The Lutheran University Association Inc

Valparaiso, IN · Founded 1943

Governing corporation of Valparaiso University

Primary audience
Nonprofits
Work area
Philanthropy
Topic
Grantmaking
Contact
Jose Padilla
Website Contact

About Organization

Based in Valparaiso, IN, The Lutheran University Association serves as the governing body of Valparaiso University, a comprehensive Lutheran-affiliated institution. The organization reported $209.4 million in revenue for 2023, supporting undergraduate and graduate education across multiple colleges and schools with programs grounded in Lutheran tradition of academic excellence and service.

What They Focus On

Grant Distributions

Awards funding to qualified nonprofit organizations addressing community needs in foundation priority areas and mission focus.

Strategic Impact

Pursues community change through targeted grantmaking, program development, and initiatives addressing root causes of challenges.

Nonprofit Support

Strengthens community organizations through funding, capacity building assistance, and resources improving organizational effectiveness.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$167.3M

-14.1% vs 2021

Assets (2021)

$602.9M

-6.3% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2021 — — — —
2021 $194,686,967 $206,305,516 $643,359,261 2,126
2020 — — — —
2020 $197,856,544 $189,300,150 $674,383,035 2,315
2019 $192,641,554 $204,953,827 $578,078,702 2,922
2018 $191,580,438 $217,269,217 $585,354,605 3,140
2017 $199,153,602 $205,381,421 $593,756,639 3,279

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Define Priorities

    Establish grantmaking priorities and funding focus areas aligned with foundation mission and community needs.

  • 02

    Review Proposals

    Evaluate grant applications assessing organizational capacity, program merit, and alignment with foundation priorities.

  • 03

    Award Grants

    Distribute funding to selected organizations and programs demonstrating potential for meaningful community impact.

  • 04

    Measure Impact

    Monitor grantee outcomes and assess effectiveness of funding investments in achieving desired community results.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by The Lutheran University Association Inc

Grant Programs

Awards funding to nonprofit organizations addressing community needs in foundation priority areas and mission focus.

Scholarship Support

Provides educational scholarships supporting student access to higher education and academic achievement.

Community Initiatives

Develops and implements programs directly addressing community needs and opportunities for positive impact.

Capacity Building

Strengthens nonprofit organizations through technical assistance, training, and resources improving effectiveness.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind The Lutheran University Association Inc.

JP

Jose Padilla

President (Began 1/21)
Full-time
Compensation: $525,434
MH

Mark Heckler

President Emeritus
Full-time
Compensation: $518,151
SS

Susan Scroggins End 922

Senior Vice President
Full-time
Compensation: $218,093
ML

Mark Labarbera

Director Of Athletics
Full-time
Compensation: $182,442
ML

Matt Lottich

Head Coach Men's Basketball
Full-time
Compensation: $331,843
LH

Lisa Hollander

VP For Advancement
Full-time
Compensation: $252,949
EJ

Eric Johnson

Provost & Executive VP
Full-time
Compensation: $251,308
DF

Darron Farha

VP & General Counsel
Full-time
Compensation: $239,077
TG

Tamara Gingerich

Avp Finance/Controller
Full-time
Compensation: $215,542
NE

Niclas Erhardt

Dean Of Business Management
Full-time
Compensation: $211,010
JP

Jason Petrovich

Avp For Advancement
Full-time
Compensation: $181,419
JK

Jon Kilpinen

Dean College Arts & Science
Full-time
Compensation: $165,571
BO

Brian O'Rourke

VP Enrollment Management
Full-time
Compensation: $157,473
SJ

Steven Janowiak

VP Student Life
Full-time
Compensation: $127,778
RA

Richard Amrhein

VP/Community And Government
Full-time
Compensation: $107,760
MV

Mark Volpatti

VP Of Finance
Full-time
JD

Jose D Padilla

VP For Finance
PB

Pranati Bansal

Valparaiso, IN
JB

Jill Bodensteiner

Penn Valley, PA
EC

Emily Chase

Chicago, IL
CD

Craig Dwight

La Porte, IN
LG

Louie Gonzalez

Munster, IN
CG

Christopher Good

Larchmont, NY
CJ

Colette J. Irwin

Knott ’81, Zionsville, IN
CP

Christopher Petrini

Poli ’95, Lake Bluff, IL

Milestones

1950

Foundation Established

1950

Created to support community through philanthropic grantmaking and programs addressing needs.

