Reverend Dr. David P. King

David P. King is the Karen Lake Buttrey Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. A historian of American religion, King explores how faith-based nonprofits' religious identities shape their motivations, rhetoric, and practices. His book God's Internationalists (UPenn Press, 2019) traces the history of World Vision, examining the evolution of evangelical humanitarianism and international development.

Since joining IU Indianapolis in 2014, King has helped build the field of religion and philanthropy through interdisciplinary research, national convenings, and critical scholarship. He co-edited Religion and Philanthropy in the U.S. (IU Press, 2020) with Philip Goff and serves as Co-PI of the National Study of Congregations' Economic Practices, the largest study of congregational finances in a generation.

With nearly $5 million in grant support, King leads initiatives that explore how congregations and faith traditions engage in giving. An ordained minister, he bridges scholarship and practice by working closely with faith leaders, donors, and fundraisers. Through Lake Institute's executive training and national speaking engagements, King fosters conversations at the intersection of faith and generosity. His work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR, and more.