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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 100

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

100

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

The new plan is aspirational while tracking quantitative KPIs.
The KPIs are aligned to five strategic focus areas, or the “Five P’s”
(People, Partnerships, Platforms, Products, and Profitability). We
measure what matters. That begins with new global ends policies
adopted by the board.
LCEF exists so that financial resources and related services are
available within and beyond the Synod. This occurs when investors
receive a reasonable rate of return and borrowers pay a reasonable
rate of interest; when related services foster ministry, innovation
and growth; and when customer satisfaction is a priority.
LCEF exists so that ministries grow through existing and new
partnerships. This occurs when collaborative relationships align
with our strategic goals.
From these, the rest of the plan aligns, ultimately cascading
down through corporate, division, and individual goals that come
alive in the annual Ministry and Business Plan.
This plan will direct our work over the next three years. We will
align resources to achieve the success the Synod expects from its
extension fund. While having a plan is crucial, our promise is even
more important. The promise is LCEF will be here today and in the
future. We will be here providing faith-driven financial solutions to
strengthen ministries and advance mission-driven projects. We will
support the growing needs of the Church. As those needs change,
so will we—financial and strategic partnerships, together in faith.

Supporting the Work of the Synod
Over the triennium, LCEF continued to find ways to support
the mission priorities of the Synod, including the introduction of
Real Estate Solutions (RES) as well as the Church Worker Loan
Pool (CWLP). LCEF’s RES assists LCMS congregations, schools,
districts and RSOs with their real estate strategy to foster ministry
by meeting human need and enhancing communities while creating
alternative sources of revenue to support ministry. With the exceptional work of the RES team, LCMS land and assets are staying
within the LCMS, allowing for further growth and spread of the
Gospel.
RES assists congregations, schools, districts and RSOs by creating campus planning strategies, growing ministry through excess
real estate while creating alternative sources of revenue, creating
school and church expansion feasibility studies, providing owner’s
representation and consulting services for construction projects,
consulting with highest and best use studies on surplus properties,
assisting in developing deferred maintenance plans, and providing
site selection and other real estate brokerage services.

opinion of LCEF management, the portion paid by LCEF will not
materially adversely affect the continued operations of LCEF or its
ability, in the ordinary course of its business, to timely meet any of
its debts and obligations, including the notes.
Bart Day, President and CEO
R18

LCMS Foundation
The LCMS Foundation was created in 1958 by the Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to assist Synod members in the creation
of charitable estate plans, to accept noncash gifts on behalf of Synod organizations, and to help Synod ministries invest the assets they
possess, whether received as estate gifts or through other sources.
We celebrate the generosity of God’s people in supporting the
work of His Church and ask the Lord’s continued blessing on our
humble efforts that, through His blessing and guidance, the successful performance of our tasks will help bring glory to His name.

Gift Planning
During fiscal years 2023–25, the LCMS Foundation distributed
more than 9,200 gifts totaling $142.5 million to several thousand
Synod organizations. These organizations include our congregations and schools, seminaries, districts, and ministries providing
missionary support, rural and urban outreach, housing assistance,
and much more.
The gifts the Foundation distributes are a result of the joyful response to God’s love found in the hearts of individuals in our Synod
community. These are primarily planned gifts such as endowments,
donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, etc., administered by the
Foundation and distributed to ministry after the donor was called
to their heavenly home.
To carry out this work, 20 gift planning counselors are located across the United States. They assist individuals and families in
creating comprehensive estate plans to support family and ministry
with the very best gifts.
Over the past three years, God truly blessed the work of these 20
gift planning counselors; they helped donors create new gift plans
(comprised mostly of future, “planned gifts” to ministry, but also
often including immediate gifts as well) totaling more than $459
million.

Transfer the Blessings

Investments and donations are accepted to allow church workers to focus on their calling to preach, teach, and serve with their
whole hearts. Together in faith, we’re making a lasting impact on
the lives of those who serve Him.

Transfer the Blessings, the Foundation’s gift planning ministry
to LCMS congregations, continues to demonstrate its value in assisting LCMS donors in creating their Lifetime Plan for Giving. The
ministry pairs a Foundation gift planning counselor with a congregation to work directly and intentionally with members in establishing their charitable Christian estate plans. Transfer the Blessings
builds upon the relationship members have with their congregations to produce a broader approach to giving that provides resources to the church beyond weekly offerings.

HotChalk, Inc. Litigation Update

Investment Services

On Sept. 19, 2025, LCEF executed a settlement with plaintiff
HotChalk, Inc. and other parties by which HotChalk agreed, upon
payment of an agreed settlement amount, to execute a release of
all claims against LCEF, after which the lawsuit was dismissed.
The settlement amount is required to remain confidential, but in the

Ministries that receive significant gifts from donors or that already possess sizable assets can benefit by working with the Foundation to invest those gifts for future growth. The Foundation presently manages $1.6 billion in investment and trust assets on behalf
of more than 650 Synod organizations.

At LCEF, we’re committed to supporting those who dedicate
their lives to serving the Church. The CWLP provides affordable
loans, giving LCMS church workers opportunities like homeownership and debt consolidation while easing financial stress.

2026 Convention Workbook