Benevolence Committee
Benevolence giving financially supports ministries and programs that further the mission of Grace and the broader mission of the Christian church. Each year, 10% of the congregation’s giving is set aside and distributed to benevolence partners. This means 10% of your gifts are sent to make a difference around the world. It is then used by those organizations to impact the lives of real people – the majority of whom we may never meet. Partnering with ministries and programs around the country and world allows our congregation to impact more lives, and, in sharing the gifts God has first given us, we quickly discover that it is not only other lives that are changed, but, in generous giving, ours as well.
Organizations We Support
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ELCA
“We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. As members of the ELCA, we use our time, talents and resources to do God’s work in the world.”
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Night Ministry
“The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to those who are unhoused or experiencing poverty.”
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Center for Christian Education
“The Center for Christian Education is a place where the people of all ages can learn and experience the love of Christ. We wish to spread the gospel in the post-communist part of the world and to reintroduce a church which is faithful to its calling and relevant in today´s society. We aim to do this via excellent quality education focused on theology, social ministry and mission.”
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New Moms
“New Moms believes in the strength, skills, and potential of young moms.”
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Cabrini Green Legal Aid
“We provide holistic legal services that include social support services and advocacy for individuals and communities negatively impacted by the criminal legal system.”
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Lutheran Child and Family Services
Our mission is “to nurture and strengthen children and families in need.”
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Maywood Fine Arts
“Maywood Fine Arts provides affordable quality arts and fitness education for children and families in Maywood and surrounding communities to enrich and transform their lives.”
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Pangea Educational Development
“We are working towards eliminating learning poverty and building a 100% literate world.”
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Walther Christian Academy
“Walther Christian Academy is a culturally diverse and inclusive Christian middle and high school, rooted in the Lutheran tradition. Walther nurtures and prepares learners to fulfill their unique God-given potential through academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service, leadership and enrichment opportunities.”
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Housing Forward
Our mission is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability.
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Beyond Hunger
“Beyond Hunger’s mission is harnessing the power of communities to end hunger.”
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RefugeeOne
“Creating opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance.”
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A House in Austin
“Our mission is to create holistic programs—in a play and nature based parent-child center—which build responsive relationships to lessen the effects of toxic stress and EMPOWER parents to address the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of their children through the fostering of rich language environments, early literacy skills, and nurturing discipline methods in the home for academic and lifelong success.”
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Cornerstone Academy
“Our mission is to provide a supportive Christian education for students who may benefit from personalized attention as they work toward a high school diploma while developing tools for self-sufficiency and a Christian life ethic.”
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Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
“Responding to the Gospel, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) brings healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities.”
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ELCA Metro Synod
“The mission of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and do justice in Jesus’ name. The Synod Office is here to to assist and empower our congregations and members to live into this mission as the body of Christ in Metropolitan Chicago.”
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Lutheran School of Theology
“The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America forms visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.”
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Concordia University Chicago
“Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.”
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Harmony Community Cares
“The organization is founded on nurturing each and every neighbor by creating an environment where they can be safe, healthy and educated.”
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Serving People with a Mission
“Serving People with a Mission (SPM) is dedicated to creating servant leaders who holistically give back to their communities through service, community engagement, and philanthropy.”
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Hephzibah Children’s Association
“Hephzibah is Oak Park’s oldest social service agency. Our mission is to help children thrive and families flourish through innovative, community-based programs.”
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Lawndale Christian Legal Center
“In four of the most segregated, under-resourced, and heavily policed neighborhoods in Chicago, we’re disrupting the lethal cycle of violence, cultivating restorative justice, and nurturing real change.”
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L’Arche Chicago
“Our mission is to celebrate the unique value of each person and to create lifelong places of belonging through small, residential homes that empower residents to share their gifts with their neighborhood, city, country, and world.”
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Lutheran World Relief
“Affirming God’s love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.”
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Valparaiso University
“Since our University was founded in 1859, Valpo has been dedicated to helping students cast their light around the world.”
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