Thrive
2024 Annual Report
Thrive
2024 Annual Report
Dear Friends & Partners,
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the extraordinary ways in which we have witnessed God’s hand at work through your generosity. Through your support, We Raise Foundation has had the privilege of partnering with nonprofit Christian organizations that are bringing hope and restoration to communities across the country. Together, we are creating opportunities through education, workforce development and reentry programs, offering a tangible expression of God’s love in places where it is needed most.
The stories we share in this annual report demonstrate what it means to truly thrive. They are stories of lives changed, communities strengthened, and opportunities created. From individuals overcoming significant challenges to neighborhoods being renewed, we see God’s vision for flourishing reflected in the work we have accomplished together.
As we look ahead, we are inspired by what is possible when we unite around a shared mission. Your prayers, partnership, and generosity enable us to nurture hope and create pathways to empowerment, fostering environments where dignity is restored and every person can embrace their God-given potential.
Thank you for your unwavering support. May this report serve as a reminder of the incredible impact we have made together and as an encouragement to continue building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
With gratitude and hope,

Mr. Mark Duesenberg
Chair, Board of Directors

Mr. Paul C. Miles
President and CEO

Dear Friends & Partners,
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the extraordinary ways in which we have witnessed God’s hand at work through your generosity. Through your support, We Raise Foundation has had the privilege of partnering with nonprofit Christian organizations that are bringing hope and restoration to communities across the country. Together, we are creating opportunities through education, workforce development and reentry programs, offering a tangible expression of God’s love in places where it is needed most.
The stories we share in this annual report demonstrate what it means to truly thrive. They are stories of lives changed, communities strengthened, and opportunities created. From individuals overcoming significant challenges to neighborhoods being renewed, we see God’s vision for flourishing reflected in the work we have accomplished together.
As we look ahead, we are inspired by what is possible when we unite around a shared mission. Your prayers, partnership, and generosity enable us to nurture hope and create pathways to empowerment, fostering environments where dignity is restored and every person can embrace their God-given potential.
Thank you for your unwavering support. May this report serve as a reminder of the incredible impact we have made together and as an encouragement to continue building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
With gratitude and hope,

Mr. Mark Duesenberg
Chair, Board of Directors

Mr. Paul C. Miles
President and CEO
Thrive
As we reflect on the past year, the word “Thrive” resonates deeply with the work we have accomplished together. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, We Raise Foundation has been able to support nonprofit Christian organizations making an enduring impact in communities across the country.
Through the programs funded by our grants, we have witnessed lives transformed and hope restored. These initiatives, focused on education, workforce development, and reentry programs, embody our shared commitment to creating a world where every person can flourish.
“Thrive” is not just a theme—it is a testament to God’s vision for His people. It is seen in individuals overcoming obstacles, communities becoming healthier places, and people embracing their God-given potential. Together, we are nurturing environments where dignity is restored, opportunities are created, and God’s love is felt.
Thank you for walking with us on this journey. Your generosity and prayers empower us to continue this vital work. May this report serve as a celebration of all that we have accomplished together and an inspiration for what lies ahead.
Let us continue to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of so many nonprofit organizations.
During Fiscal Year 2024,
over 575 individuals volunteered
their time with We Raise Foundation grantees for a total of
over 9,500 hours!

We Raise’s grant programs are about much more than money. Long-term successful programs and leaders also benefit from expert advice, connections with other inspired leaders, and additional funding opportunities. We Raise grants aim to provide both
financial support and expert resources
to strengthen the program for sustainable impact.
Total Program Support in FY2024
$1,175,164
Everything We Raise Foundation does is made possible by
our generous, faithful supporters.
We received donations from nearly 3,400 individuals
during fiscal year 2024.
Donors supported the work of We Raise in a variety of ways including planned gifts, IRA charitable rollover gifts, gifts of stock, memoriam/honorariums, and Thrivent Choice Dollars.
Grantee Highlight
Thriving in Chicago: Building Hope, One Life at a Time
MAAFA Redemption Project, Chicago. III.

