SIEBERT LUTHERAN FOUNDATION
Growing Our Collective Impact through Siebert Serves
Faithful Giving Produces Generations of Blessings
In 2024, we witnessed a transformative year of building a community of givers united by faith in Jesus Christ and a shared commitment to making a difference. This collective spirit drives meaningful change and amplifies resources through Siebert Serves to foster stronger and healthier communities.
At its annual Inspired to Thrive conference in May 2024, Siebert launched a first-ever Named Endowment Fund Match opportunity. Since then, seven donors have established endowment funds at Siebert to provide a vital and perpetual stream of support for Lutheran schools, churches, and nonprofits. It is inspiring to know these gifts will deepen the financial resources for our grantee partners for decades, just as Mr. Siebert’s gift continues to do.
The Named Endowment Fund match opportunity ends in May 2025. We welcome donors who want to maximize their life’s impact and join others who trust Siebert's on-the-ground, in-depth knowledge of the Lutheran community. Visit our Endowment Fund FAQ or contact Sarah Gilday, Director of Philanthropy at Siebert Lutheran Foundation, to learn how a Named Endowment Fund can help you and your family leave a legacy that impacts generations.
How Endowment Funds Create Lasting Impact
Teaching children why generosity is important
For Patricia Contreras, creating a Named Endowment Fund at Siebert Lutheran Foundation wasn’t just about contributing to the community—it was about teaching her children, Olivia and Xavi, the importance of philanthropy. A Siebert Board Director and Vice President of Community Impact at Rockwell Automation, Patricia began instilling the value of giving in her kids early using church offerings to spark conversation about generosity.
“My hope is that my children grow up inspired to care for others, not just with their words but through meaningful action,” Patricia shares.
Life’s demands can make it easy to overlook the importance of long-term planning, but Patricia found Siebert to be the ideal partner. “Starting an endowment fund at Siebert is the perfect way for my children to actively invest in our community for years to come,” she explains.
"Identifying a trusted partner like Siebert makes it easy. The Siebert team members are experts, and you can rest assured your investments will be optimized. An endowment allows you to leave a meaningful legacy, supporting the causes you care about for generations."
~ Patricia Contreras, Siebert Board Director and Vice President of Community Impact at Rockwell Automation
UNITED IN PURPOSE
Amplifying Change at Siebert’s Collaborators’ Event
It is hard to imagine that it has been five years since Siebert introduced the Collaborators’ Event to Milwaukee! This annual event creates a new model for philanthropy, emphasizing collaboration and shared resources to make a meaningful difference.
On November 7, 2024, over 100 donors participated in the Foundation’s fifth annual Collaborators’ Event to raise more than $250,000 for 14 local grantee partners.
With a matching gift from Siebert, the total grant distribution to grantee partners reached a remarkable $356,850. At Siebert, we see the impact featured grantee organizations are making daily. We see the power of praying with someone in prison, the sense of fellowship in sharing a meal with men overcoming their addictions, or the joy on a child’s face when she can master a new life skill. We have a front-row seat to these impactful stories at the Collaborators' Event.
"I feel so refreshed and grateful to know that this community of donors has united for a single cause – to support these partners so they can touch more lives and share the love of Jesus.”
- Dr. Emily Van Dunk, Siebert Vice Chair and Secretary, and Executive Director, Argosy Foundation
Looking Ahead with Faith and Purpose
Since its inception six years ago, Siebert Serves has raised over $1.2 million, proving the power of collective philanthropy in driving sustainable change. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to extend God’s love and compassion through meaningful partnerships, empowering communities, and creating a ripple effect of hope and transformation that will endure.
Thank you to the individuals and families who donated to Siebert Serves in 2024:
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Anonymous
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Rev. Lisa Bates-Froiland
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Lori and Kurt Bechthold
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Laura and Jeff Bray
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Cathy and Greg Buck
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Lorraine and William Buehler
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Jodi and Matt Burow
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Patricia Ramirez Contreras
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Kaztex Foundation
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Krysta DeBoer
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Pat DeBoer
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Sandy and Tom Dunst
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Rebecca and Mike Ehlers
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Kevin Festerling
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Kenneth Fisher
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Pastor Sara Gillespie
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Ken Ginlack
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James Goldschmidt
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Wendy Greenfield
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Nicole Hermann
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Catherine and Eric Jacobson
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The Kammerait and Nemeth families
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Jeremy Keil
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Tom Keppeler
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Margaret and Kurtiss Krueger
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Christie and Bill Krugler
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Bruce Laning
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Tim Larson
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Lori and Eric Lorenz
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Jamie Luehring
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Anita and Pastor Gerald Mansholt
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Mars Family Foundation
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3Fold IT, LLC
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We Raise Foundation
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Deni and Mike Naumann
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Dr. Joan M. Prince
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Jeanne and Larry Prochnow
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Jamie and David Rodgers
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Gael and Dave Romoser
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Scott Sanders
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Susan and John Schaller
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Abigail and Matt Schumwinger
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Jennifer Sievers
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Brenda Skelton-Bendtsen and James Bendtsen
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Carol and Mickey Stein
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Terri and Eric Tillich
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Derek Tyus
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Julie and Jay Van Cleave
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Dr. Emily Van Dunk and Erik Lee
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Kari Wellhausen
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Lisa and Brandon Wigley
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Cindy and Todd Witte
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Peggy and John C. Zimdars Jr.
LEGACY CIRCLE
Siebert Lutheran Foundation’s Legacy Circle honors individuals who have chosen to make a lasting impact by establishing a named endowment fund or including the Foundation in their estate plans. Whether their gift is the entire estate, a percentage or portion, or a set dollar amount, their generosity reflects a deep commitment to answering God’s call and fostering a culture of philanthropy. We are grateful for their dedication and the enduring legacy they leave in support of our shared mission.
This list of names is especially meaningful to Siebert Lutheran Foundation, as each represents a legacy dedicated to supporting the Foundation's mission for generations to come. Thank you for making this vital work part of your legacy!
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Kurt and Lori Bechthold Family Endowment Fund
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Brenda Skelton-Bendtsen and James Bendtsen
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Rev. Sara Gillespie
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Jacobson Family Endowment Fund
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Kammerait Family Endowment Fund
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Tim Larson
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Donald and Irene Nerenhausen Endowment Fund
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Eugene and Jeanetta Prince Family Endowment Fund
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Ramirez Contreras Family Endowment Fund
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James and Mary Tyus Family Endowment Fund
83
Donors
$404,855
Donated through
Siebert Serves
15
Organizations Received Funding
Learn More!
When you make a gift to Siebert Serves, you join a community of other faith-based believers who share Gospel values. Additionally, you serve "the least among us” by investing in Lutheran programs that grow the body of Christ and build stronger and healthier communities.
Contact Siebert's Director of Philanthropy, Sarah Gilday, to learn more about Siebert Serves and opportunities to transform lives through a partnership with Siebert.
