Elizabeth Lynn and Susan Wisely outline four traditions of philanthropy: relief, improvement, social reform, and civic engagement.
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.
This Insights explores how your organization’s “digital front door” shapes giving and engagement. Meredith McNabb shares practical guidance on strengthening your website and online presence to support donor trust and accessibility, while Emily Heck expands on this perspective with strategies for improving search engine optimization (SEO) and AI-readiness. Together, they offer actionable ways to ensure your digital presence both reflects your mission and helps people find—and support—your work.
Drawing on recent research from Givelify and philanthropic scholars, David P. King, PhD, examines the gap between religious donors’ desire to give consistently and their actual giving patterns. He explores how congregations and faith leaders can foster generosity by framing giving not simply as a financial transaction, but as a spiritual practice rooted in habit, reflection, and community.
Resources
Luke Timothy Johnson challenges us to think carefully about the relationship between faith, especially in scriptural terms, and philanthropy or how we share our possessions.
Martin Marty, Ph.D. offers an original prescription for certain market-related ills of our time.
Robert Wuthnow, Ph.D. argues that we need to consider religion and giving in relation to the important social and cultural changes which are taking place in our society and in our world at the start of the 21st century.
This stewardship material was written by Clark Hargus, Disciples of Christ pastor, and has been used successfully by small membership congregations throughout North America for more than two decades.
This collection of resources which reference Christian Scripture in order to promote generosity toward the church.
This collection of resources focuses on moving toward a mindset of giving freely as instructed by Jesus in Christian scriptures.
This collection of resources which reference Christian Scripture and are intended to inspire fiscal generosity toward the church.
This collection of resources includes handouts which tell stories and reference Christian scripture intended to encourage generosity in congregants.
This collection of resources which reference Christian Scripture and promote stewardship and generosity toward the church.
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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