Amidst the challenges facing Chicago’s West Garfield Park-one of the neighborhoods with the lowest life expectancies-a remarkable transformation is underway. Through initiatives like public plazas, grocery stores, and affordable housing, the community is reclaiming its promise. At the heart of this revitalization is We Raise grantee partner MAAFA Redemption Project, which empowers young men to break cycles of violence and poverty while fostering hope and resilience.
“We want the next generation to experience a community rebuilt from within,” says Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr., MAAFA’s executive director. This vision is being realized through innovative projects like the Sankofa Wellness Village — a $10 million campus set to open in 2025 — and MAAFA’s life-changing residential program.
MAAFA’s program equips young men with faith-based mentorship, workforce training in trades like construction and landscaping, and holistic development. Participants, like Dayquan Rollins, are transformed not only by the tools they gain but by the encouragement to thrive. After struggling with the streets, Rollins returned to MAAFA and embraced its mission. Today, he serves as an education remediation assistant, helping others achieve their high school diplomas.
Rollins reflects on his journey: “Anybody can change. The streets aren’t for everybody, but God is for everyone. I’m grateful for the donors who believe in programs like MAAFA that lift us up to do better.”
Through the faithful support of We Raise donors, young leaders in West Garfield Park are thriving, creating a strong, resilient community for generations to come. Together, we are building a future where every life has the opportunity to flourish.
Grantee Highlight
Thriving in Chicago: Building Hope, One Life at a Time
MAAFA Redemption Project, Chicago, Ill.

Amidst the challenges facing Chicago’s West Garfield Park-one of the neighborhoods with the lowest life expectancies-a remarkable transformation is underway. Through initiatives like public plazas, grocery stores, and affordable housing, the community is reclaiming its promise. At the heart of this revitalization is We Raise grantee partner MAAFA Redemption Project, which empowers young men to break cycles of violence and poverty while fostering hope and resilience.
“We want the next generation to experience a community rebuilt from within,” says Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr., MAAFA’s executive director. This vision is being realized through innovative projects like the Sankofa Wellness Village — a $10 million campus set to open in 2025 — and MAAFA’s life-changing residential program.
MAAFA’s program equips young men with faith-based mentorship, workforce training in trades like construction and landscaping, and holistic development. Participants, like Dayquan Rollins, are transformed not only by the tools they gain but by the encouragement to thrive. After struggling with the streets, Rollins returned to MAAFA and embraced its mission. Today, he serves as an education remediation assistant, helping others achieve their high school diplomas.
Rollins reflects on his journey: “Anybody can change. The streets aren’t for everybody, but God is for everyone. I’m grateful for the donors who believe in programs like MAAFA that lift us up to do better.”
Through the faithful support of We Raise donors, young leaders in West Garfield Park are thriving, creating a strong, resilient community for generations to come. Together, we are building a future where every life has the opportunity to flourish.
Grantee Highlight
Building Bonds to Thrive: Supporting Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Washington, D.C.

When 16-year-old Isaac fled his home country in search of safety and opportunity, he arrived in the U.S. alone in November 2023. Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) stepped in to help, connecting him with a foster mom who welcomed him into her home. To strengthen their bond and celebrate their unique journey, they attended the inaugural “Harmony Heights” retreat, a three-day experience designed to deepen trust and appreciation between unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) and their resource families.
The retreat, supported by a $15,000 Emerging Leader Grant from We Raise Foundation, was the vision of Brittany Livingston, LSSNCA’s director of Foster Care Services. “Families often get caught up in daily tasks and forget to nurture their relationships,” Livingston explained. “This retreat helps build trust and create joyful memories for youth whose pasts are marked by trauma.”
Through cultural exchanges, group activities, and a visual family book project chronicling each youth’s journey, the retreat fostered connection and healing. Isaac initially hesitated to reflect on his past but was moved when his foster mom presented her own book, celebrating his resilience and the joy he brought into her life. Their emotional bond grew deeper, leaving no dry eyes in the room.
Livingston credits the We Raise grant for making this transformative experience possible. The grant also supports her leadership development, equipping her to better serve vulnerable youth. “These young people arrive in America full of hope and determination,” Livingston said. “We Raise’s support enables us to help them and their families build the skills and stability needed to thrive.”
Your generosity fuels programs like Harmony Heights, helping unaccompanied minors and their resource families forge meaningful connections, heal from the past, and create a future filled with hope and opportunity. Together, we are empowering families to thrive.
Grantee Highlight
Building Bonds to Thrive: Supporting Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Washington, D.C.

