Maximizing Impact with Strategic Giving
Thoughts on giving from Jeff Wallace — President of the National Christian Foundation in Chicago
After 25 years in the trading industry I was feeling a pull toward something more impactful, something beyond just success. That feeling began my journey into what would eventually become my role today - helping others bring their passions together with real world impact using strategic giving.
My journey here wasn’t linear though—it was more like a series of nudges from the Lord. For two years, I wrestled with what “doing more for the kingdom” could look like. I played a lot of golf, had a lot of conversations, and turned down a lot of opportunities. Then I learned about donor-advised funds through the National Christian Foundation (NCF), and it clicked. This was the way I could use my financial expertise to help others maximize their giving—and ultimately amplify the impact of generosity.
A lot of people think generosity is just about giving cash, but that’s only a small piece of the puzzle. Most people’s wealth isn’t in their bank account—it’s in their balance sheet: their homes, stock portfolios, real estate, businesses, or even retirement accounts. Once people understand this, it opens up incredible possibilities.
For example, I worked with a couple who owned appreciated stock. Instead of selling the stock, paying capital gains taxes, and then giving what was left, I showed them how to donate the stock directly to charity. This allowed them to avoid taxes entirely, receive a deduction for the full market value, and give 25% more than they thought they could.
One of my favorite stories involves a father who wanted to teach his kids about generosity. He set aside $20,000 for them to give away as a family. At Thanksgiving, they each had to present their ideas for how to allocate the money.
It wasn’t just about the charities they chose—it was about the values they were passing down. This simple exercise created opportunities for meaningful conversations and showed how generosity can be part of a family’s legacy. At the end of the day, I want people to know that they can connect their resources with their passions using strategic giving.
““My question for anyone considering strategic giving is this; ‘What’s one step you can take today to give differently and make a bigger impact?’ Sometimes, the smallest changes can unlock the greatest blessings.””
Generosity isn’t about the size of the gift—it’s about the heart behind it. And when people start to see how their giving can multiply and transform lives, it’s a game changer—not just for the world, but for their own journey of faith.
Listen to our Full Interview with Jeff on the Collective Impact Podcast:
Jeff Wallace
Jeff Wallace is the President of the National Christian Foundation (NCF) in Chicago, where he helps individuals and families maximize their impact through strategic generosity. With a background as a CPA and over 25 years of experience in the trading industry, Jeff combines financial expertise with a deep passion for advancing the Kingdom.
Jeff is known for his practical, heart-driven approach to generosity. Whether it’s helping a family navigate the tax benefits of giving or collaborating with charities to make a greater impact, Jeff thrives on connecting people’s resources with their passions. His work often involves leveraging innovative strategies to amplify giving and support global projects.