How 1 Man Plans to Raise $1 Billion for God’s Kingdom
The Heart Behind the Mission
Every once in a while, you meet someone whose life isn’t defined by money or status, but by an unwavering passion to advance the Great Commission. Steve Kaloper is the Founder and CEO of Development Services Group and DoingGoodBetter. Born and raised in Southern California, Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. Over the past 30+ years, he has built a diverse career—from mega-church ministry and financial advising at Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch, to serving with the Family Research Council and leading marketing for major ministries like Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Along with his wife of nearly 35 years, Shannon, Steve resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where they raised four children and established The DoingGoodBetter Foundation in 2010. Today, he uses an investment banking approach to philanthropy, serving high-capacity families and over 1,000 non-profit organizations worldwide under his mantra of "DoingGoodBetter."
Steve’s personal mission statement is ambitious: he aims to serve a thousand ministries, non-profit organizations, and families to help raise one billion dollars for God’s kingdom. Yet, when you talk to Steve, you immediately realize that he isn't driven by financial targets. What truly motivates him is the heart behind the numbers. He views wealth not as something to hoard, but as a practical tool for community service and spreading love to those in need.
When we look at Steve’s leadership style, it quickly becomes clear that he leads with empathy, humility, and warmth. He doesn't manage people from a distance; he walks alongside them, encouraging them to reach their full potential. For Steve, every organization or family he assists represents an opportunity for spiritual growth, where practical financial guidance intersects with deep, biblical faith.
In a world that measures success by personal net worth, Steve’s journey reminds us that true success is measured by how much we give away and how many lives we touch. His story invites us to re-examine our own daily priorities and ask what kind of legacy we are actively building.
From Uncertainty to Grace
Growing up in Southern California was far from easy for Steve. Coming from a broken home, his childhood was defined more by basic survival than by luxury or grand ambitions. During his high school years, he wasn't entirely sure what path his life would take. He carried a deep desire inside to accomplish something meaningful, but he lacked direction.
Determined to build a better life, Steve became the first person in his family to attend college. Stepping onto a university campus was both a massive triumph and a leap of faith into the unknown. During those formative young adult years, Steve and his future wife explored various Eastern philosophies and secular mindsets, searching for truth and ultimate purpose.
Yet, God’s grace had a way of finding him in the middle of his searching. While traveling abroad, Steve was gently challenged to read the New Testament for the very first time. Reading the words of Jesus opened his eyes to a love and purpose he had never experienced before. Shortly after, Steve and his wife both chose to surrender their lives to Christ, getting baptized together and beginning a new chapter rooted in faith.
Steve’s early life demonstrates that our background or past mistakes do not define our ultimate destiny. God often uses our periods of uncertainty and personal searching to prepare our hearts for a higher calling. Through divine grace, Steve transformed his rough beginnings into a rock-solid foundation for a life dedicated to serving others.
Understanding People to Build the Kingdom
After surrendering his life to God, Steve pursued higher education at the University of California, Irvine, focusing his studies on social ecology—a field blending sociology, psychology, and human behavior. He wanted to deeply understand how human beings interact with their environments, how cultures are formed, and what truly motivates people to make positive decisions.
Little did he know at the time, God was using his academic education to equip him with the exact skill set he would need decades later in the non-profit world. After gaining experience across corporate business, financial advisory, and strategic marketing, Steve felt a clear calling to focus entirely on stewardship and ministry growth. He realized that many wonderful Christian organizations struggled simply because they didn't know how to communicate their vision clearly or build strong, authentic relationships with their supporters.
Steve stepped into this gap to help non-profits rethink their messaging, refine their communication strategies, and cultivate genuine connections with donors. Instead of relying on high-pressure solicitations, Steve built a relationship-centered approach to fundraising. He believes that real generosity flows naturally out of loving relationships, shared values, and a deep, mutual commitment to practical faith.
Through his business work, Steve demonstrates how professional skills can be transformed when dedicated to God. He shows us that when we combine sound professional strategy with genuine, Christ-like care for people, we can create healthy organizational environments where both leaders and supporters thrive together.
The Art of Doing Good Better
At the core of Steve’s personal philosophy and business mission is a phrase that drives everything he does: "DoingGoodBetter." Steve firmly believes that good intention alone isn't enough; Christian organizations and families should strive for excellence, transparency, and integrity in everything they undertake for God.
Steve actively challenges ministries to look closely at their daily operations, communications, and long-term goals. He encourages leaders to move beyond basic efforts and build sustainable, highly effective strategies that honor God and respect the people who support them. His hands-on leadership style is filled with encouragement, inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones and trust God for far bigger outcomes.
A major part of Steve's work involves guiding couples and families through the rewarding process of kingdom stewardship. Applying an investment banking model to philanthropy, he helps them see that financial wealth is a God-given resource intended to bless others and advance the Gospel. By walking families through thoughtful, faith-filled giving plans, he empowers them to experience the joy of real generosity and make a tangible difference in their local communities.
This approach is the essence of practical christianity. It takes abstract concepts like faith, stewardship, and love, and turns them into everyday action. Steve teaches us that doing good isn't just about giving away spare change; it's about giving our very best effort, time, and resources to honor God and uplift humanity.
Living a Life of Purpose and Legacy
As christian entrepreneurs and leaders look at Steve Kaloper’s journey, one powerful lesson stands out: a life dedicated to serving Christ is the most fulfilling, joyful, and impactful path anyone can choose. Steve approaches every new day with enthusiasm, treating his work not as an exhausting job, but as an exciting, God-given privilege.
Steve’s story challenges all of us to look closely at our own lives, businesses, and personal ambitions. It prompts us to ask essential questions: What are we building toward? Are we focused solely on building our own temporary earthly kingdoms, or are we actively building God's eternal kingdom? How are we using our unique skills, talents, and financial gifts to bring light and hope to a broken world?
Integrating faith into daily work isn't reserved exclusively for pastors or full-time missionaries. Whether you run a local business, raise a family, manage a team, or study in school, you are called to embody christian living in everything you do. Every conversation, business transaction, and financial decision provides a fresh opportunity to reflect Christ’s love, integrity, and generosity.
Steve’s life is a living testimony that when you surrender your personal plans to God, He can take a chaotic past and uncertain beginnings and transform them into an extraordinary legacy of hope. Let his story motivate you to step forward today with fresh enthusiasm, embrace your unique calling, and discover the true joy of living a life fully surrendered to God.
Author: Jovilyn Abella
At ISU Corp, we specialize in custom software development and Ai integration, helping enterprises streamline operations and drive innovation. Trusted by industry leaders, we deliver scalable, high-performing solutions tailored to your business needs.
Explore how we can help: Learn More at ISUCorp.ca
“I have a life mission which is to assist and serve a thousand ministries and organizations and families to realize a billion dollars for the kingdom... under this mantra of doing good better.”
