Do you want to make a meaningful impact and steward your finances wisely? The new IRA charitable giving limits make it easier to support the causes you love.
New Limits for 2025 – Secure Act 2.0
The annual Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) limit, previously set at $100,000, has been increased to $108,000 per individual for 2025, according to the retirement provisions of the Secure Act 2.0 bill. A married couple with separate IRAs can contribute a combined total of up to $216,000 annually. In 2025, if you are 70 ½ years old or older, you may use a QCD to donate to qualified charities directly from an IRA.
This is good news for Influence Lab Partners who want to give a special year-end donation to our mission. The Influence Lab is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Established in 2014, we’ve earned Guidestar’s Silver Transparency Award with Candid.org, considered the most widely adopted symbol of transparency for nonprofit organizations in the U.S. This translates into heightened value for our partners, who can support the work of The Influence Lab and Influence Women with trust and confidence.
Why Your Partnership is Critical
Phil and Kathleen Cooke train the media team at the 60,000 member Christ’s Commission Fellowship church in Manila.
The digital age has placed an increased demand on ministries to elevate their media and digital strategies to share the gospel. The Influence Lab has stepped up to meet that need,thanks to the generous support of our partners, going to places where strategic training is not readily available or accessible.
Invitations from other countries requesting our help come in almost weekly. To say “yes” to these requests requires ramping up funding to meet the need.
Gain the Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving in 2025
If you would like to take advantage of the tax benefits of charitable giving through your IRA and partner with us in the mission, give your donation here.
Your partnership with The Influence Lab impacts nations, and through the branch of Influence Women, enables and inspires Christian filmmakers and creatives to produce content with a positive impact on culture.
See the Impact of Your Partnership with The Influence Lab
Here are just a few of the testimonies we’ve received:
“For more than 15 years, Phil and Kathleen Cooke have made a profound impact on media (and church) leaders across Australia and New Zealand… Their leadership remains outstanding, and their voices are deeply valued within the Church and the Christian media landscape.” —Nathan Brown, CEO – Christian Media & Arts Australia
Phil and Kathleen with Pastor Peter and Deonna Tan-Chi in Manila.
“Phil and Kathleen Cooke have made a significant impact on our pastors and media leaders at Christ’s Commission Fellowship. Phil opened our eyes to the power of media and communication in a world where attention spans grow shorter and clarity is more essential than ever. His teaching challenged us to steward every tool—technology, creativity, and skill—to present the unchanging message of the gospel clearly and compellingly. We are deeply grateful…” —Pastor Peter Tan-Chi, Christ’s Commission Fellowship, a 60,000-member church in Manila, Philippines
“As a singer/songwriter artist in the entertainment industry, Influence Women’s events has always been something I have looked forward to. It’s like iron sharpening iron where you meet others of your tribe: women of all generations in the entertainment industry and connect with new friends, possible future collaborators, or mentors. It’s great to know that we are not alone on this journey.” —Florence LaRue, Vocalist, The 5th Dimension/Actress-/Author of “Grace in Your Second Act”
“Influence Women is shifting and shaping the culture for women in media everywhere at any age. With a focus on empowering women, they’re building a vibrant community where support, encouragement, and networking thrive.” —Jaclyn Quisenberry, Producer/Entertainment Marketing Professional and Biola University Alumni
2025 has been a challenging year for the film and television industry in Hollywood. Below-average productions and layoffs at major studios, in part due to AI, have spurred many to relocate to other production hubs like Atlanta and Nashville.
Women gather in at the Hollywood Influence Women event.
But for those female filmmakers who choose to soldier through the tough times in LA, the recent Hollywood Influence Women event “Unshakeable: Trusting God’s Voice in Your Career and Life Decisions” gave inspiration and encouragement. The gathering was a poignant reminder of the mission of Influence Women and why we exist under the banner of The Influence Lab.
THANK YOU to our Influence Lab and Influence Women partners for making moments like this possible! In today’s cultural climate, your support is especially important in encouraging Christian filmmakers and media professionals in their work. Read on for a new opportunity!
Kathleen Cooke, the founder and global director of Influence Women, attended the Hollywood event. She reports:
“Beautifully hosted by IW Hollywood Chapter Director, DeAnna Kane, the event featured Wendy Griffith, 700 Club news anchor and journalism veteran, and Peyton Hoffman, Fortune 500 consultant and author. Despite the challenges in LA as industry work slows and AI changes the industry, the IW community is supporting one another while standing firm on God’s word and his promises.
Peyton Hoffman shares with DeAnna Kane in Hollywood.
Peyton Hoffman shared her inspiring journey of how God has brought her work, despite the industry slump, from unseen places as she leaned into Him. Wendy Griffith shared how she met her husband after many years of being single. She encouraged the women to believe that God fulfills the desires of our hearts as we seek Him first and consistently stay engaged with Him.”
Kathleen also spoke at the event, sharing how God continues to teach her obedience and uncompromising faith. She used her story to challenge the women to stay strong in their faith as they wait for the perfect job, career break, or the man God has for them.
She encouraged, “God sees you. He knows you. He is El-Roi, the God who sees.”
NEW CHAPTER GROUPS!
