The Good Shepherd Lutheran Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

The foundation made meaningful progress in 2024, advancing campus improvements, launching innovative programs, and enhancing services that enriched the daily lives of residents and staff. These accomplishments were made possible through strategic planning, intentional fundraising, and the heartfelt generosity of our supporters, whose unwavering contributions to both greatest needs and restricted funds continue to make a lasting impact.throughout the year, the foundation remained committed to gratitude and stewardship through thoughtful communication, recognition, and relationship-building. Monetary and in-kind gifts supported all levels of care, reinforcing trust both within and beyond our organization. These contributions strengthened relationships with residents, families, employees, business partners, and long-standing donors.as a result, stewardship driven grant approvals focused on elevating quality of life and creating warm, dignified, and homelike environments. Funded initiatives included court corridor and common area upgrades, garden box soil testing and replacement, the mille lacs lake household kitchen remodel, a vibrant outdoor fence mural at shepherd of grace memory cottages, campus fitness room enhancements, and expanded campuswide recreation.in addition, donor support also made possibly a variety of staff and resident events such as mother's day carnations, veterans day cake, all-saints reception, all fostering joy, connection, and appreciation throughout the community.among the many initiatives supported, one highlight was the transformation of the mille lacs lake dining room, a central space where residents gather daily for meals and connection. The revitalized space now features safe, mobilty-friendly flooring, functional cabinetry, ergonomic tables and chairs, and calming decor that together create a warm, home-like atmosphere. Beyond aesthetics, this transformation has had a meaningful impact on residents' emotional well-being, encouraging social interaction, reducing isolation, and strengthening a sense of community. Residents and families alike have shared how much more inviting this area has become.another highlight, shepherd of grace (sog) restricted funds and greatest needs contributions supported a vibrant mural on the memory cottage courtyard's white pvc fence. Featuring flowers, birds, and butterflies, the mural transforms the sterile fence into warm, engaging, and therapuetic outdoor space. It beautifies the garden while providing comfort, conversation, and reminiscence, especially for residents with memory loss. The project included the initial design and a protective anti-graffiti coating to preserve the artwork. Additional fundraising efforts are planned with sog families to expand the mural across the entire fence, further enriching the environment for residents and visitors. In addition, 2024 brought generous gifts from a local organization and a family member to support our alzhemier's and sauk rapids memory cottages. Plans are now underway to share these contributions with residents in 2025.memorial donations enabled the foundation to honor loved ones with memory stones in the serenity garden and improvements to garden boxes. Music and memory funds sustained our annual subscription, providing therapeutic music to residents, especially those in memory care to improve mood and manage behaviors. The foundation also partnered with local businesses and community members to meet resident needs, donating items such as pumpkins for contests, food for events, walker bags, weighted blankets, garden plantings, large-print activity books, grip stockings, and razors to support graceful aging.resident activities and recreation continued to thrive across both the sauk rapids and shepherd of grace campuses in 2024, thanks to ongoing support from out campuswide recreation fund. Programming extended to residents in both nursing and housing settings, offering joyful moments and meaningful engagement throughout

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 39.4%; rating input score 39
• Program expense ratio: 55.5%; rating input score 55
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 48.4%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 36.37; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.32; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 57.6%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 26.3% per year; rating input score 100; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.2% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings