In this Issue:

• • Learning From One Another’s Generosity Story
  • What Actually Moves Her to Give: Proximity, Trust, and Spiritual Practice
  • Fall 2026 ECRF Scholarships – Due Next Week
  • Join Us for the 21st Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture

By Terra Seidel, Doctoral Student & Catalyst for the Women, Wealth & Faith Research

Recently I was talking with a friend about why, as people of faith, we need to keep learning from one another’s “best practices” in generosity – how we volunteer, how we give, and how we steward the resources God has entrusted to us. I found myself getting passionate, describing why it matters that women share what has actually worked in real life, and my friend smiled and said, “You’re a researcher at heart.” If the title of this article caught your attention and you’re still reading, there’s a good chance that the description fits you, too. 

Two years ago, as I became more aware, through personal experience, of the tremendous rise of women as creators and inheritors of wealth, I went looking for research on Christian women and giving. I wanted to hear directly from my peers: What motivates “whole-hearted” generosity? What gets in the way? Do women who give through local community circles and women who unite nationally to support work around the world feel like they have a voice? 

The more I looked, the clearer the gap became. So, I raised my hand and said I’d be willing to take on this project – with friends. I’m fortunate to call thought leaders in this space friends, and together we formed a consortium to listen to Christian women across the country. Number one on my list to be by my side were the experts at Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, whom you already know and trust. They did the heavy lifting for the Women, Wealth & Faith research study commissioned by Women Doing Well, and along the way, Erica Dollhopf, Ph.D. Associate Director of Research on the Lake team, has become my “soul sister”; we worked so closely together. 

So, what do our friends and peers say? (Drum roll, please!) 

From the very first wave of findings, one reality comes through loud and clear: Christian women are at the center of a historic shift in wealth and generosity. 

The data confirms what many of us have sensed: Christian women are central to household generosity decisions. The majority actively participate in decisions about charitable giving, and many quietly play the leading role. At the same time, women report tension around giving within marriages and a strong preference for collaborative decision‑making, working together with spouses, family members, and trusted advisors. 

Another strong signal from the research is that women increasingly seek values‑aligned relationships with financial advisors, ministry partners, and nonprofit leaders. They are not only asking, “How much should we give?” but also, “Does this partnership reflect our faith, our values, and our understanding of stewardship?” 

One of the clearest themes emerging from the study is the role of confidence. Confidence in financial understanding, confidence in one’s sense of calling, and confidence in navigating complex decisions all show up as powerful predictors of generosity. 

Women who feel confident about their financial understanding and their God‑given calling are far more likely to act on their desire to give, rather than keep that desire in the “someday” category. As women gain experience making giving decisions, their confidence and strategic clarity tend to grow, and with it, their generosity. 

The hopeful news is that, across multiple studies, Christian women consistently show high levels of generosity in both time and financial giving, often exceeding national averages. KEY TAKEAWAY: The desire is already there; the opportunity is to help women move from good intentions to confident impact. 

Remember that this research is only a beginning. My hope in initiating this project and in inviting Lake Institute to be the first group to join me is that we will keep learning together. The more we understand how Christian women experience calling and generosity, the better we can walk alongside them in stewarding God’s resources with wisdom. 

Data like this is a gift, but it only becomes truly valuable when it is put into action and shapes the way we pray, plan, talk about money, and ultimately, give. Insights on women’s wealth and faith are not meant to sit on a shelf or live in a PDF; they are meant to inform real conversations in our faith communities and guide wiser decisions in our households. To inspire ministries to engage women more intentionally and collaboratively. 

My hope is that these findings will encourage each of us to take at least one concrete next step, whether that means starting a conversation, joining a circle, revisiting a giving plan, or simply asking better questions about impact. After all, if this research has resonated with you, then perhaps, like me, you are a “researcher at heart,” eager not just to collect data but to turn what we’re learning into faithful, generous action. 

Terra Seidel has devoted her career to advancing philanthropy, guided by a deep commitment to biblical generosity. What began as a personal calling has grown into a passion for bringing people together to create collective impact. She is dedicated to helping others discover and live out their own generosity stories. Currently pursuing a doctorate focused on the intersection of wealth and faith, Terra recently served as Project Director for the Women, Wealth & Faith research initiative, which explores the motivations and practices of Christian women’s generosity. As a member of one of the inaugural Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising courses, Terra has remained actively engaged with the program for more than a decade, investing in the development of future faith-based fundraising leaders.