The Confessional Lutheran Education Foundation (CLEF) was officially established on the March 18th, 1993 with the purpose of building an endowment fund to provide scholarships to Lutherans enrolled in accredited advanced academic degree programs. The CLEF has since expanded her program offerings while remaining focused on her founding principles.
Need
While the costs of higher education continue to increase dramatically, CLEF also recognizes that the need for a Scriptural and Confessional Lutheran education at all levels is a world-wide need. The financial burden experienced by Confessional Lutheran students studying for the Office of the Ministry and seeking advanced theological and related degrees, is often overwhelming. The mounting cost of graduate school programs necessitates that the people of God actively help defray these costs through their gifts to the CLEF.
Additionally, countless millions in less blessed countries around the world face the same problems in funding Confessional Lutheran education programs ranging from seminaries in Africa to orphanages in South Asia to medical and dental schools in developing countries.
The need is great and growing! The need is not being met!
Donors to the CLEF may choose to specify the U. S, accredited academic educational institution(s) of their choice, or one of dozens of overseas “mission” programs. (All U.S. and foreign programs supported with CLEF donor gifts are thoroughly researched, theologically sound, and personally overseen by CLEF staff.)
The Board of Directors guarantees that only approved Lutheran applicants and programs will be given scholarships and grants.
Board
The CLEF is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of Confessional Lutherans, both lay and clergy. The Board of Directors is committed to perpetuation of Confessional Lutheran theology and practice. All gifts given to the CLEF go directly to the stated purpose of the Foundation. A list of the board members is available upon request.
Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships are awarded and grants given based upon demonstrated need, academic competency, documented eligibility and a quiasubscription to the Lutheran Confessions as true and accurate in both doctrine and practice. Scholarship and Grant funds are distributed in direct proportion to the gifts received.
Eligibility
Application for scholarships and grants must be made annually or at the conclusion of each completes overseas project.
For graduate school scholarships in the U. S., applications must include recommendations from the respective theological institution attended, thereby certifying the student’s enrollment in an academic program. Letters of recommendation from the president and academic dean of the institution, the applicant’s home pastor, and others would attest to the applicant’s commitment to Confessional theology and practice are also required. The Board of Directors awards scholarships to only qualified Confessional Lutheran students.
For overseas, grant applications must include complete financial statements, project proposals and stated means of evaluation. The Board of Directors will only gift grants to those programs that promote Confessional Lutheran theology and practice.
Types of Scholarships
As the financial resources of the CLEF grow, scholarships will be awarded to Confessional U.S. and foreign students studying for the BTh, BDiv, MAR, STM, THD, and PhD degrees.
Types of Grants
As the CLEF receives gifts to fund overseas programming, the Board of Directors and staff will evaluate each “mission” outreach program before dispensing monies, thereby assuring for the donor the best use and overseeing of gifts given. Again, overseas grants can be given to educational programs and their support at all educational levels and in all programs that are part of supporting the making of Christ truly present in peoples’ lives.
Investments
Presently the CLEF funds are professionally managed on behalf of the Board of Directors and donors.
Tax Exempt
The CLEF is a non-profit organization, chartered in the State of Minnesota, charter # 11-862. For the purpose of your contribution, it is considered tax exempt by the IRS (under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Pub. 557).