under the name of "Pleasant Ridge".

The home was operated primarily through volunteers. They were able to assist the elderly and low income until new laws required many upgrades and it was no longer economically feasible to continue. The home was sold in the early 2000. The proceeds went into a new trust fund known as "The Lutheran Development Society of Sacramento Trust Fund".

Fund Disbursement

LDSS provides grants to member churches. These grants are awarded to projects sponsored by Lutheran congregations for innovative approaches in utilizing resources making a difference in the Sacramento region.

Applications for grants are solicited annually from LDSS member churches in good standing and their allied partners for specific ministry and outreach projects.

The grants awarded range from a minimum of $1,000.00, and cannot exceed $25,000.000. The grant applications are mailed each fall to member churches. The completed applications must be returned by certified mail between the dates of January 1 and February 15 of the following year. The applications are then reviewed to insure compliance by the Board of Trustees.

Helpful Hints for Requesting Grants

• Individual congregation or clusters of two or more congregations (and affiliated organizations) collaborating equally on a project.
• Organizations affiliated with member congregations, including social ministry, educational programs, and outdoor ministry organizations having 501(c)(3) status.
• Applicants must have budgetary accounts separate from the sponsoring entity.
• Programs or operational endeavors that seek to establish, enhance, or improve the sharing and spreading of God's Word in the community.
• Applicants who seek to strengthen or expand programs with demonstrated success meeting needs of the community at large.
• Activities or programs promoting Lutheran involvement in community welfare work.
• Activities or programs that develop, advance, and promote community resources for the enrichment of life for families or individuals.
• Activities or programs providing or enhancing a spiritual ministry in institutions serving the physical and emotional needs of the community.

• Establishing new congregations.
• Capital improvements to real estate of any entity.
• Administrative or overhead expenses (i.e. administrative salaries, books, supplies, etc..) not related to operations of the specific program.
• Activities requiring LDSS involvement in planning, developing, financing, or operating projects or programs.
• Individuals.
• Foundations or other re-granting organizations.
• Member congregations which have been awarded a three year continued funding grant will be ineligible for any grant money for the same project or program for a period of three years after the continued funding period has concluded.

• Is the program innovative and creative, and will it make a difference in the community?
• Is the purpose or goal of the project clearly stated, a specific need addressed, and the target audience clearly defined?
• Is there a clear and detailed budget, including expenses and sources of revenue?
• Is there a plan or method identified for evaluating project effectiveness and measuring progress toward accomplishing goals, and is it clearly stated?
• Is this a collaborative project? If so, are all partners listed in the application?
• Is the requesting organization going to provide any matching funding?
• Grants awarded providing for funding over a multi-year period are contingent on acceptable reports from recipients detailing utilization of funds and progress toward project goals. Such reports to the LDSS will be due March 1st of the calendar year for which continuing funding is expected.

Would you like to learn more about LDSS?

Church Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________  State: ___________________  Zip: __________

Pastors Name: __________________________________________________________________

Contact (if different than Pastor): ____________________________________________

Contact's Telephone #: _________________________________________________________

Call: Jim Connick at 209-745-9365 or send an e-mail request.