Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Pledges $1 Million to Aid Hurricane Katrina Victims; Response Expected to Generate at Least $3 Million for Relief

Business Wire, August 31, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced today it is pledging $1 million to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The funding will supplement financial gifts by Thrivent Financial's 2.8 million members (customers of the organization) to disaster relief organizations aiding hurricane victims and provide Thrivent chapters (member-volunteer groups) and Lutheran congregations in hurricane-affected areas with additional funding to meet needs in their communities. Thrivent Financial's disaster response efforts are expected to generate at least $3 million.

"Our heart goes out to all those who have suffered loss as a result of this natural disaster," said Brad Hewitt, Thrivent Financial senior vice president of fraternal operations. "Supporting the ways in which our members express their care for others is an important part of our mission. We believe our members will give generously to those affected by this hurricane and our volunteer network will rally to take action on behalf of devastated families and communities."

The organization will supplement member gifts by $1 for every $2 dollars given, up to $300 per member (e.g., if a member gives $600 to a relief organization, Thrivent Financial will provide the relief organization with an additional $300 in funding). Relief organizations eligible for this funding include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Domestic Disaster Response, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Relief/Human Care, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Committee on Relief, or Lutheran Disaster Response.

In addition, Thrivent Financial is providing additional funding for its Care in Regions(R) program in hurricane-affected areas. This program provides $1 for every $2 raised by Thrivent chapters (local member-volunteer groups) to address local needs in communities.

Thrivent Financial members interested in making a financial gift to help hurricane victims can download a Hurricane Katrina Response Form from Thrivent Financial's Web site at: www.thrivent.com. Those without Internet access can call: 1-800-236-3736 and ask for a Hurricane Katrina Response Form. The completed form and financial gift should be sent to any of the designated Lutheran relief agencies. The relief agencies will then return the form to Thrivent Financial for supplemental funding.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit Fortune 500 financial services organization helping 2.8 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

Securities are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665, 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Member NASD. Member SIPC.