When 16-year-old Isaac fled his home country in search of safety and opportunity, he arrived in the U.S. alone in November 2023. Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) stepped in to help, connecting him with a foster mom who welcomed him into her home. To strengthen their bond and celebrate their unique journey, they attended the inaugural “Harmony Heights” retreat, a three-day experience designed to deepen trust and appreciation between unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) and their resource families.
The retreat, supported by a $15,000 Emerging Leader Grant from We Raise Foundation, was the vision of Brittany Livingston, LSSNCA’s director of Foster Care Services. “Families often get caught up in daily tasks and forget to nurture their relationships,” Livingston explained. “This retreat helps build trust and create joyful memories for youth whose pasts are marked by trauma.”
Through cultural exchanges, group activities, and a visual family book project chronicling each youth’s journey, the retreat fostered connection and healing. Isaac initially hesitated to reflect on his past but was moved when his foster mom presented her own book, celebrating his resilience and the joy he brought into her life. Their emotional bond grew deeper, leaving no dry eyes in the room.
Livingston credits the We Raise grant for making this transformative experience possible. The grant also supports her leadership development, equipping her to better serve vulnerable youth. “These young people arrive in America full of hope and determination,” Livingston said. “We Raise’s support enables us to help them and their families build the skills and stability needed to thrive.”
Your generosity fuels programs like Harmony Heights, helping unaccompanied minors and their resource families forge meaningful connections, heal from the past, and create a future filled with hope and opportunity. Together, we are empowering families to thrive.
Grantee Highlight
Thy Kingdom Crumb: Serving Meals, Sharing Love, Thriving Together
AO1 Foundation, Zionsville, Ind.

When Carson Wentz was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, his brother Zach left his coaching job to help Carson launch Thy Kingdom Crumb (TKC), a mobile food truck ministry under Carson’s Audience of One Foundation (AO1). TKC provides free, high-quality meals in underserved areas, sharing God’s love while fostering community.
“Food is a powerful connector,” says Zach, executive director of AO1. “God used food to nourish and bless others, and we aim to follow His example by breaking down barriers and meeting people’s needs.”
We Raise Foundation awarded Zach a $15,000 Emerging Leader grant in 2023, supporting leadership development and helping TKC thrive in at-risk neighborhoods.
Since its founding, TKC has served over 100,000 meals and distributed thousands of Biblical resources. Volunteers greet, pray, and encourage guests, connecting them to local organizations and churches while sharing the Gospel. The Wentz brothers and their wives are deeply involved, from chopping vegetables to serving meals.
Relocating to Indianapolis in 2021, TKC expanded with a new 26-foot food truck. In 2023, TKC hosted 68 outreaches, served 11,200 meals, and responded to disaster affected areas like tornado-stricken Greenwood. Plans for 2025 include 90 outreaches and 11,500 meals, supported by the We Raise grant.
Carson, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, remains committed to TKC’s mission. “We’re reducing hunger and connecting people to resources for holistic health,” he says. “With We Raise, we’re just getting started, and more life change is coming!”
Your support empowers TKC to thrive, feeding bodies and souls, disrupting cycles of poverty, and building stronger communities for generations to come.
Grantee Highlight
Thy Kingdom Crumb: Serving Meals, Sharing Love, Thriving Together
AO1 Foundation, Zionsville, Ind.

