Marcia Shetler suggests that congregations ought to have a legacy plan in place for members.
Resources
Resource Library
Lake Institute’s Resource Library collects and curates a wide range of resources that can help deepen understanding and practice at the intersection of faith and giving.
Search by keywords or browse by themes to find current research, leadership insights, inspiring stories, discernment guides, theological reflection, and more.
Featured Resources
The Faithful Generosity Story Shelf highlights congregations and other religious organizations who have sought to use their assets and resources in creative—and sometimes surprising—ways as an expression of faithful giving.
The Center for the Church and the Black Experience and Lake Institute on Faith & Giving were proud to co-host the 2025 Symposium on Philanthropy and the Black Church. Focused on faith communities in the Black Church, the event united leaders across sectors to build trust, foster strategic partnerships, and reimagine philanthropy through the lens of faith, legacy, and mutual respect.
Erica Dollhopf, Ph.D., Meredith McNabb, and Dr. Carlos Perkins explore the newest data on religious giving and share key insights from the Giving USA 2025 report.
Resources
This issue of Giving Magazine focuses on Living Generously and emphasizes the ways generosity allows donors to be present and feel a part of something bigger than themselves.
Live Generously is a companion resource for Giving Magazine Volume 19.
Dr. William Enright shares how in giving generously we become a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Keith A. Mundy writes how an annual stewardship emphasis can strengthen generosity in your congregation.
Jonathan Walton, Ph.D. introduces the Prosperity Gospel and demonstrates how it has its roots, in part, in the industrial revolution and valorization of business enterprise.
Mike Little and Susan Taylor highlight the complexity clergy often have in their relationship with money.
This issue of Giving Magazine focuses on Living Simply, including practical tips to cultivate contentment individually and as a congregation, as well as sample sermon topic outlines on the subject.
Live Simply is a companion resource for Giving Magazine Volume 18.
While receiving gifts of stock involves additional steps on the part of the receiving ministry, the ability to make stock gifts lets donors make larger, more tax-efficient gifts. This guide will help your congregation understand how to receive and receipt stock gifts.
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Insights is a bi-weekly e-newsletter for the religious community and fundraisers of faith-based organizations that provides:
- Reflections on important developments in the field of faith and giving
- Recommended books, studies and articles
- Upcoming Lake Institute events
