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Explore resources and strategies to equip boards in fundraising and development, strengthening philanthropy, expanding partnerships, and sustaining the mission of theological schools.
  • In Trust Magazine Articles 308
  • Documents 5
  • News & Insights 12
  • Videos & Webinars 9
  • Podcast 5
The Census | The Giving Report
The Guardian

The Census | The Giving Report

Giving trends show how people align – or don’t – with religious institutions.

‘Do’s’ for trustees
Soundings

‘Do’s’ for trustees

Veteran nonprofit board member Frank P. Wendt offers four pointed comments and suggestions for building better…

Podcast picks | From our ears to yours
The Star

Podcast picks | From our ears to yours

These podcasts will help provide a way to work through change.

The truth about trust
The Crossing

The truth about trust

Cory Scheer, a former pastor, college administrator, and an expert on trust, explores what it takes…

Books | Shimmering summer
The Culture

Books | Shimmering summer

Two books offer summer reads that go well beyond the paperback by the pool.

The Joy of Fundraising
Feature Articles

The Joy of Fundraising

For Dr. Carla Maxwell Ray, there is a pure join in giving and raising funding for…

On Your Mind | Letters to the Editor
On Your Mind

On Your Mind | Letters to the Editor

Reader response about stewardship, fundraising, and good practices for the work.

Future Promise | Abundance
The Star

Future Promise | Abundance

Our president and board have spent time over the past three years in discernment about our…

Present Moment | Shared Governance
The Star

Present Moment | Shared Governance

Over time, shared governance has been sometimes defined less by mutual accountability and public responsibility, and…

Thou shalt raise money well
Feature Articles

Thou shalt raise money well

Three decades ago, Dr. David Allen Hubbard, then the president of Fuller Theological Seminary, offered seminal…

Five practices for stewarding seminaries well
Feature Articles

Five practices for stewarding seminaries well

For four decades, Steven Moore has worked with hundreds of nonprofit boards. What he has learned…

Governance Matters | Engaging well
The Guardian

Governance Matters | Engaging well

Dr. Jodi Porter provides a new tool to help schools frame the conversation around diversity, equity,…

Core Essential 4-Balanced Budgets Fundraising Goals
Document

Core Essential 4-Balanced Budgets Fundraising Goals

Budget building is a challenging process, especially when finances are tight, and board members should balance…

Storytelling
Guide

Storytelling

While financial control often seems like the key to influence, it’s storytelling that holds power. Boards…

Core Essential 4: The Board’s Role in Fundraising
Annual Report

Core Essential 4: The Board’s Role in Fundraising

There are two key components to a board's role in fundraising: Collective governance and individual involvement.

Five things your board needs to understand about fundraising
White paper

Five things your board needs to understand about fundraising

A menu of wise practices for boards
Template

A menu of wise practices for boards

Resource Grants: St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
News & Insights

Resource Grants: St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

Thanks to an In Trust Center Resource Grant, St. Tikhon's is transforming its marketing and governance.

Strategic Short: Turning Capacity Building Initiatives into Compelling Grants
News & Insights

Strategic Short: Turning Capacity Building Initiatives into Compelling Grants

Series of video shorts exploring how theological school leadership can strengthen economic vitality and mission fulfillment.

In Trust Monthly Newsletter, April 2023
News & Insights

In Trust Monthly Newsletter, April 2023

Wise Advice on Fundraising, Change is good, and much more.

The Ten Commandments for Development Officers
News & Insights

The Ten Commandments for Development Officers

Former Fuller Theological Seminary president's rules for fundraising offer prudent and timeless advice.

In Trust Monthly Newsletter, November 2022
News & Insights

In Trust Monthly Newsletter, November 2022

Long-term leaders beat the odds, raise money like a pro, and much more…

What to know about endowments
News & Insights

What to know about endowments

What's an endowment and how do you use it? A financial expert who serves on the…

Tell your school’s story in three sentences
News & Insights

Tell your school’s story in three sentences

Can you tell a story in three sentences? If you can, you have a chance to…

Growing your school with planned giving
News & Insights

Growing your school with planned giving

David Heetland, an experienced leader in theological education, is a well-regarded fundraiser with a track record…

Don’t be afraid: Asking for Three Loaves of Bread
Videos & Webinars

Don’t be afraid: Asking for Three Loaves of Bread

Join faith-based fundraising expert, Dr. Lori Guenther Reesor, as she shows how to create bold, clear…

Grant Proposal Writing Best Practices
Videos & Webinars

Grant Proposal Writing Best Practices

In this dynamic webinar, Kristal Frazier will review the fundamentals of grant proposal writing.

3 C’s of Funder/Donor Communication
Videos & Webinars

3 C’s of Funder/Donor Communication

Join keynote speaker, consultant, and founder of FundJoy, LLC, Kristal Frazier, as she provides proven strategies…

Charitable Giving: 7 Key Takeaways for Faith-based Organizations
Videos & Webinars

Charitable Giving: 7 Key Takeaways for Faith-based Organizations

Join fundraising expert Carla Maxwell Ray, Senior Generosity Strategist at Generis, as she breaks down data…

Articulating your grant vision
Videos & Webinars

Articulating your grant vision

Considering new grant work but wondering how to articulate your vision?

Fear and faithfulness in fundraising- How to navigate uncharted waters during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Videos & Webinars

Fear and faithfulness in fundraising- How to navigate uncharted waters during the COVID-19 Pandemic

How and when to communicate with donors during the pandemic are tough questions to answer. Join…

Restarting Active Fundraising During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Videos & Webinars

Restarting Active Fundraising During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, and Ted Rodgers, Executive Consultant of The FOCUS Group,…

A Culture of Generosity
Videos & Webinars

A Culture of Generosity

As advancement strategists, we are called to eliminate a one-size-fits-all fundraising model, but that may require…

Ep. 86: Cultivating generosity in givers and theological education
Podcast

Ep. 86: Cultivating generosity in givers and theological education

Dr. Rebekah Burch Basinger sees fundraising as a vital ministry that can shape faith and fuel…

Ep. 45: Beyond fundraising: Helping people be generous
Podcast

Ep. 45: Beyond fundraising: Helping people be generous

What does it take to raise money? At its heart: generosity. In her career, Dr. Carla…

Ep. 42: Stewarding seminaries well
Podcast

Ep. 42: Stewarding seminaries well

The Rev. Dr. Steven Moore, CEO emeritus of the M. J. Murdock Trust, says leaders in…

Ep. 30: Energizing your board for fundraising
Podcast

Ep. 30: Energizing your board for fundraising

Fundraising expert Dr. Carla Maxwell Ray shares how boards can engage for – and be energized…

Ep. 13: Dirty Money
Podcast

Ep. 13: Dirty Money

Rebekah Burch Basinger, Ed.D., an expert in theological education governance and fundraising, discusses how leaders in…

Upcoming & Recent Webinars

The In Trust Center hosts learning community spaces throughout the year. Check out our upcoming and recent ones below.

Strategic Shorts

Videos & Webinars

Strategic Shorts

Video Series for Building Institutional Capacity The Rev. David Rowe, Ph.D., Project Director for the Governance Initiative and…

Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and the Role of Boards

Videos & Webinars

Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and the Role of Boards

Focus on the critical role boards play in large-scale collaborations

Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and Difficult Personnel Decisions

Videos & Webinars

Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and Difficult Personnel Decisions

How theological schools can navigate complex personnel decisions during large-scale collaborations.

Large-scale Collaboration and Change of Control

Videos & Webinars

Large-scale Collaboration and Change of Control

The formal process of transferring control between institutional boards