When Change Needs a Network.
ABOUT US
Our Story
In 1997, 300 Lutheran health and human services nonprofit organizations across 1,400 communities founded Lutheran Services in America, along with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Our national network model accelerates transformational change. Headquartered in Washington, DC with offices in the heart of Capitol Hill, Lutheran Services in America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving a healthier, more equitable future for people and communities in the United States.
The Lutheran Services in America network reaches one in 50 people in America each year. Our national network is united in its mission to transform lives and communities. Built on deep trust, open exchange and shared values, our national network model uniquely positions us to mobilize around ambitious goals and address complex challenges facing people and communities today.
Our shared calling to love and care for our neighbor is a force for bringing people and resources together to solve problems—impacting communities at scale—in ways that go beyond what any one organization can achieve on its own.
As a faith-based organization,
we are committed to
race equity and justice
and empowering all people in America to lead their best lives.
Our Approach
We leverage our shared values, trust and heritage and mobilize our network with strategic partners from academia, philanthropy, healthcare and the private sector to advance innovation and drive systemic change for people and communities.
A decidedly different national network model
We combine the time, talent and treasure across our network to empower nonprofit leaders, build organizational capacity and incubate learning and innovation. Our national network model gives us unique perspective: we see—and act upon—areas of acute need and great opportunity across the health and human services continuum of care.
A vital resource in a time of change
We amplify the faith based voice of a $26 billion network through advocacy on policy matters affecting children, older adults, families, people with disabilities, veterans, refugees and others experiencing need in the United States.
A force for change
We design and implement pilots, evaluate results, disseminate information and scale successful approaches to work in more places. Through partnerships with academia, philanthropy, healthcare and the private sector, we engage our national network in projects to address some of the most complex, challenging issues affecting society today.
Our Approach
We leverage our shared values, trust and heritage and mobilize our network with strategic partners from academia, philanthropy, healthcare and the private sector to advance innovation and drive systemic change for people and communities.
A decidedly different national network model
We combine the time, talent and treasure across our network to empower nonprofit leaders, build organizational capacity and incubate learning and innovation. Our national network model gives us unique perspective: we see—and act upon—areas of acute need and great opportunity across the health and human services continuum of care.
A vital resource in a time of change
We amplify the faith based voice of a $23 billion network through advocacy on policy matters affecting children, older adults, families, people with disabilities, veterans, refugees and others experiencing need in the United States.
A force for change
We design and implement pilots, evaluate results, disseminate information and scale successful approaches to work in more places. Through partnerships with academia, philanthropy, healthcare and the private sector, we engage our national network in projects to address some of the most complex, challenging issues affecting society today.
Our Vision
We envision a network of connected, strong and thriving Lutheran social ministries that transform the lives of people and communities.
Our Mission
We champion Lutheran service in community by building valuable connections, amplifying our voices and empowering our members in their mission to answer God’s call to love and serve our neighbor.
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Our Lutheran Inspiration
The Lutheran Services in America network organizations are rooted in the Lutheran theology of caring for our neighbor and the spirit of early Lutheran reformers who transformed the way we address society’s greatest challenges.
Lutheran reformers worked together to pool community resources, not only to provide essentials such as food and shelter, but also to deliver healthcare, job training and other services critical to individuals leading a life of dignity and respect. They recognized that a holistic approach best empowers people to reach their full potential and when people thrive, communities thrive.
Five centuries later, Lutheran social ministries continue the legacy of the Reformation by rising to 21st century challenges. Lutheran social ministries continue to care for our neighbor putting people at the center of our work.
