WELS Foundation Newsletter and Resources

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WELS Foundation is pleased to provide a newsletter created to support our ministry partners as they guide and encourage Christian giving.  Each issue includes valuable insights, tools and resources to assist you in serving donors.

Browse past issues and download supporting materials below.

Have questions or want to join our email list?
Contact WELS Foundation at 414-256-3255 or [email protected].

WELS Association of Lutheran High Schools conference presentation

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On March 6, 2025, WELS Foundation sponsored the Mission Advancement sectionals at the WELS Association of Lutheran High Schools conference at the Sheraton, Brookfield, Wis. We welcomed Josh Birkholz, CEO of BWF, as our keynote speaker.

Sectional presentation information:

  • Bible study: Rev. Kurt Lueneburg, director of WELS Ministry of Christian Giving, led us in a discussion of biblical principles that guide our mission advancement efforts.
  • Session 1: The State of Giving to Christian Ministries: We’ve come through a period of many changes. From the pandemic to economic pressures, many giving patterns have changed. Christian ministries have also seen both changes and opportunities to advance their giving programs. In this section, national philanthropy leader Josh Birkholz outlined the state of giving and how WELS organizations can accelerate their giving programs.
  • Session 2: Maintaining a Thriving Prospect Pool: For many organizations, staffed prospect research and management departments are a luxury. Nevertheless, the need for identifying prospects, prioritizing opportunities, and moving them through their giving journey is paramount to a strong development program. Josh Birkholz related the leading approaches to prospect development in this dynamic session. Expect to understand the fundamentals evaluating your pipeline to grow your advancement program.

Questions?
Contact WELS Foundation at 414-256-3255 or [email protected].

Estate Planning Guide

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We’ve created this estate planning guide especially for you as you carry out the privilege of managing all that our Lord has entrusted to you. Throughout your life, you’ve dedicated your time, talents, and treasures to Christ, your family, and others—through your congregation, synod, and WELS-affiliated ministries.

We pray that this booklet offers a practical, clear, and workable process that leads to a plan you feel confident in—one that:

  • Demonstrates God-pleasing Christian stewardship
  • Provides for your loved ones and the ministries you care about after you’re called to heaven
  • Is completed in a timely and cost-effective manner

📘Using This Booklet
This guide walks you through the essential steps of preparing a Christian estate plan. It includes sections for gathering and organizing your information—helpful to both your family and your professional planners

Getting started:

⚠️ Please note:

  • You will need Adobe Reader to complete the form fields electronically. If you do not have it, you can download it for free here.
  • This workbook is intended for saving and printing only. For your privacy, do not e-mail the completed form, as your data could be intercepted.

Annual Report

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WELS Foundation is the foundation of choice for WELS members and ministries. It is the only foundation whose sole purpose is to facilitate donors’ desires to support WELS ministries.

After the Israelites crossed the River Jordan to enter the Promised Land, they set up a stone memorial so that future generations would know the goodness of God (Joshua 4:4-9). In the same way, WELS Foundation exists to help members whose gifts leave a monument of their faith that will be a blessing for many years to come.

By establishing a planned gift, you are creating a lasting legacy by providing financial resources dedicated to the support of teaching and preaching God’s Word to future generations. As you contemplate the transition from the wilderness of life on earth to the Promised Land of heaven, what will be your memorial stone?