Madison Illges Executive Director Mite Project Poverty Giving Generosity Donor Finish Line Podcast
Finish Line Podcast Episode 156

Madison Illges, Executive Director of Mite, on the Importance of Celebration in Giving

You want to steward God’s resources faithfully. But questions about generosity, calling, and impact are rarely simple.

In this conversation, you’ll hear from someone who has walked through these kinds of questions and learned along the way. Listen for the next step God may be inviting you to take.


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Meet your guide

Madison Illges, Executive Director of Mite, was brought up in a large family that modeled a heart of generosity. Before Madison was even born, her father experienced a simple but life-changing moment of joy in giving—a spark that would one day grow into a vision for helping others celebrate generosity in community. That vision became reality in 2016 when Mite was launched with a mission to make giving better.

Mite is a giving fund that helps donors connect with trusted global projects while removing the guesswork that so often makes giving complicated. Their team researches and vets development projects around the world—spanning education, health, child development, disaster relief, and more—so that givers can confidently support causes they’re passionate about. And as those projects are completed, Mite goes the extra mile to bring the stories home, showing donors how their generosity has impacted real people and communities in more than 25 countries.

Madison stepped in as executive director at a young age and for nearly a decade she has seen God use technology, creativity, and faithful obedience to multiply impact and remind us that generosity is ultimately a celebration of what He is doing around the world.

What you’ll gain

  • The Watermelon Party Story
  • How advancing technology brings donors to the field 
  • The impact of the widow’s mite story on Madison’s life
  • A deep dive into the vetting and reporting process
  • How Mite discovers healthy organizations to partner with 
  • Analyzing an organization’s theory of change
  • The beauty of community in generosity
  • Celebrating God in generosity

Inspired? Take your next step

Try the Game of Life Simulator

Step into a four-minute interactive experience and see what unfolds as you decide how to manage your resources.

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Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot

Inspired? Learn how to partner with ministries well.

A compelling ministry story can inspire you to respond. But wise partnership often begins with better questions.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Focus

What is the ministry really seeking to restore?

Learn to look beyond visible needs toward people, context, relationships, and flourishing.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Fruitfulness

How do you recognize meaningful impact?

Consider how ministries learn, evaluate their work, and pursue lasting change.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Faithfulness

What does genuine ministry partnership look like?

Explore how to foster trust, alignment, and shared mission in your giving.

In our Intervention Series on the Applied Generosity Podcast, we’ll help you become a more thoughtful, discerning, and faithful partner.

Start the Series

Quotes to Remember

  • “Generosity loosens greed, provides an opportunity to cultivate joy, and aligns us with God’s Kingdom values.”
  • “Jesus made note of what the widow gave. And it had nothing to do with how much the widow was dropping in, but it had everything to do with where her heart was in her giving.”
  • “There are thousands of fantastic organizations out there that just need financial backing and a cheerleader to come alongside them and help their mission succeed. So we didn’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel.”
  • “Project at Mite isn’t considered completed until it’s been filmed.”
  • “People have different passion areas which may change with the season they’re in, so people can generally find a Mite project that interests them now and in the future when their interests shift.”
  • “Mite is doing our best to build community within what we do, but I have also seen as I visit our donors that they are building little pockets of community on their own with what their doing, and Mite just happens to be one of the vehicles they’re using.”
  • “Generosity is an opportunity to celebrate with God in the work He’s doing on Earth.”
  • “We know that if you start being generous when you have little, you’re highly likely to be generous when you have much.”
  • “What we are after is what Jesus was after with the widow—we’re after the heart in generosity, not the amount that they’re giving.”
  • “Don’t wait to arrive. Give now and watch what God can do with your giving.”

Links from the Show

Bible References from the Show

Mark 12:41-44 | The Widow’s Offering  

Matthew 6:21 | Treasure from Your Heart  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

John 3:16 | God, The Ultimate Giver  

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.

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Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.
Generosity Profile Image
Enter your information below and we’ll send you our free PDF guide to explore the specific adventure you were called into.
Generosity Profile Image

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