When Carson Wentz was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, his brother Zach left his coaching job to help Carson launch Thy Kingdom Crumb (TKC), a mobile food truck ministry under Carson’s Audience of One Foundation (AO1). TKC provides free, high-quality meals in underserved areas, sharing God’s love while fostering community.
“Food is a powerful connector,” says Zach, executive director of AO1. “God used food to nourish and bless others, and we aim to follow His example by breaking down barriers and meeting people’s needs.”
We Raise Foundation awarded Zach a $15,000 Emerging Leader grant in 2023, supporting leadership development and helping TKC thrive in at-risk neighborhoods.
Since its founding, TKC has served over 100,000 meals and distributed thousands of Biblical resources. Volunteers greet, pray, and encourage guests, connecting them to local organizations and churches while sharing the Gospel. The Wentz brothers and their wives are deeply involved, from chopping vegetables to serving meals.
Relocating to Indianapolis in 2021, TKC expanded with a new 26-foot food truck. In 2023, TKC hosted 68 outreaches, served 11,200 meals, and responded to disaster affected areas like tornado-stricken Greenwood. Plans for 2025 include 90 outreaches and 11,500 meals, supported by the We Raise grant.
Carson, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, remains committed to TKC’s mission. “We’re reducing hunger and connecting people to resources for holistic health,” he says. “With We Raise, we’re just getting started, and more life change is coming!”
Your support empowers TKC to thrive, feeding bodies and souls, disrupting cycles of poverty, and building stronger communities for generations to come.
Grantee Highlight
Thriving Beyond the Pieces: A Journey to a New Life
Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry, St. Louis, Mo.

For Ashlee Gibbs, life after incarceration has been like assembling a complex puzzle – one piece at a time. Since her release in 2023, Gibbs has been rebuilding her life with the ultimate goal of reuniting with her six children. Thanks to the support of Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry in St. Louis, she is finding stability and purpose, proving that a thriving future is possible, even after years of struggle.
Keyway provided Gibbs with essentials like housing and life skills training, equipping her to navigate challenges she had never faced before, such as budgeting, job applications, and using public transportation. “Keyway gave me options and helped me break free from the cycle I was in,” she says.
We Raise Foundation and the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis recognized Keyway’s transformative work, awarding the organization a three-year, $500,000 GrantsPlus grant in 2022. This funding has allowed Keyway to expand its capacity, train staff to address the unique needs of justice-involved women, and provide comprehensive support, including vocational assistance, mentorship, and court advocacy.
Gibbs’ transformation is a testament to Keyway’s impact. She now holds a full-time assistant manager position, has reliable transportation, and is reconnecting with her children. “I feel like a puzzle being put together,” Gibbs shares. “Each piece represents an accomplishment. Completing treatment was one piece. Getting my own place will be another. When my kids are with me, my puzzle will be complete.”
With your support, formerly incarcerated women like Ashlee Gibbs are not only surviving – they are thriving. Together, we are fostering second chances, strengthening families, and transforming communities for generations to come.
Grantee Highlight
Thriving Beyond the Pieces: A Journey to a New Life
Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry, St. Louis, Mo.

For Ashlee Gibbs, life after incarceration has been like assembling a complex puzzle – one piece at a time. Since her release in 2023, Gibbs has been rebuilding her life with the ultimate goal of reuniting with her six children. Thanks to the support of Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry in St. Louis, she is finding stability and purpose, proving that a thriving future is possible, even after years of struggle.
Keyway provided Gibbs with essentials like housing and life skills training, equipping her to navigate challenges she had never faced before, such as budgeting, job applications, and using public transportation. “Keyway gave me options and helped me break free from the cycle I was in,” she says.
We Raise Foundation and the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis recognized Keyway’s transformative work, awarding the organization a three-year, $500,000 GrantsPlus grant in 2022. This funding has allowed Keyway to expand its capacity, train staff to address the unique needs of justice-involved women, and provide comprehensive support, including vocational assistance, mentorship, and court advocacy.
Gibbs’ transformation is a testament to Keyway’s impact. She now holds a full-time assistant manager position, has reliable transportation, and is reconnecting with her children. “I feel like a puzzle being put together,” Gibbs shares. “Each piece represents an accomplishment. Completing treatment was one piece. Getting my own place will be another. When my kids are with me, my puzzle will be complete.”
With your support, formerly incarcerated women like Ashlee Gibbs are not only surviving – they are thriving. Together, we are fostering second chances, strengthening families, and transforming communities for generations to come.
2023 RICHARD E. HERMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mr. Kevin Coker
The Leadership Award recognizes the commitment and service of one leader interrupting the cycles of poverty, violence, and inequality in the United States, whether through their professional work or as a volunteer. The Leadership Award was established in honor of Dr. Richard Herman, We Raise Foundation’s fourth president (2006-2015), a passionate supporter and encourager of young adult Christian leaders.

