Giving While Living: Sharing in Abundance Locally and Globally

Dan and Lisa Malmstrom have long believed that the best way to steward their gifts is to give generously to others in the region and world during their lifetime. 

The couple’s giving principles are faith-based, reflected most notably in the biblical parable of the barns. 

“We believe our talents, opportunities, and harvest are all provided day-by-day, and we’ve chosen to keep only what we need to live,” Dan said. “And that releasing and entrusting our gifts to others at the time they’re earned enables God to multiply them now, rather than storing up wealth and treasures for later. In essence, the time of our lives matters to God in the spectrum of human impact.”

Generosity Learned by Example

Lisa’s parents, Stan and Lois, set an example of this type of living early on.

“My parents were schoolteachers born and raised in the 1930s,” Lisa explained. “They were farm kids who worked their way through college and settled on a small farmstead near Albert Lea, Minnesota, where they raised four children. As a couple, they lived simply and with hearts that generously served others—abundantly—keeping only what was needed to provide for our family.”

Through their generosity, Stan and Lois witnessed returns that went far beyond material wealth—returns that outweighed the extra comforts their savings might have provided had they simply left their hard-earned money in the bank.

Living by example, Stan and Lois instilled their generosity in their 13 grandchildren. Several chose a life in public service, influenced by their experiences traveling with Stan and Lois to participate in mission trips in Colombia to help build orphanages. Those mission trips showed a need unlike anything they’d seen in Otter Tail County.

Envisioning a Thriving Community

For Dan and Lisa, this way of living continues to guide their work beyond financial giving. Gifts of service from boots-on-the-ground volunteering, serving on boards, mentoring, leading bible studies, and bringing communities together to envision and work towards a thriving future. 

The City of Battle Lake is a shining example of this work. Fifteen years ago, the Malmstroms and a group of Battle Lake residents had an idea of how they wanted their town to grow. 

“We wanted to create a community where we all wanted to live,” the Malmstroms said. “A community, school, and park that would bring young people back with opportunities to make a good living and raise healthy kids.”

The group had a vision but needed partners. West Central Initiative stepped up and provided a grant to get them started. Dan shared that this small ripple of generosity started a tsunami of support that helped build a vibrant community, including new trails and facilities in and around Glendalough State Park.

Dan and Lisa enjoy sharing the Battle Lake story. Their exuberance for helping others is inspiring. If a community has a shared vision and is ready to roll up its sleeves, inviting a team that has gone through the process can be just the boost needed to get the project over the finish line.

Their entrepreneurial spirit is ongoing. Years of creating, building, and then handing over successful businesses for others to lead provided the means to do greater work in service to their surrounding community.

Building a Lasting Legacy Locally

When deciding to invest locally, the Malmstroms looked for a partner and again turned to West Central Initiative to create a donor advised fund to make giving to the causes they care about easy. Based on their giving goals, they knew that West Central Initiative would be a perfect fit, especially with its regional reach and ability to invest in the community they love.

The region needs and appreciates partners like Dan and Lisa. In west central Minnesota, we’re neighbors who care about neighbors, and we work together to ensure a future where all can thrive.  

To learn more about how you can get involved through charitable giving to and through West Central Initiative, please learn more or reach out to us at wcif.org/regional-giving/.