Reconciling Works

What Reconciling Works does

ReconcilingWorks is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It advocates for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of LGBTQIA+ Lutherans across their congregations and broader community, and explicitly does not receive funding from any Lutheran denomination. Its core program, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program launched in 1983, provides a nationally recognized public designation that Lutheran faith communities can adopt to publicly commit to welcoming LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people; it has grown to over 1,000 RIC Partners across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA, 13% of congregations, synods, and ministries) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC, 7%).

The organization's product surface spans educational resources (booklets, PDFs in English and Spanish on topics including SOGIE, racial equity, youth and family ministry, and creation care), structured training programs (Bias & Its Impact on Welcome, Building an Inclusive Church, Consent in Community Building, Intercultural Development Inventory, SOGIE workshops), worship and liturgical resources, community programs (Bible Study, Book Club, Community Care, Relocation Preparation), and branded merchandise (PRIDE items, RIC-branded goods, fundraising apparel). Distribution is primarily digital and multi-channel, leveraging etapestry (donations, booklets, PRIDE merchandise), Bonfire (fundraising apparel), Zazzle (RIC branded items), and the organization's own website. Technology is a website-based content platform with no proprietary AI/ML, API, or app components documented.

Revenue is generated predominantly through individual donations and gifts, which together represent approximately 90% of the annual budget. Supplementary revenue comes from self-determined annual contributions made by RIC Partner faith communities, grants from foundations supporting LGBTQIA+ and racial-equity work, and merchandise and training sales. Each RIC Partner sets its own 'meaningful contribution' amount based on its annual budget, with no fixed pricing tier. The customer base is composed almost entirely of individual Lutheran congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and outdoor ministries in the United States and Canada.

Name

Reconciling Works

Legal name

ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation

Website

https://reconcilingworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ReconcilingWorks is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that runs the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program for Lutheran faith communities committing to LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC welcome, alongside training, educational resources, and community programs funded primarily by individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-based Advocacy Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Advancement Services & Donor Operations (CRM, Gift Processing, Stewardship) (EDALAOAD)

Keywords

• LGBTQIA+ faith inclusion
• Religious equity advocacy
• Faith community training
• Inclusive worship resources
• Nonprofit advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Gifts: Almost 90% of ReconcilingWorks annual budget comes from individual gifts and donations from supporters.
2. Faith Community Contributions: Annual meaningful contributions from RIC Partner faith communities support the national RIC program.
3. Grants: Grant funding from foundations and organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ justice work and racial equity initiatives.
4. Resources and Trainings: Sale of educational materials including booklets, PDF downloads, PRIDE merchandise (buttons, pins, stickers), fundraising items (shirts, sweatshirts), and RIC items (banners, mugs, rugs).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ReconcilingWorks is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people within the Lutheran Church. Its flagship offering is the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program, a public recognition program through which congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and other Lutheran-affiliated faith communities publicly affirm welcome and inclusion. The organization also provides educational and worship resources, training programs, and community support programs (Bible Study, Book Club, Community Care, and Relocation Prep), alongside branded merchandise sold to support its mission.

Product overview

ReconcilingWorks operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the Lutheran Church. The organization's core offering is the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program—a public recognition initiative established in 1983 that allows faith communities to publicly commit to full welcome, inclusion, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people and racial equity. This is supported by a portfolio of educational resources (booklets, PDFs, training materials), training programs (bias awareness, inclusive church building, SOGIE education), worship resources, and merchandise products (PRIDE items, fundraising apparel, RIC-branded goods). The organization also facilitates community programs including Bible Study, Book Club, and Community Care. The RIC Program represents 13% of ELCA and 7% of ELCIC congregations, synods, and ministries, with over 1,000 RIC Partners. Revenue is generated through individual donations, RIC Partner contributions, and curated resource/training sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program: A public program for faith communities to see, name, celebrate, and advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions in the Lutheran church.

Products and services

• Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program A public recognition program through which Lutheran-affiliated faith communities formally affirm their welcome of LGBTQIA+ people. Includes a process for applying, annual renewal, and listing as an RIC Community.
• Community Programs Group-based programs including Bible Study, Book Club, Community Care, and Relocation Prep, designed for individual LGBTQIA+ Lutherans and allies seeking community, support, and engagement with the ReconcilingWorks mission.
• Educational and Worship Resources Print and digital materials developed to support faith communities in implementing inclusive practices and to educate broader audiences on LGBTQIA+ inclusion within Lutheran traditions.
• Training Programs Capacity-building training programs for RIC communities, leaders, and members seeking to develop deeper understanding and practical skills for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in faith settings.
• ReconcilingWorks Branded Merchandise Apparel and branded items (PRIDE merchandise, fundraising apparel, RIC branded goods) sold to individuals and supporters to advance visibility and generate revenue for the organization's mission.

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• RIC Partner Faith CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983Over 1,000 faith communities including congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, outdoor ministries, and other Lutheran organizations partner with ReconcilingWorks through the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program. These partners publicly commit to welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)coreOthersWhile ReconcilingWorks is formally recognized by ELCA and the RIC Program represents 13% of ELCA congregations, synods, and ministries, ReconcilingWorks does not receive funding from the denomination.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): The largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, with which ReconcilingWorks maintains formal recognition and partnership. While not a competitor, ELCA sets the policy and governance environment in which ReconcilingWorks' 13% of congregations operate.

Direct peers

• More Light Presbyterians: LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Operates a parallel network of affirming congregations and offers comparable educational resources, training, and advocacy comparable to ReconcilingWorks' RIC Program.
• Reconciling Ministries Network: LGBTQIA+ inclusion organization for United Methodist Church, operating an analogous 'Reconciling' designation program. Directly comparable to ReconcilingWorks given the parallel naming convention, faith-based recognition model, and ministry focus on welcoming LGBTQIA+ members.
• Open and Affirming (UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns): Coalition supporting LGBTQIA+ affirming United Church of Christ congregations through an 'Open and Affirming' designation program. Directly analogous to ReconcilingWorks' RIC Program in mission, structure, and denomination-specific advocacy.
• Integrity USA: Episcopal LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization supporting affirming Episcopal Church communities. Operates a parallel recognition/affirmation program with educational resources, comparable in mission and operational model to ReconcilingWorks.
• Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ+ Interests: LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization for Brethren and Mennonite denominations. Comparable to ReconcilingWorks as a small-donor-supported nonprofit advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion within traditional Anabaptist-Mennonite faith communities.
• Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists: Baptist LGBTQIA+ affirming network operating a Welcoming and Affirming designation program. Directly comparable in providing a public recognition framework for faith communities committed to LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
• Keshet: Jewish LGBTQIA+ equality organization providing education, training, and resources to make Jewish communities inclusive. Closely comparable in mission, training-based service model, and faith-based inclusion focus.
• Affirmation (LGBTQ+ Mormons): LGBTQ+ Mormon/LDS advocacy organization supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies within the LDS community. Comparable mission to advocate for full participation and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members within a faith tradition.
• Dignity USA: Catholic LGBTQIA+ organization advocating for inclusion and full participation. Shares a similar mission of advocating for LGBTQIA+ welcome within an established denomination, with comparable educational, advocacy, and community programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ReconcilingWorks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reconcilingworks-lutherans-for-full-participation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reconciling Works