Turning Belief Into Action: From Crisis-tunity to Consistent Giving
What if sustainable giving isn’t just a funding strategy, but part of your mission itself?
In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, Dave Raley sits down with with Eddie Kahler, Executive Director of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Christian University, to unpack an honest, hopeful, and highly practical story of transformation. What started as a looming funding deadline quickly became a breakthrough moment, one that reshaped how Eddie and his team think about generosity, discipleship, and long-term impact.
Recorded live during our Sustainable Giving Workshop last week, this conversation traces TCU Wesley’s journey from cautious experimentation to nearly quadrupling their recurring giving in just one year.
Along the way, Eddie shares what surprised him most, what fears were disproven, and how leaning into community (rather than doing everything alone) made all the difference.
Key Topics They Cover:
From Crisis to “Crisis-tunity”
A looming staffing funding gap became the catalyst for innovation, reframing urgency as opportunity and sparking meaningful change.
Recurring Giving vs. One-Time Gifts (Spoiler: They’re Not Competing)
Eddie shares how leading with monthly giving actually increased overall donations during key campaigns, including a major giving day.
Turning Donor Insight Into Resonant Messaging
Alumni surveys revealed one powerful word—home—which became the heart of TCU Wesley’s recurring giving program and donor storytelling.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
From students with design skills to board members stepping into donor communication, sustainable giving became a shared effort, not a solo grind.
When Generosity Becomes the Mission
A mindset shift from “fundraising supports ministry” to “growing generosity is ministry” with powerful implications for leadership, discipleship, and donor relationships.
So what might change if you stopped seeing recurring giving as a tactic... and started seeing it as formation?
Watch or Listen:
Watch this episode now by clicking the video above, or by visiting Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Key Resources:
Learn more about TCU Wesley
Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn
Discover more about RISE
Connect with Dave on LinkedIn
Special thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.
