MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 9, 2013) – The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation has announced that the $500,000 challenge matching grant has been met through the generosity of Thrivent members and others. The Foundation matched $1 for every $2 donated and received by Lutheran disaster response agencies, leading to a total of more than $1.5 million for the relief efforts in the Philippines.

Grants will be provided to the following Lutheran disaster response agencies: Lutheran Disaster Response (ELCA), LCMS Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, and WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

“The worldwide response to this tragedy was remarkable and humbling,” said Laurie Wilkinson, director of church relations at Thrivent Financial. “The outpouring of generosity helped quickly reach the goal of the foundation’s challenge matching grant.”

The work in the Philippines will continue for many years, and Thrivent encourages others to continue to give to this effort. The Lutheran disaster response agencies will use the funds raised for ongoing support through the many months and years to come.

For more information on how to get involved and continue to make a difference, visit: https://www.thrivent.com/disasterresponse/philippines.html.

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation is a private foundation funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. As a 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of trustees, the foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational purposes and makes grants and gifts to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations. The foundation does not provide grants to individuals. To learn more about the foundation and its grant programs, visit: www.thriventfoundation.com.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based financial services membership organization helping its nearly 2.5 million members to be wise with money and to live generous lives. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial joins with its members to create and support national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.