Endowments
The LSM Endowment Fund provides long-term financial stability and support for our students, ensuring the continuation of our mission to educate future leaders in classical and sacred music.
The LSM Endowment Fund includes many endowed faculty chairs, scholarships, and general support. The following endowment scholarship funds have been established to celebrate the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, and are open for additional gifts to honor their legacies.
Scroll down or click on a photo below to jump to their section.
Dr. Carlos Messerli, 1927-2017
Dr. Carlos Messerli Endowment
The Dr. Carlos Messerli Scholarship Endowment Fund stands as a powerful tribute to honor the indelible legacy and profound impact of Dr. Messerli on LSM. Throughout his tenure as an educator and as the founding Executive Director of the Lutheran Music Program, Dr. Messerli touched the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities. The Messerli Scholarship embodies his spirit by recognizing students who exude a passion for musical excellence and a commitment to music education.
About Dr. Carlos Messerli
Dr. Carlos Messerli was the founding Executive Director of Lutheran Music Program. He received his B.A, in Education from Concordia University Chicago, a M.A. in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, a M.A. in Musicology from the University of Michigan, and his PhD in Choral Literature from the University of Iowa. A professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska for 20 years, he also served as music director for various congregations in Lincoln, Nebraska.
About The Endowment Fund
Number of Contributions: 1
Current Total: $20,000
Fund Goal: $50,000
How to Contribute
Use the Donate Now box to give by credit/debit card, PayPal, GooglePay, Venmo, or bank transfer. Check the “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” box and enter Dr. Carlos Messerli.
Dr. Carl Schalk, 1929-2021
Dr. Carl Schalk Endowment
The Dr. Carl Schalk Scholarship Endowment Fund honors Dr. Schalk’s legacy in name and in the promise that the future of music and the Church, which he faithfully served, will be preserved through the training and nurturing of young musicians. Students who receive financial support through the Schalk Fund are identified by their own pursuit of church music, and by their desires to use their musical gifts to the service of the Church.
About Dr. Carl Schalk
Carl Schalk was a teacher, musicologist, composer, and author. He was Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois. Dr. Schalk was called to Concordia University in 1965 where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in church music until his retirement in 1994. While at Concordia, Schalk was instrumental in beginning the Master of Church Music program, which produced some one hundred and forty graduates serving throughout the church.
About The Endowment Fund
Number of Contributions: 43
Current Total: $79,594
Fund Goal: $100,000
How to Contribute
Use the Donate Now box to give by credit/debit card, PayPal, GooglePay, Venmo, or bank transfer. Check the “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” box and enter Dr. Carl Schalk.
Peter Wessler, 1957-2020
Peter Wessler Endowment
The Peter Wessler Scholarship Endowment Fund was established to honor Peter and ensure his legacy continues perpetually. Peter served as the LSM Academy Director from 2003 to 2020 and was both the face and the backbone of the LSM summer community for almost two decades. His leadership always included kindness, patience, dedication to the students, and reverence for the program he served. Students who receive financial support through the Wessler Fund are identified by demonstrating the same compassion and dedication to the LSM community that Peter exemplified.
About Peter Wessler
Peter was a talented musician and spent his life sharing that gift with others. In addition to teaching music in public schools, Peter taught String Techniques to music education majors at Bradley University (his alma mater) as an adjunct professor. He was also the choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pekin. Peter played violin in the Peoria Symphony and enjoyed musical collaborations with his wife and children, all of whom are also professional musicians.
About The Endowment Fund
Number of Contributions: 143
Current Total: $23,053
Fund Goal: $50,000
How to Contribute
Use the Donate Now box to give by credit/debit card, PayPal, GooglePay, Venmo, or bank transfer. Check the “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone” box and enter Peter Wessler.
Other Ways to Give
Mail a Check
Send your check to: Lutheran Music Program, PO Box 8687, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Write “in honor of [Scholarship Name]” in the memo line.
Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
Here are some important notes and highlights of the law:
The distribution must be made from a traditional or Roth IRA.
You must be at least 70-1/2 years of age when the distribution is made.
Amounts given count toward your annual required minimum distribution.
The distribution must be made directly from the IRA to Lutheran Music Program.
Because circumstances may vary from person to person, donors should discuss plans with a professional tax advisor.
Authorize a Grant from Your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
If you have created a DAF for charitable giving consider authorizing a grant to Lutheran Music Program.
Donate Appreciated Securities
If you donate stock that you have held for more than a year, you are giving more than if you sold the stock and made a cash donation because you do not have to pay capital gains taxes.
Organization: Lutheran Music Program
Fed Tax ID Number: 47-0638445
DTC Number: 0141
Account Number: 47130975
Be Part of a Powerful and Lasting Future for LSM
Strength & Stay
Ensuring Music, Faith & Leadership for Our Future
Now is the time to invest in our shared future. With a combination of current and legacy gifts, the creation of endowments, a focus on alumni enthusiasm, and your enduring generosity it is our goal to raise $6 million to secure the future of LSM through the Strength & Stay Campaign.
The Strength & Stay 40th anniversary campaign is made up of parents, alumni, and friends of LSM—people like you—making 3-year pledges at all levels and remembering LSM in their estate plans. Over 100 individuals and families have committed, with $5.92 million already secured!
More Information
Endowment Fund
Our Endowment Fund is held at InFaith Community Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. InFaith provides sound and responsible investment management of our Endowment Fund, as well as gift expertise through its experienced professional staff. InFaith staff is available to work with you and your attorney, financial advisor and accountant to facilitate a charitable gift that benefits our Endowment Fund, fits your financial abilities and provides you with maximum tax benefits.
501(c)(3)
Lutheran Music Program (also known as LSM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The federal tax id number is 47-0638445.
Donor Privacy
LSM will not share or sell a donor's personal information or send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations.
Legacy Accounts
If you created an account prior to October 1, 2018, follow this link to access and edit your information: Access old account
Meet Development Officer, Lisa Hartwig
On behalf of the thousands of alumni touched by Lutheran Music Program, the home of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival, and those who will be because of your generosity, thank you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
lhartwig@lutheransummermusic.org
612-879-9555