In early January of each year, the three congregational coordinators receive notification about the amount of Care in Congregations® program dollars made available to Thrivent Financial members in each Lutheran congregation for that year. (To receive funding, the three congregational coordinator positions must be filled and on record with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.) The dollars are used to supplement money raised by a congregational service team at a fund-raiser, or to pay for the materials needed by the service team to perform a hands-on service activity. Here is a description of the funding process for the Care in Congregations program: Identify need(s).  The congregational coordinators work with the church leadership and the Thrivent Financial members in their congregation to help identify needs and the type of activity—fund-raiser or hands-on service activity—that will best help meet the needs and has the greatest impact for using Care in Congregations program funds to help the congregation or related Lutheran institution(s). Form congregational service team.  To receive Care in Congregations funding, a congregational service team must consist of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members (benefit, associate and/or youth members) from at least six different households (this can include congregational coordinators) who come together to plan, prepare for and conduct a fund-raiser or hands-on service activity. After the six-member-household requirement is met, nonmembers also are encouraged to participate in the activity. Request funding.  Before the activity occurs, one of the congregational coordinators enters the proposed activity/funding request online by selecting either Request Hands-on Service Activity Funding or Request Fund-Raiser Activity Funding in the Congregational Coordinator Administration menu. (Note: Keep in mind the December deadline for entering activity/funding requests for activities in the current year.) Publicize and conduct activity.  It is important that the activity is promoted as being hosted by Thrivent Financial (e.g., hosted by a volunteer service team of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; additional funding provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans). Promotional materials (e.g., posters, bulletin inserts and news release templates) are available online and/or from congregational coordinators and the local Thrivent chapter leadership board. Gather and report results/distribute funds.  After the activity is completed: The congregational service team contacts a congregational coordinator to provide: The results of the activity (Thrivent Financial members participating, volunteer hours, funds raised, etc.) Any receipts from the activity. The congregational service team gives the local net funds raised directly to the congregation (the recipient) or its related Lutheran institution (e.g., preschool, youth group). A congregational coordinator submits all expense receipts for the activity to the chapter leadership board. As soon as possible after the activity and before Dec. 31 of the current year, a congregational coordinator reports the activity online in Report Funded Activity Results in the Congregational Coordinator Administration menu. After the online report has been submitted, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans issues a check for the Care in Congregations funds to the congregation. It will take 7 to 10 business days after the results are reported on the system by the congregational coordinator for the congregation to receive the check.

Additional Topics:
Care in Congregations® guidelines booklet
Care programs comparison chart
Care programs summary reports

This is proprietary information that is solely for use by employees, volunteers, and agents of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in connection with fraternal activities of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.