The Raising Dough team members are with four pan-Lutheran organizations in Greater Cleveland. They are members of the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) and helped to organize the ALDE International Conference in Columbus in February 2006. They work in communications and fundraising for their respective organizations and bring a combined 140 years of experience to their ministry in the church. Responding to a national initiative from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, they developed and proposed a program to encourage and help Lutherans plan gifts to their congregations, schools and organizations. With "yeast" provided by Thrivent, blessings from the Boards of Directors of their respective organizations and encouragement from Bishop Marcus Miller of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod and President Ron Bergen of the LCMS Ohio District, Raising Dough was formed.   Special Note: In December 2007, Raising Dough received word that Thrivent has extended the Raising Dough grant period. Raising Dough will continue to be available through 2009 to area congregations. Thank you, Thrivent!

Ms. Peggy Forni, Director of Development, Cleveland Lutheran High School Association
pdf@clhsa.org
440-356-7155, ext. 1

Mr. Greg Wiechert, Director of Development, Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve
gwiechert@concordreserve.org
440-871-0090, ext. 2120