Lutheran Schools Fund
Introducing The Lutheran Schools Fund
Ensuring Access to Lutheran Education in St. Louis
The Lutheran Schools Fund is the foundation for strengthening Lutheran education throughout the St. Louis region—fueling the mission to serve children and families for years to come. Through community support, endowments, and generous donors, the Fund makes high-quality, faith-based education accessible for hundreds of local students every year.
What The Fund Supports
Your gift to the Lutheran Schools Fund helps build a brighter future for students by supporting excellence in the classroom, teacher growth, innovation, and access for all families.
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General Fund: Supports LESA’s overall mission, allowing flexible funding for urgent needs, strategic opportunities, and school-wide initiatives across member schools. Contributions to the General Fund ensure ongoing operations and address areas where support is needed most.
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Academic Excellence: Funds programs and initiatives that raise instructional quality and foster an environment of high academic achievement. This includes resources for curriculum guides, instructional materials, and educational support systems that benefit all member schools.
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Professional Development: Invests in teachers and school leaders through conferences, workshops, and specialized training events. More than 43,000 hours of ongoing professional development for educators and administrators have been supported, leading to improved classroom instruction and school culture.
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STEM: Expands hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math learning by providing LEGO Education kits, robotics, and teacher training. Over 5,000 hours of STEM education have been delivered to students, strengthening critical thinking and future-ready skills.
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Lutheran Schools Marketing: Increases visibility and enrollment in Lutheran schools through strategic marketing and community engagement. LESA marketing funds have generated millions of media impressions, helping area families discover the value of Lutheran education and making the case for support in a competitive educational landscape. -
Need-Based Tuition Assistance: Offers essential scholarships to families who could not otherwise afford Lutheran education, ensuring access for all children regardless of their financial circumstances. Since 2004, over $8.2 million in tuition assistance has empowered more than 4,600 students to attend Lutheran schools in the St. Louis area.
How It Works
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Donor-Driven: The Fund grows through gifts from individuals, organizations, and matching grants, including opportunities for donors to establish named endowments to honor loved ones and further the cause of Lutheran education.
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All Gifts Matter: Whether through a one-time gift, recurring donation, planned giving, or the creation of an endowment, your gift helps provide scholarships, vital resources, and hope to children and their families.
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Matching Opportunities: There are matching opportunities for your gift ranging from a potential match by your employer to programs like the Lutheran Legacy Foundation Matching Grant that help new endowments grow quickly—expanding the reach and impact of every donor dollar.
Who Benefits?
Hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds experience the difference made by the Lutheran Schools Fund every year. LESA’s network supports 34 Lutheran schools, including award-winning National Blue Ribbon Schools and National Lutheran Schools of Distinction—making it the second largest private school system in the St. Louis bi-state region.
Give Today
Join us as we build strong foundations—academically, spiritually, and for the future of Lutheran schools in our community.
- Give Today: Your donations create opportunities for children across the St. Louis area to learn, grow, and thrive in a nurturing Christian environment. Donate now.
- Recurring Gift: Set up a recurring weekly or monthly donation online to provide steady and reliable support for students throughout the year. Donate now.
- Establish an Endowment: Leave a legacy and make a long-term impact on the future of Lutheran education. Read more.
- Workplace Matching Gift: Many employers match employee charitable donations—ask your payroll manager how you can double your impact with a workplace matching gift.
- IRA Disbursements: Lower your tax bill and help students by gifting all or part of your IRA’s required minimum distribution directly to LESA.
- Donor Advised Fund: Give easily through your donor advised fund—a convenient, tax-deductible, and flexible way to support Lutheran education.
- Legacy Giving: Leave a lasting legacy for future students through gifts of accumulated assets, such as insurance proceeds, annuities, or bequests.
- Appreciated Stock: Avoid capital gains tax and maximize your contribution by donating appreciated stock, bonds, or mutual funds directly to LESA.
- Contact Us: Call LESA at 314-200-0790 or email us to discuss how you can support the Lutheran Schools Fund.
