Editor’s note: This article examines how Bishop T.D. Jakes has successfully integrated philanthropy into his business strategy, creating both social impact and business growth.
Bishop T.D. Jakes has built an empire that extends far beyond his role as pastor of The Potter’s House, a 30,000-member church in Dallas. His business portfolio includes real estate development, film production, bestselling books, and leadership conferences. What sets Jakes apart from many business leaders is how he’s woven philanthropy into the core of his business strategy.
“I’ve found that giving back isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for business,” Jakes explained during a recent business summit. His approach challenges traditional views that separate profit-making from charitable giving. For Jakes, the two work together in what business experts call “shared value creation.”
The T.D. Jakes Foundation, established in 2020, focuses on workforce readiness in underserved communities. Rather than operating as a separate charity, the foundation connects directly with Jakes’ business ventures. This integration creates pathways for participants to move from training programs into employment opportunities within his companies or partner organizations.
When Jakes developed a 95-acre mixed-use property in Atlanta, he included affordable housing units alongside market-rate homes. The project created construction jobs for graduates from his foundation’s training programs. This approach turned what could have been a simple donation into a sustainable cycle of economic opportunity.
His media company follows similar principles. T.D. Jakes Films produces content that addresses social issues while remaining commercially viable. “Woman Thou Art Loosed” began as a sermon series, became a bestselling book, and then a successful film that sparked conversations about abuse while generating significant revenue.
Business strategist Michael Porter of Harvard Business School has documented how this type of integrated philanthropy creates competitive advantages. Companies that address social problems through their core business often discover new markets and innovation opportunities. Jakes seems to have intuited this concept years before it became a business school case study.
“Traditional philanthropy treats symptoms. Business-integrated giving changes systems,” Jakes said at a recent economic forum. This philosophy explains why his charitable work focuses on economic mobility rather than temporary relief.
The financial results speak for themselves. Jakes’ business holdings continue to grow, with revenues estimated in the hundreds of millions annually. His approach attracts partners who share his values. JPMorgan Chase collaborated with the T.D. Jakes Foundation on a workforce readiness initiative that prepared over 5,000 individuals for careers in technology.
Small business owners can apply Jakes’ principles without his resources. Identifying how your business skills or products might address community needs creates opportunities for meaningful impact that builds your brand simultaneously. A restaurant might address food insecurity while gaining loyal customers. A technology company might provide digital skills training while developing future employees.
Jakes emphasizes authenticity in these efforts. “People can tell when you’re just checking a corporate social responsibility box versus when you genuinely care,” he notes. His philanthropic work began long before it became strategically valuable, giving it credibility that newer corporate initiatives sometimes lack.
The COVID-19 pandemic tested Jakes’ approach. When many businesses paused charitable giving to focus on survival, Jakes expanded his foundation’s efforts. He provided grants to small businesses struggling during lockdowns while offering virtual training programs for displaced workers. These efforts strengthened community relationships that benefited his businesses during recovery.
Critics occasionally question whether Jakes’ business success contradicts his spiritual message. He addresses this directly: “Prosperity isn’t just about accumulation—it’s about circulation. Wealth creates the capacity to solve problems at scale.” This philosophy explains why his wealth-building messages come paired with calls to reinvest in community development.
Business leaders across industries have started studying Jakes’ model.
