ELCA World Hunger’s mission centers on working collaboratively to create a just world where all are fed. This mission embraces a comprehensive approach to addressing and breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger in various communities across the United States and the Caribbean.
The Domestic Hunger Grants program supports congregations and their partners aiming to tackle local challenges related to food security, clean water, housing, job readiness, human rights, policy change, leadership development, and more. By leveraging community strengths, the program seeks to enact sustainable changes that address the root causes of poverty and hunger. Priority is given to projects that focus on food security, clean water access, affordable housing, job access, human rights enhancement, policy change, among other areas. Grants are awarded on a three-year cycle, with a maximum of $10,000 per year, dependent on the availability of funds and successful annual evaluations.
Based on the outlined priority sectors, ELCA World Hunger primarily aims to fund ministries that: directly tackle the fundamental reasons for hunger within communities; show a profound dedication to diversity and inclusion within their leadership and decision-making processes, particularly by involving individuals directly affected by hunger or poverty; initiate or enhance avenues for advocacy aimed at systemic reform; and utilize local resources by collaborating with other community ministries and organizations, also contributing their own effort and financial support to their ministry. As a church ministry, preference in the funding process will be given to ELCA congregations.