Hurry! Letters of Inquiry are due July 2, 2025!

ELCA World Hunger gives thanks for the 147 domestic ministries that will be putting $1,533,936 to work through ELCA World Hunger grants domestically in 2024:

• 46 ministries across this church have been awarded 2024 Domestic Hunger Grants for a total 3- year (2024-2026) investment of $1,279,590 with an average 3-year award of $9,272 per ministry(*).
• 52 ministries awarded 2023 Domestic Hunger Grants and 37 ministries awarded 2022 Domestic Hunger Grants will receive continued funding in 2024 for a total investment of $1,233,936 in ministry through Domestic Hunger Grants.
• Big Dreams don’t happen overnight or in a year, so in a move toward more sustainable funding for our partners we are extending the awards for up to three years, depending on the needs of the ministry, and to match our Domestic Hunger Grant model. The 12 original 2022 Big Dream Grant partners are designated with a (†). Our total three-year investment will be $1,948,144.

Prior to submitting a full grant proposal, grant applicants are asked to fill out a letter of inquiry (LOI) which briefly describes the project proposal. Registering on our granting portal, ELCA GrantMaker, is not required at this step. LOI Link.

Our DHG application Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. CST will offer more information about the process. We will review granting priorities and the grant application process, how to submit an LOI, and answer questions from grant applicants. To join us for this virtual event, please register here. Participants will be provided with a link once registered. The webinar will be recorded and accessible via the Domestic Hunger Grant FAQ page.

The Domestic Hunger Grant application for 2026 awards opens April 23, and we look forward to your collaboration in promoting the opportunity to ministries! Please refer to the new application cycle below and spread the word.

How to Apply (Ingles y español)

Application Timeline

• Informational webinar for prospective applicants: May 1, 2025, at 2:00pm Central time
• Letter of inquiry form open: April 23–July 2, 2025
• Letter of inquiry review: July 10–September 10, 2025
• Response to the letter of inquiry (decline or accept): October 3, 2025
• Invited applicants to complete grant application in ELCA GrantMaker: October–December 2025
• Review and communication between ELCA World Hunger staff and grant applicants on proposal: October–December 2025
• Award notifications shared with applicants: January 2026
• 2026 Domestic Hunger Grants start date: March 1, 2026

Let us not succumb to the divisiveness of our world but rather join together to fight the great injustice that is having some of us fed and others who are not. Thank you for your creative, courageous work toward a just world where all are fed. If you have any questions, please contact us at hunger@ELCA.org

Dear partners and friends of ELCA World Hunger, 
 
Applications for ELCA World Hunger’s 2026 Domestic Hunger Grants are open! To learn more about submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), grant partnership eligibility, and our granting priorities, please visit our Domestic Hunger Grants website.

Now accepting applications: The 2025 Manna Grant offers up to $20,000 in total funding to Grand Canyon Synod ministries that address hunger and its root causes. Projects must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive leadership. Apply by July 31. Made possible through a legacy gift from Orpha Hoganson of Ascension Lutheran, this grant continues her mission to combat hunger with love and equity.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Manna Grant, with $20,000 in total funding available to support projects that alleviate hunger in the Grand Canyon Synod. The deadline to apply is midnight on July 31, 2025. Learn more and apply here.

Grants will be awarded to ministries that not only provide direct hunger relief, but also address at least one root cause of hunger—including poverty, employment instability, medical access, childcare, education, systemic inequity, and more. Projects must also show a commitment to diversity and inclusivity in leadership and decision-making.

Eligible applicants include:

• All organized congregations of the Grand Canyon Synod
• Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs)
• Special ministries
• New starts and mission developments

Completed applications must be emailed to office@gcsynod.org no later than midnight on July 31, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

For questions, contact Theresa Thornburgh at 602-957-3223 or office@gcsynod.org.

A LEGACY THAT NOURISHES

The Manna Grant is made possible by a generous legacy gift from Orpha Hoganson, a lifelong member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley. Orpha was a school librarian and Sunday School volunteer who carried a deep compassion for children and for communities affected by hunger.