Kevin Coker serves as the chief attorney and CEO of Restoring Justice in Houston, Texas. Restoring Justice provides holistic, client-centered legal representation and social services to people who cannot afford an adequate lawyer, free-of-charge. As CEO, Coker provides leadership, strategic direction, and resource development for the day-to-day operations of the organization. As an attorney, he zealously represents marginalized individuals in state court who otherwise could not afford adequate representation.
Prior to joining Restoring Justice, Coker worked four years as a public defender with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office in Nashville, Tenn. He is a graduate of Gideon’s Promise’s CORE 101 public defender training program and has returned to Gideon’s Promise as a faculty member and regularly speaks on topics such as indigent defense, mass incarceration, and disparities within the criminal legal system.
Coker’s passion for social justice was developed while he was a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2015. He went on to earn a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville in 2018.
I am incredibly honored to receive the Leadership Award. This award gives me hope that Restoring Justice’s work to end mass incarceration can keep going even if it means impacting just one more person, reconnecting one more family, or inspiring one more community. This award has nothing to do with me and everything to do with faith that God’s promise is real. I am motivated to continue pursuing justice in the name of Jesus Christ because of We Raise’s commitment to freeing people from poverty, violence, and inequality.” — Mr. Kevin Coker
By generously investing in the work of our grantee partners, you are planting seeds of hope that empower individuals and communities to thrive. Your support reflects the words of Psalm 1:3, reminding us of God’s promise to bless those rooted in His work:
“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
Through your faith and generosity, you help cultivate lasting change, enabling others to grow, prosper, and experience God’s abundant blessings. We are deeply grateful for your dedication to our mission and for the profound impact your gifts have on countless lives. Together, we are nurturing a brighter future filled with joy, hope, and the opportunity for men, women, and children to truly thrive.



Program Expense is comprised of: Grants and Projects ($577,764), Program Education ($377,281), and Program Support ($220,119).
Total Net Assets at 6/30/24 were $11,462,947.
Ms. Marcella Brown
Vice President of Development and Communications, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, Cleveland, OH
Mr. Mark Duesenberg
Former Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Ferro Corporation, Rocky River, OH [CHAIR]
Mr. Bruce Laning
Managing Director, Wealthspire Advisors, Milwaukee, WI
Rev. Dr. Gerald Mansholt
Interim Senior Pastor, First United Lutheran Church, Sheboygan, WI [VICE CHAIR]
Mrs. Christine Messerschmidt
Associate, Thrivent Financial, Barrington, IL [SECRETARY]
Rev. Paul Schult
Senior Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church and School, Redwood City, CA
Ms. Amy Vie
Regional Sales Director, Alimera Services, Chicago, IL
Mr. Mike Wilson
Director of the Convention and Meeting Planning Division, American Veterinary Medical Association, Bloomingdale, IL
Ms. Christine Zrinsky
Executive Director, Millennium Park Foundation, Chicago, IL
Paul Miles
President and CEO
Meredith Capocci
Senior Accountant
Matt Croll
Director of Finance
Sandi Croll
Director of Finance
Rebecca Davis
Program & Events Coordinator
Shannon Durio
Vice President of Development
Jennifer Sievers
Manager of Advancement Services
Anne Schoenherr Turner
Director of Communications