Blog
Stories, ideas, and research from the people and congregations we work with.
Fieldworks Design Sprint Report: Moving Money to Develop Church Land
A visual report from a 2025 design sprint where 60 leaders designed ways to fund church land development for community good.
What About Taxes!? A Guide for Churches Earning Income
A free decision tree to help churches understand the tax questions that come with renting space, social enterprise, or other income.
Article: Our Church Is Making Money. What About Taxes?
Two experts in faith-based social enterprise explain why tax questions shouldn't stop your church from trying something new.
Where to Start: A Free Guide for Faith Leaders on Shifting Ground
A free guide for faith leaders who aren't sure what to do with their church's resources, and want help with the next step.
Impact Investing Resources for Churches
A free starter collection of resources to help church finance committees learn about investing for social good as well as returns.
Research: Tax Implications for Faith-Based Social Enterprise
Can churches earn income without losing tax-exempt status? A Duke University study for RootedGood looks at the questions.
How to Rent Well: A Guide for Churches Renting Out Space
A guide to help churches rent out space in a way that serves their mission and actually brings in more money than it costs.
Podcast: The Church Isn't Broke, with Mark Elsdon
Mark Elsdon talks with John Terrill on the Upper Word podcast about his book We Aren't Broke and the hidden resources churches hold.
Article: Investing in the Future as a Way of Repairing the Past
Mark Elsdon on the hidden wealth many U.S. churches hold, where it came from, and two ways churches can support repair.
Podcast: Mark Elsdon on Why Churches Aren't Broke
On the Spiritual Capital podcast, Mark Elsdon explains how church land and buildings can be resources for mission, not burdens.
Article: What Could Churches Do with Billions of Dollars?
Mark Elsdon on how impact investing could transform faith communities, and how to imagine the possibilities for your church.
Let's Talk About Resources: A Conversation Tool for Churches
A tool with case studies and a simulation game to help churches imagine new ways to use their resources for their community.
Money and Mission Alignment Tool
A framework to help nonprofits and churches see how the way they earn money supports, or works against, their mission.
Video: Economic Innovation in the Church
RootedGood's founders on economic innovation in the church, from the October 2020 Faith+Finance Church Economics conference.
Article: How One Campus Ministry Funds Itself Through Student Housing
Religion News Service on how Pres House combined church property, impact investment and mission to build a sustainable ministry.