Mission
Trinity Education Foundation provides scholarships and guidance to students at Christian colleges and seminaries to foster academic success and to inspire vocational development reflecting the Gospel’s values of love, justice, and healing for the sake of the world.
Vision
To see graduates embark on meaningful vocations and constructively impact their communities in response to Christ’s calling to lives of service and stewardship of God’s creation.
Values
We value the time-honored traditions of Christian service, education, and unconditional love to benefit all of God’s creation.
History
Trinity Education Foundation was formed in 2007 as a supporting organization to Trinity Lutheran College. Since then it has continued its mission of providing financial support and guidance for students throughout the Northwest. Many know Trinity Lutheran College by its former name, Lutheran Bible Institute-Seattle, which was founded in 1944. Like many such institutions, the college experienced declining enrollment in recent years, and saw its final graduating class in 2016. The Foundation then decided to continue and expand its core mission by helping students attending accredited Christian colleges in the region. The tradition of helping young people acquire a strong Christian education is continuing—through the support of our generous patrons.
1944
Lutheran Bible Institute-Seattle (LBIS) opened downtown, moving soon afterward to the north Seattle neighborhood of Greenwood. Students were offered programs in biblical studies, theology, and missions. Courses in Christian education and youth ministry soon followed.
1979
LBIS moved eastward to the Providence Heights area of Issaquah, Washington. The new campus was situated on 39 wooded acres formerly owned by the Sisters of Providence.
1982
LBIS was formally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
1999
LBIS changed its name to Trinity Lutheran College to reflect its growing programs and degrees.
2007
Trinity Education Foundation was established as a supporting organization to Trinity Lutheran College to provide scholarships to students attending the college.
2008
Trinity Lutheran College relocated to downtown Everett, Washington. The former Port Gardner building was remodeled, adding to a campus that now included a Campus Center, adjacent parking garage, and two nearby student apartment buildings. TLC offered bachelor’s degrees in 10 majors and 17 minors, as well as two-year associate degrees in biblical studies, one-year certificates in professional studies, and one-year certificates in biblical studies. TLC maintained its distinctiveness as a biblically-centered institution by requiring all bachelor’s students to complete the Trinity Crux Curriculum, which included biblical studies, spiritual formation, and service learning.
2016
TLC announced its intent to cease operations and the college closed in the summer.
2019
Continuing the legacy that inspired the founders of Lutheran Bible Institute and Trinity Lutheran College, Trinity Education Foundation is providing educational opportunities to foster academic success and inspire vocational discernment for new generations of college students.