Eileen Denner, co-founder and chief servant officer of the Iowa Christian Generosity Council, joins the Catholic Morning Show to explain how a small prayer group of Christian business leaders grew into a network of more than 47 Christ-centered nonprofits across Iowa. She makes the case that biblical generosity is a calling rather than an obligation, and that fundraising is really a ministry of relationship. Eileen also previews Ignite Your Legacy, ICGC's annual no-ask thank-you dinner on September 14 at the Ron Pearson Center, and shares how Iowa Catholic Radio listeners can win a seat at the table.
Eileen Denner, co-founder and chief servant officer of the Iowa Christian Generosity Council, sits down with Deacon Mark Campbell for her first appearance on the show. Eileen tells the origin story: a handful of Christian business leaders who spent two years praying about what God was calling them to do for their community, and who kept coming back to the nonprofits around them that declare Christ in their mission. What started as a few lunches has become a network of more than 47 Christ-centered nonprofits, plus individual members, meeting for quarterly luncheons and workshops on everything from donor relationships to AI.
Eileen and Deacon Mark dig into what makes ICGC unusual: nobody asks for money at any ICGC event, ever. Eileen explains why she frames fundraising as a ministry of relationship rather than a transaction, and why generosity received as a calling — instead of a "have to" — opens a person up to being led where God actually wants them. Deacon Mark, speaking as a nonprofit leader himself, describes what the luncheons offer small staffs on tight budgets: rare space to collaborate, share best practices, and be spiritually nourished rather than pitched. And when people ask whether putting 47 nonprofits in one room breeds competition, Eileen's answer is simple — you can be competitive once all the needs are met.
The conversation turns to Ignite Your Legacy, ICGC's signature annual gathering and a thank-you dinner for the mission partners and donors who support member ministries. This year's theme is Shine Your Light, and it moves to a larger venue to fit a growing crowd:
Ignite Your Legacy is invitation only, but Iowa Catholic Radio has a listener table this year. The first five people to text ICGC to 515-223-1150 will each receive a pair of tickets.
Learn more about the council and its membership at ICGC Iowa, see upcoming events at icgciowa.org/events, and read more from the speaker at Ignite Your Generosity.
Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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