Endowment / Foundation

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ELCA Foundation

The ELCA Foundation was established in 1988 as a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It develops gifts and manages...

ELCA Foundation logo

ELCA Foundation

The ELCA Foundation was established in 1988 as a separately incorporated ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It develops gifts and manages assets on behalf of congregations, synods, and related entities. The Ministry Growth Fund holds the core endowment and targets a diversified mix of US and international equities, fixed income, and alternatives. Confirmed holdings through the fund include positions in Cambridge US Private Equity, HFRX Global Hedge Funds, and S&P Global Infrastructure. The foundation also manages donated residential, commercial, and farmland assets across the United States. The team numbers 13 professionals based in Chicago. The foundation maintains relationships with Fund Evaluation Group as outsourced CIO since 2023 and BNY Mellon Trust as custodian. In July 2024 it sponsored the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The foundation operates as a church ministry rather than a conventional endowment, with investment decisions routed through committees that include ELCA treasurers and external advisors.

General information

Firm type

Endowment / Foundation

Year founded

1988

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Chicago

Corporate office

8765 W Higgins Road, Chicago, IL, United States

Principals

Chuck Self

Investment Committee Chair

Eric Golberg

Chair of the Investment Committee for the endowment fund

Lori Fedyk

Chair of the Audit, Risk, and Investment Committee

Sector focus

EndowmentsPhilanthropy

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at ELCA Foundation?

Chuck Self serves as Investment Committee Chair. Eric Golberg chairs the endowment fund committee. Lori Fedyk chairs the Audit, Risk, and Investment Committee.

Does ELCA Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The Ministry Growth Fund holds limited partner positions in Cambridge US Private Equity and HFRX Global Hedge Funds alongside direct real estate gifts.

Where does the underlying wealth come from?

Assets originate from gifts and endowments tied to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its congregations and synods.

What asset classes does ELCA Foundation hold?

Holdings include US and international public equities, fixed income, alternatives, donated real estate, and marketable commodities.

How is ELCA Foundation related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America?

It functions as a separately incorporated ministry of the ELCA with its own board and investment committees.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

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