Season 19: Leading in This Moment | Episode 3
Becoming the Kind of Ministry That's Ready for Investment
Overview
When most people hear the word "grant," they think of applications, deadlines, and dollars. But behind every funding decision sit far deeper questions: What assets is this organization stewarding, and to what end? What makes a church or nonprofit ready, not just for money, but for lasting impact?
This week on the Igniting Imagination® podcast, Rev. Lisa Greenwood pulls back the curtain on grantmaking with two colleagues from Texas Methodist Foundation and Wesleyan Impact Partners. She is joined by Wendolyn Abel, vice president of grants alongside Justin Gould, chief philanthropy officer. Together they reframe funding as a journey rather than a transaction, one rooted in relationship, curiosity, and trust in the local wisdom of the communities they serve.
Listen as Wendolyn, Justin, and Lisa explore why the ministries that are most ready know not just what they do but who they are and who they serve, how a "no" can become the first step of a lasting partnership, and why learning to quantify and share your story may matter as much as the grant itself.
Meet Our Guests
Justin Gould
Justin Gould is chief philanthropy officer of Wesleyan Impact Partners and Texas Methodist Foundation. Gould joined the staff of Texas Methodist Foundation in 2013 after nearly a decade serving in various fundraising roles at Southwestern University during its successful $150 million comprehensive campaign. Gould leads all aspects of TMF’s fundraising and gift planning programs. Gould holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, where he currently serves on the Board of Visitors. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Willamette University in Salem, OR. Additionally, Gould is a past president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Austin and holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation.
Wendolyn Abel
Wendolyn Abel serves as vice president of TMF’s Grants Ministry. She is a dynamic leader in serving under-resourced communities and has deep expertise in the measurement of outcomes and transformational change. In addition to her results-driven nonprofit management experience, Wendolyn brings fundraising, grant writing, resource development, coalition building, and advocacy skills to her role. Her experience developing logic models, data collection and analysis to guide strategic direction and decisions are instrumental in TMF’s trajectory toward resourcing systemic change.
Prior to joining TMF, Wendolyn served as Outcomes Manager for CitySquare, a nonprofit organization in Dallas offering comprehensive social services that address four key areas related to the persistence of poverty: hunger, health, housing, and hope.
Wendolyn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. In addition to CitySquare, she has worked with United Way, Salvation Army in Dallas, National Able Network, and the Jane Addams Hull House Association in Chicago.
Show Notes
Justin Gould is chief philanthropy officer of Wesleyan Impact Partners and Texas Methodist Foundation. Gould joined the staff of Texas Methodist Foundation in 2013 after nearly a decade serving in various fundraising roles at Southwestern University during its successful $150 million comprehensive campaign. Gould leads all aspects of TMF’s fundraising and gift planning programs. Gould holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, where he currently serves on the Board of Visitors. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Willamette University in Salem, OR. Additionally, Gould is a past president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Austin and holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation.
Wendolyn Abel serves as vice president of TMF’s Grants Ministry. She is a dynamic leader in serving under-resourced communities and has deep expertise in the measurement of outcomes and transformational change. In addition to her results-driven nonprofit management experience, Wendolyn brings fundraising, grant writing, resource development, coalition building, and advocacy skills to her role. Her experience developing logic models, data collection and analysis to guide strategic direction and decisions are instrumental in TMF’s trajectory toward resourcing systemic change.
Prior to joining TMF, Wendolyn served as Outcomes Manager for CitySquare, a nonprofit organization in Dallas offering comprehensive social services that address four key areas related to the persistence of poverty: hunger, health, housing, and hope.
Wendolyn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. In addition to CitySquare, she has worked with United Way, Salvation Army in Dallas, National Able Network, and the Jane Addams Hull House Association in Chicago.
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