In this special edition of Insights, Lake Institute staff look back on the moments, milestones, and lessons that shaped our work in 2025 while also casting a vision for what lies ahead in 2026.

In this edition of Lake Insights, explore conversations on the past, present, and future of faith-inspired generosity. Dr. Jack Wertheimer, Lake Institute’s 2025 Distinguished Visitor, discusses the history and patterns of Jewish giving, while Managing Director Elizabeth Le’anani Coffee reflects on how faith leaders can shape a generous imagination that transforms communities beyond their own.

In this week's Insights, Josh Packard, PhD, highlights how younger generations express generosity through small, authentic acts of impact—micronarratives that prioritize trust, immediacy, and connection over institutional giving. David Edwards offers a lived example of that same spirit through a childhood lesson in presence and sacrifice. Together, their reflections reveal that generosity today is less about grand gestures or systems and more about showing up intentionally, faithfully, and meaningfully for others.

David P. King, PhD, explores how faith-based organizations play a vital and often overlooked role in disaster response, offering resilience and hope when crises strike. Complementing his reflections, Rev. Rebecca Gurney shares a moving account from her North Carolina congregation in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, illustrating how generosity, community, and faith come together to restore both roads and hearts.

This issue of Insights explores innovative expressions of generosity within faith communities. Dr. Carlos W. Perkins reflects on the impact of ECRF cohorts designed for Black Christian leaders, highlighting how these spaces cultivate generosity, leadership, and legacy in culturally resonant ways. We also feature Dr. Anthony Riley’s story of applying ECRF tools to inspire his congregation at Central Baptist Church in Saint Louis, raising significant support for community outreach.

In this issue of Insights, Elizabeth Le’anani Coffee reflects on generosity as a spiritual practice shaped by faith and cultural heritage, reminding us that it is less about what we give up and more about how we are bound together. Building on her vision, David P. King, PhD, highlights how stories and practices of generosity can expand trust, strengthen communities, and guide Lake Institute’s mission in today’s changing landscape. Together, their reflections point us toward a richer understanding of generosity that connects research, practice, and lived experience.

In this edition of Insights, we take a closer look at the language and practice of stewardship in congregational life. Mark Sampson challenges churches to move beyond stewardship’s focus on ownership and ask deeper questions about the purpose of their resources, while David King reflects on whether “stewardship” has become too broad or too narrow to remain useful.

Drawing on insights from Meredith McNabb and Tiffany Bennett-Cornelous, Ph.D., this edition highlights the Constituency Model as a practical tool for identifying and engaging donors based on their relationship to your mission. From building trust with new supporters to mobilizing internal and external networks for shared goals, both articles remind us that effective fundraising is rooted in cultivating meaningful, purpose-driven relationships.

What does the lifecycle of a donor look like? In this issue, Rachel Perten explores how faith-based organizations can accompany donors through each stage of their philanthropic journey—from their first gift to a lasting legacy. An Expanded Perspective by Rev. Dave Sigmund shares a moving story of lifelong generosity, illustrating how planned giving can be both a reflection of the legacy we hope to leave and the values we choose to live out today.