Nonprofit Resources
Thrivent Charitable and its generous donors are committed to supporting churches and nonprofit organizations across our local, national, and global communities.
Thrivent Charitable grants are given in two ways:
- Our donors support the charities and causes they cherish through individual donor-advised funds—the donor decides when and where to distribute grants (subject to the due diligence process and policies)—or organizational endowment funds.
- Thrivent Charitable serves our donors in addressing larger issues through our collaborative Impact Funds. Grants from these funds are distributed using highly defined characteristics. So, the application process for them is by invitation only.
If you are a donor looking for information on Thrivent Charitable Impact Funds, visit the
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
As a church or nonprofit organization, you may have questions about our services and how Thrivent Charitable donors can support your work. Below are answers to common questions.
Who is Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing?
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing® brings hope to the world by empowering people to create the change that matters most to them. We open the joy of generosity to all by making it easy for anyone to give to the causes they cherish. We take a holistic, personalized approach to help our donors create strategic charitable plans, illuminating new paths to personalized impact through visionary models, tailored service and deep expertise. Supported by our faith, we are passionate about creating positive impact and inspiring lasting change in our communities. Learn more about us here .
What is a grantee organization?
A grantee organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity that can be supported through a donor-advised fund a donor has entrusted Thrivent Charitable to administer.
What is a donor-advised fund?
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable investment account and provides donors with the giving flexibility needed to provide grant support to the organizations and causes they cherish. Donors have contributed these assets to Thrivent Charitable, and donors advise their use to support charitable work. Watch this video to learn more.
How do I know if my organization and associated purposes are eligible to receive grants from a donor-advised fund?
Thrivent Charitable makes grants only to IRS-qualified public charities, which includes public charities with a 501(c)(3) designation, governmental and/or religious organizations. While the vast majority of grants recommended by donors are honored by Thrivent Charitable, the following are types of grant requests are not permissible:
- Grants providing a more than incidental benefit to the donor or other third party. This includes: all or a portion of the cost to attend a charitable event, goods bought at charitable auctions, raffle tickets, grants that fulfill fundraising or other commitments or pledges, or that are directed to or for the benefit of specific individuals (e.g., school tuition, scholarships earmarked for individuals);
- Grants to organizations whose purpose or work is not solely charitable or when the grant will be used for a non-charitable purpose (e.g., cemeteries, VFW, fraternal societies);
- Grants to private non-operating foundations; and
- Grants to (501)(c)(3) supporting organizations that cannot verify they would be considered Type I or Type II by the IRS.
How do donors recommend grants to my organization?
Donors may recommend grants through their donor-advised funds in one of two ways:
- Online through their Fund Dashboard.
- Complete
the Grant Recommendation form and return it to Thrivent Charitable.
What does the grant review and due diligence process entail?
In its role as steward, Thrivent Charitable performs due diligence on all grants before approval to ensure they meet our standards and IRS standards. Once grants are requested and approved by our team, grants are generally distributed within five to seven business days. In some cases, it may take longer to complete the approval process.
Can my organization receive grants electronically?
In response to grantee feedback and in efforts to expedite payments to organizations, Thrivent Charitable is now sending grants electronically via ACH. Please share your organization’s banking information with us to benefit from this service.
You can upload the necessary information viathis secure form .
You can upload the necessary information via
I received a grant payment. How can I thank the donor who made the grant?
If the donor/recommender would like to receive acknowledgement and thanks directly from you, you will find their contact information included in the communication accompanying the check or electronic grant payment. We've created a sample thank you letter to help you get started on thanking donors' grants from their donor-advised funds.
Please do not acknowledge the grant to us by mail, as we are unable to accommodate forwarding mail to donors.
Here is asample of the communications you receive regarding any grants made to your organization and where to find information to send your appreciation to the donor.
Donors are eligible to claim their potential tax deduction upon making a gift to fund their donor-advised fund at Thrivent Charitable, not when they distribute grants to organizations such as yours. Donors are not eligible to receive a tax deduction in connection to any grant recommendations to organizations.
Please do not acknowledge the grant to us by mail, as we are unable to accommodate forwarding mail to donors.
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Donors are eligible to claim their potential tax deduction upon making a gift to fund their donor-advised fund at Thrivent Charitable, not when they distribute grants to organizations such as yours. Donors are not eligible to receive a tax deduction in connection to any grant recommendations to organizations.
Can I apply for a grant from Thrivent Charitable?
Thrivent Charitable does not accept unsolicited grant requests. Our grantmaking works in two ways:
- We help donors support their favorite charities and causes through individual donor-advised funds—the donor decides when and where to distribute grants (subject to due diligence and policies). Once a donor creates their donor-advised fund with Thrivent Charitable, they are eligible to recommend grants to IRS-qualified charities. No application is necessary from the grantee.
- We address larger issues with a unified voice through our
Impact Funds . The grant application process for Impact Funds is by invitation only.
Who should I contact at Thrivent Charitable with my grant-related questions?
Our grants and donor services team is here to support you. Contact us with questions at grants@thrivent.com or call us at 800-365-4172.
What other opportunities might there be to benefit my nonprofit through Thrivent's full offerings?
To learn more about Thrivent and its generosity offerings please visit the website thrivent.com/generosity . You may also be interested to Locate a Thrivent Member Network for your area. Finding out the local financial advisors is also beneficial. They would have particular insight into their client’s charitable interests—some of which may have funds at Thrivent Charitable—and or local giving opportunities.
Thrivent & Generosity
Thrivent provides generosity programs and partnerships to amplify impact.
To learn more visitthrivent.com/generosity .
To learn more visit
Volunteers lead projects to meet a need in their community using tools and resources provided by Thrivent.
Clients make a donation or direct some of Thrivent's charitable funds to causes they care about.
Clients join us in offering immediate relief and long-term support to help get people back on their feet after a disaster.