Faculty, staff and students of Concordia College have yet another reason to smile.

The Wisconsin-based Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, recently awarded the college with a $100,000 grant Monday inside Concordia’s Bakke Chapel. The two-year “Expanding the Circle” grant will be used to reach the wider Lutheran community and inform, increase awareness and bring support to Concordia. The first check of $75,000 was awarded this year and $25,000 will be given in 2012, in time for the school’s 90th anniversary celebration.

Concordia president Dr. Tilahun Mendedo said Concordia is grateful for the organization’s benevolence in making the grant possible.

“Thrivent has been a long-standing friend of Concordia and we look forward to our continued relationship in the future,” Mendedo said.

Vice president of Thrivent Tim Schwan said he is delighted to assist Concordia through the award.

“We trust that this support will strengthen Concordia’s funding base so that it can expand its educational programs and campus to its ever-growing student body,” Schwan said.

Part of the foundation’s Lutheran Grant Program, the grant is designed to assist Lutheran organizations and those they serve in achieving economic security and sustainability. In 2010, the program distributed more than $1.6 million through 42 separate grants.

The Thrivent Financial for Lutheran Foundation is a private foundation funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. A 501(c)(3) organization, Thrivent is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational purposes and makes grants and gifts to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations, not individuals.