2024

Current Grantmaking

2024

Operating with $167.3M in revenue supporting community organizations through grant awards.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AV
Amy Vie Director 1.0 hrs/week
AN
Andrew Nunemaker Director 2.0 hrs/week
BL
Bruce Laning Director 4.0 hrs/week
CS
Carolyn Schlie Femovich Director 1.0 hrs/week
CG
Chelsey Gordon Director 4.0 hrs/week
CI
Colette Irwin-Knott Director 5.0 hrs/week
CB
Cornell Boggs III Director 4.0 hrs/week
DB
David Bochnowski Director 2.0 hrs/week
FK
Frederick Kraegel Director 2.0 hrs/week
JM
James Mueller Director 5.0 hrs/week
JD
Jeffrey Dobbs Director 3.0 hrs/week
JD
John Draheim Director 3.0 hrs/week
JS
John Shelton Director 3.0 hrs/week
JW
Julie Winkler Board Vice-Chair 2.0 hrs/week
LB
Luther Brunette Director 2.0 hrs/week
MM
Marion Moon Director 4.0 hrs/week
MD
Mark Duesenberg Director 3.0 hrs/week
MH
Mark Helge Director 1.0 hrs/week
PS
Paul Strasen Director 3.0 hrs/week
PS
Philip Spahn Director 3.0 hrs/week
RH
Robert Hansen Jr Board Chair 4.0 hrs/week
SJ
Susan Jenny Ehr Director 6.0 hrs/week
SZ
Susan Zeeb Director 1.0 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2021)

$3.9M

Highest Paid

$551K

Jose Padilla

Compensated Officers

15

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Jose Padilla President (Began 1/21) $525,434 $25,666 $551,100 60
Mark Heckler President Emeritus $518,151 $10,475 $528,626 60
Matt Lottich Head Coach Men'S Basketball $331,843 $16,529 $348,372 60
Eric Johnson Provost & Executive VP $251,308 $17,866 $269,174 60
Darron Farha VP & General Counsel $239,077 $29,047 $268,124 60
Lisa Hollander VP For Advancement $252,949 $10,044 $262,993 60
Susan Scroggins End 922 Senior Vice President $218,093 $11,040 $229,133 60
Niclas Erhardt Dean Of Business Management $211,010 $9,642 $220,652 60
Tamara Gingerich AVP Finance/Controller $215,542 $600 $216,142 60
Mark Labarbera Director Of Athletics $182,442 $16,190 $198,632 60
Jason Petrovich AVP For Advancement $181,419 $12,601 $194,020 60
Jon Kilpinen Dean College Arts & Science $165,571 $17,561 $183,132 60
Steven Janowiak VP Student Life $127,778 $40,342 $168,120 60
Brian O'Rourke VP Enrollment Management $157,473 $7,759 $165,232 60
Richard Amrhein VP/Community And Government $107,760 $9,761 $117,521 60

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$721K Grants Received
16 Organizations

Top Funders

16 total
NC
National Collegiate Athletic Association
$275K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$198K
TC
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
$36K
TF
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
$32K
PC
Porter County Community Foundation Inc.
$29K
MS
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.
$25K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$24K
AO
Association Of Universities For Research
$18K
LE
Lutheran Educational Conference Of
$17K
LL
Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc.
$13K
+6 more funders
National Collegiate Athletic Association Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Porter County Community Foundation Inc. Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Association Of Universities For Research Lutheran Educational Conference Of Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund The Rifai Institute Inc. United Way Of Bergen County Columbus Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation
National Collegiate Athletic Association Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Porter County Community Foundation Inc. Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Association Of Universities For Research Lutheran Educational Conference Of Lutheran Legacy Foundation Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund The Rifai Institute Inc. United Way Of Bergen County Columbus Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with The Lutheran University Association Inc

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(219) 464-5215 (219) 464-5000

Social

Visit Website
1700 Chapel Drive Valparaiso, IN 46383