FAQs

What are ELCA Good Gifts?

ELCA Good Gifts are a creative, meaningful way to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. These gifts are real examples from projects currently supported through ELCA churchwide ministries: the ELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, ELCA New Congregations, ELCA Vision for Mission, ELCA World Hunger, Disability Ministries and Lutheran Disaster Response. Each of these programs is a long-term, partnership-based ministry that focus on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities.

How does this work?

Your donation will be used where it is needed most within the wider category of each gift selected. For example, a gift of vaccinations may be used to support other health care initiatives. This allows our church to stay adaptive, flexible and effective in the work that we do.

Can I specify where my gift will be going or track where my donation was used?

The ELCA is at work in nearly 80 countries around the world, including the United States. Because we seek to honor your generosity and keep administrative costs low, we do not track individual financial gifts to specific families or locations in the U.S. or abroad.

What are your administrative costs?

More than 85 percent of your gifts directly support our programs; less than 15 percent is used for administration and fundraising. Because of our long-standing, local partnerships around the world, our administrative costs are significantly lower than other organizations.

How do I get cards?

We’ve just launched some improvements to our website, and now it’s easier than ever to get cards to share with friends and loved ones. When you give online, you’ll have three options for greeting cards at checkout:

1. To mail a blank card to yourself or a personalized card to a loved one
2. To email a greeting (immediately, or on a date in the future)
3. To print a card at home, by downloading a PDF

You’ll select your card options as you complete your donation, and there’s no need to visit an additional website, as was the case in the past.

If you’re giving through the mail, you can request that a blank, printed card for each of your gifts is sent to your home. You must request these cards with the order form found inside of the ELCA Good Gifts catalog. The customized options (above) are only available with online gifts.

What is the difference between ELCA Good Gifts and similar organizations?

Many other organizations are doing wonderful work around the world, and some do work in similar ways. A main difference between the ELCA and other programs is that this church receives almost all of the money to fund its work directly through its congregations and members, and almost all of the money that we distribute goes to support the work being carried out by our congregations, global companion churches and ecumenical partners. This is unique because the church is our delivery system. It is successful because the church is present in far corners of the world and already connected and trusted in communities. And finally, it is sustainable. Our churches and partners are the ones who identify local needs and solutions; we just help make those dreams a reality.

What about animals? How can I talk about the importance of animals with others?

The animals of God’s Global Barnyard are among some of the most popular gifts in the catalog. Your gifts to God’s Global Barnyard support the sustainable development ministries of ELCA World Hunger, which include training, education, resources (and much more) to help the community care for animals and create new market opportunities like starting a small business selling eggs, meat or dairy products. Your gifts support this comprehensive approach to animal husbandry.

In an effort to help educate others – like your Sunday school class – about the relationship between animals and hunger, check out the Animals and Hunger Toolkit. The toolkit provides lessons, activities and more to explore how animals help families and communities in need.

How can I share examples of different families who have been impacted by our gifts?

For videos and stories of different families and communities who have been impacted by ELCA World Hunger and other ministries featured in ELCA Good Gifts, check out our videos and stories.

What is a “group gift” and how does it work?  

For ELCA Good Gifts that are priced at $500 or higher, you have the option to make your donation a “group gift.” When you create a group gift, you get your family, friends, or coworkers to buy it together. You choose a date, the occasion, and who it's for, then invite people to join in. You will need to create an account in order to create a group gift, and you’ll be able to monitor the progress in real-time. All donations will be used to support ELCA ministries, regardless of if your goal is met. You’ll be able to set a date in which an e-card will be automatically sent to your honoree if your goal is reached. For additional card options, including ways to acknowledge someone if your goal is not met, please give us a call at 800-638-3522 or email us at giving@elca.org.

Can I create a registry with ELCA Good Gifts?

Yes, you can! Create a registry, or wish list, by selecting “Create wish list” instead of “Add to cart” when viewing a product. A wish list is a collection of gifts that friends, family, and co-workers can buy on your behalf. You can use a wish list as a unique wedding registry, for your birthdays or other event, or simply as a way to help fundraise on our behalf. You can create multiple wish lists.

Questions? Comments?

Have a question for us? Please give us a call at 800-638-3522 or email us at giving@elca.org.