In her younger years, Orpha traveled by commercial freighter to see the world—often without knowing where she’d land. Her journeys opened her eyes to global poverty and deepened her call to make a difference. She gave to medical ministries abroad and, upon her death, left $180,000 to Ascension Lutheran Church to support local and global hunger efforts.

After two decades of careful stewardship, the congregation chose to channel Orpha’s vision into action through the creation of the Manna Grant—multiplying her generosity into future acts of love and justice.

Let us honor Orpha’s witness by continuing the work of feeding, healing, and empowering communities across our synod.

The Grand Canyon Synod!

As part of the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge across the synods of Region 2, 547 individuals from 102 congregations pledged to participate in daily devotions, dedicate time and focus to water as a precious resource, and/or donate to Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) for the benefit of water projects at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ and across the ELCA.

Region 2 raised $30,564 for water projects at NELM through Lutheran Disaster Response. An additional $25,961 was given in recognition of the Region 2 Lenten Challenge to various ministries including ELCA World Hunger, designated disasters such as US Wildfires, Hurricane Response, Middle East Crisis, and Where Needed Most. Thank you!

In a true testament to the Grand Canyon Synod’s solidarity and generosity, the extraordinary teamwork of its Hunger Leaders Network, the commitment of our Bishop Deborah Hutterer, and so many individuals who took this challenge to their congregations week after week, the Grand Canyon Synod won the challenge with 407 participants. The top 3 congregations with the most participants were in the Grand Canyon Synod, and 13 congregations in the GCS had 10 or more participants. 51 congregations in the Grand Canyon Synod participated with at least one person signing on.

A video from Bishop David Nagler (Sierra Pacific Synod), congratulating the GCS on its well-earned victory, was played during the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly.

Honorable Mention

The following congregations and individuals deserve a serious shout out and our heartfelt gratitude:

• Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ — With 60, they take the prize for the most participants from one congregation!
• Peace Lutheran Church, Peoria, AZ — with 42 participants, were next in line.
• Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa, AZ — With 41 participants, our Mesa friends placed third.
• Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Carefree, AZ — With 40, they were too close to third not to mention!
• Desert Hills Lutheran Church, Green Valley, AZ — The Grand Canyon Synod led Region 2 in giving, and Desert Hills’ creative promotion of the Challenge and generous gifts led the synod.
• Pastor Bill Dohle — Pastor Bill wrote the 47 thought-provoking devotions on the theme, A Watered Garden, based on Isaiah 58:11. 534 individuals subscribed to receive the daily devotions online.
• Bishop Deborah Hutterer — Bishop Hutterer filmed a short video in support of the Challenge
• The GCS Hunger Leaders Network — The 90 members of our synod’s hunger network promoted the Challenge in their congregations with passion and energy.**
• The Region 2 Synods — The Sierra Pacific, Pacifica, Southwest California and Rocky Mountain Synods deserve a hand for helping to plan the event from the ground up, and for joining with the Grand Canyon Synod in the Lenten Challenge. We gratefully acknowledge everyone’s participation. It’s not a challenge without them, and it’s not nearly as fun, either.

Did you know the Grand Canyon Synod has a Hunger Leaders Network? The goal is 1 hunger liaison in every congregation. Interested? Learn what that’s all about.

On behalf of the GCS Hunger Leaders Network, we thank every individual and every congregation that participated, prayed, gave money, promoted the challenge and engaged in individual and group activities centered around water as a precious resource.

Hunger advocates from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 10-11 to celebrate Bread for the World’s 50th Anniversary, and participate in the 2025 Bread for the World Advocacy Summit. LAMA director Solveig Muus joined colleagues for the two days of worship, training, strategy, fellowship and advocacy on Capitol Hill. Read about it here.

Work experience, faith-centered advocacy and opportunity for discernment and networking come together in ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowships, and we’re hiring for the 2025-26 cycle starting Sept. in California, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.! Apply using the QR code or the button below.