At a special meeting on November 7, 2021, the churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA received a feasibility study conducted by Rebecca Sundquist of Rebecca Sundquist Fundraising. The board adopted the study’s recommendations, authorizing a $1 million dollar campaign to further support the Katharina von Bora Luther Endowment Fund (“Katie’s Fund”), to begin in 2022. Katie’s Fund is an endowment that supports ministry in three areas: leadership development, global connections, and living theology.
“The Churchwide Executive Board voted unanimously to launch a major campaign to expand Katie’s Fund,” said Joy Michalicek, churchwide president for the 2020-2023 triennium. “By expanding Katie’s Fund, Women of the ELCA will better serve women across the church, the society and the world.”
Additional recommendations in the study include the creation of a detailed communications plan for the campaign, a review of systems for processing gifts from the fund, and the organization of the campaign’s structure and leadership.
“This campaign will augment regular giving to the organization and provide another level of sustainability to the women’s ministry of the ELCA,” noted Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director. “In 2022 the organization will celebrate 35 years since its constituting convention and 25 years since the creation of Katie’s Fund. How exciting to mark these significant anniversaries with a campaign!”
Two final recommendations from the study apply more broadly to all women in the organization.
“Pray daily for Women of the ELCA, for the communication plan, for Katie’s Fund, for the campaign, for opportunities to impact the world for the sake of the Gospel,” Sundquist wrote. And finally, “roll up your sleeves, lean into the work, keep your eye on the ball, no looking back, move ahead with confidence, BE BOLD!”
Planning for the campaign will take place over the next several months.
In other business, the executive board also received the annual review of the executive director.