OUR STORIES

Investing in Faith. Building a Legacy.

The Trinity Roselle Foundation celebrates the impact of faithful generosity—real stories of how gifts, grants, and endowments strengthen Trinity Lutheran Church and School. Through the support of dedicated donors, the Foundation continues to provide resources that advance ministry, education, and community outreach in Roselle and beyond.

Dave Ficken, LINC Chicago at Trinity Roselle Foundation 2025

Dave Ficken, City Director for LINC Chicago, thanks Trinity Roselle Church and the Trinity Roselle Foundation for their generosity and shares how their support is helping fuel gospel-centered impact across Chicagoland. He explains LINC’s mission to empower and coach local missionary leaders who are already rooted in their own neighborhoods, believing long-term city transformation happens when leaders are equipped to serve the people and places they know best.

Dave frames the work against a sobering regional backdrop of church closures and shrinking congregations while emphasizing the opportunity to reach nearly 10 million people with the gospel through relationships and community-based engagement. He highlights LINC’s training and coaching model, including a seven-week accelerator, that helps leaders move from uncertainty to confidence and action. He also shares stories of creative outreach, such as a church-based pottery studio that created a welcoming space for neighbors to connect and hear the gospel in a natural way.

Looking ahead, he outlines LINC’s focus on sustainable growth through expanded church partnerships, a new city advisory and ambassador team, and a pilot collaboration with Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago’s Galewood neighborhood. This pilot embeds a LINC leader alongside the church to build partnerships with nonprofits and businesses, strengthen outreach, and help maintain a meaningful gospel presence in the community. He closes by expressing gratitude and inviting continued partnership in the work ahead.

2024 Grant Impact:
$146,933 in Support

In 2024, the Foundation distributed more than $146,000 to strengthen key areas of Trinity’s mission, from education to ministry operations.

Highlights include:

  • $15,000 – Architecture Fees (Child Daycare)

  • $18,000 – IT Management Services Support

  • $4,355 – Church Best Practices Conference

  • $15,000 – Tuition Grant-in-Aid

  • $5,000 – Renewal of Digital School Curriculums

  • $4,000 – Special Resource Teacher Support

  • $67,178 – T-Fund Tuition Assistance

  • $17,400 – School Tuition Assistance

  • $1,000 – Paul Troyke Memorial Scholarship

These grants directly enhance our ability to serve families, expand outreach, and sustain Trinity’s mission for future generations.

A gymnasium filled with children and adults wearing orange, black, and pink clothing, seated on wooden bleachers, with some standing and talking. There is a basketball hoop on the right side and banners hanging on the wall from various high schools.

Trinity Lutheran Church: Supporting Ministry Growth

During Fiscal Year 2025 (through September 30), the Foundation awarded grants to strengthen the ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church, providing resources that touch lives and grow faith.

Recent grants include:

  • $10,000 – Replacement of kitchen/FLC doors

  • $10,000 – Youth Ministry Programs

  • $7,000 – Outreach Ministry Programs

  • $4,000 – Baptism Book Program

Each grant helps Trinity create welcoming spaces, nurture spiritual growth, and extend Christ’s love throughout the community.

A woman standing on a small stage holding a bouquet and a gift bag, addressing an audience of children and adults in a church or community hall with colorful stained-glass windows.

Trinity Lutheran School: Growing with Purpose

As enrollment at Trinity Lutheran School continues to rise, the Foundation’s tuition grants and scholarship support remain vital to ensuring that every family has access to a Christ-centered education.

Over the past four years, our Grant-in-Aid program has provided consistent support to families in need:

  • Fiscal Year 2024: 15 families received assistance totaling $57,350, with tuition set at $6,825 for the first child.

  • Fiscal Year 2023: 25 families were supported with $45,490 in grants, while first-child tuition averaged $6,500.

  • Fiscal Year 2022: 21 families benefited from $51,223 in aid, with tuition at $6,000.

  • Fiscal Year 2021: 26 families received $36,700 in assistance, with tuition at $5,900.

Through these growing funds, the Foundation continues to make Christian education more accessible for Trinity families while helping sustain the school’s mission of faith-based learning.

A young girl with curly dark hair and a pink hair clip, wearing a pastel pink and yellow tie-dye T-shirt, is standing in front of a black chalkboard with a schedule written on it. She is holding a spiral notebook and a pen, looking thoughtfully to the side.

Legacy of Faith: The Story of Ethel Schwolow

A Lifetime of Blessing, A Gift That Endures.

Ethel Schwolow was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle. Born in 1921, she became a student at Trinity Lutheran School in third grade. Her grandmother wanted her to “learn to pray.” Ethel remained in the Roselle area, raising her family and faithfully serving her church.

When Ethel passed away in 2023 at the age of 102, her devotion to Christ and Trinity continued through her estate gift to the Trinity Roselle Foundation—a lasting expression of gratitude and faith that will bless future generations.

Two women inside a red convertible car with signs on the side. The signs read 'Grand Marshal Bockfest Parade' and 'Ethel Schwolow, Longtime Resident of Roselle, 101 Years.' The elderly woman in the passenger seat is smiling and waving, while the woman driving is looking forward. It is rainy outside.