Phoenix launched on November 2nd!
You’ll find Influence Women groups in major production hubs across the nation like Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and more! On November 2nd, we launched Influence Women Phoenix… and Influence Women Miami, Florida launches January 2026!
With each new launch, comes added expenses. Even though our directors donate their time and energy, we still have hard costs that must be met.
Can you help? Will you help support these women in their endeavors to produce media – film, music, art – with a Christian worldview? Give your gift today!
Increasing influence! Founder and global director of Influence Women, Kathleen Cooke was invited to Washington DC this September to attend meetings of the White House Faith Office. She joined Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor of the White House Faith Office; Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, best-selling novelist Bodie Theone, Christian women’s writer and international leader Lisa Bevere, and other key leaders gathered to share faith initiatives for the nation.
Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary speaks at the White House Faith Office meetings.
“Those in the Faith Office are championing religious freedom for all,” shares Kathleen, “and they are especially working toward policies focused on a biblical worldview.”
Kathleen was honored to speak on behalf of Influence Women and advocate for the need to support women creatives in their artistic endeavors. She was joined by Influence Women Prayer Coordinator Peyton Hoffman and Influence Women board member Caltha Seymour. Kathleen emphasizes, “It’s so important to support women working in media. We can change what we are seeing on our screens.”
Coming up – Congressional Meetings and a Faith Briefing at the White House Kathleen travels to DC again this October for a series of meetings, including an invitation to a national Faith Briefing at the White House and a Congressional breakfast for Women on the Hill.
As a past Congressional Women of Distinction, she will also attend a She Leads America Women of Distinction Reception and an international luncheon with She Leads America/UK delegates for conversations on how to bring cultural change through biblical foundations and a renewed Christian worldview.
Why This Matters for Influence Lab Partners
Kathleen travels to DC again this October with an invitation to attend a national Faith Briefing at the White House.
God is growing the influence of Influence Women. That means that your partnership has increasing reach and impact. Thank you.
We can change what people are seeing on their TV and phone screens. Through the mission of The Influence Lab, we can change culture – in the U.S. and abroad.
Your partnership supports the media training and support we give to pastors in other nations AND the initiatives of Influence Women to support women in arts, media and entertainment. Give a gift and let’s keep the momentum going! Give your gift here.
Need a keynote speaker for your next event? Kathleen Cooke is an inspiring and thought-provoking speaker. Invite Kathleen to speak at your next conference or event here.
In a day when you can hardly trust the news, long-term partnerships are priceless – especially when crossing cultures and languages! This month, The Influence Lab celebrated with our contacts in Russia on the 30th anniversary of their church. Phil was invited to send a congratulatory video to Moscow, and it was an honor to be a part of this landmark event.
Our friendship with this ministry began years ago when Phil and Kathleen traveled to Moscow to train pastors from churches nationwide on media and emerging digital strategies. That friendship continues today with a growing impact, thanks to Influence Lab partners who helped fund Russian translations of Phil’s books.
“Phil’s books have become reference books for people of influence in our country. He is known in Russia as an author who reveals the practical side of life in church ministry and the marketplace.” – Russian Pastor/Publisher
Watch Phil’s update on Russia and the mission of The Influence Lab:
What happens when you partner with The Influence Lab? Long-term relationships with HUGE Kingdom impact!
Thank you, Influence Lab Partners! Your ongoing support empowers pastors and churches to reach their nations with the gospel. Add your gift today! Give here.
Special offer – give a gift or get a free book as our “thank you.” Give here.
Innovative, creative, and inspiring, Brandi McDaniel is the woman high achieving leaders seek out when they are looking for inspiration for their next project. Known for her heart for connectivity, an ear for listening, and for her sage wisdom and inspiring words, Brandi has helped a number of organizations and individuals get clear on what practical steps to take next as they seek to expand their voice, build their organization or brand, and leverage their skills and talents for the furthering of God’s Kingdom. She believes that an environment of expected excellence with balanced nurturing and support is the key to helping others unlock their own potential and access their God given talents. Brandi leads from a place of service and is excited to serve Influence Women as the new Houston Chapter Director, whose purpose is to empower and equip women to create radical cultural change through the use of arts, media, and leadership from a biblical worldview.
INNER VIEW
Kathleen Cooke: In our artistic careers, we often go off and do what we want to do and disregard what God wants us to do. What has he taught you about this?
Brandi McDaniel: I can best answer this one from an example in my life. There was a time when I had asked our teenage son to go outside and mow our grass. He started mowing the grass for a little while, but then decided to wash and detail my car. He came into the house, and he was so excited to tell me how he had washed and detailed my car for me as a surprise. I thanked him for doing that and then asked him if he had mowed the grass like I had asked him to do. He sheepishly said, “No, but I’ll get to that tomorrow.” While washing and detailing my car was a good and kind thing to do, it was not the thing I had asked him to do. It was still disobedience. God brought that memory back to me recently to remind me that sometimes I have allowed myself to get busy doing lots of ‘good’ things but neglecting the thing that God is calling me to do right now. Honestly, it kind of wrecked me to think that I could be doing a lot of good things for God, but still ultimately ignoring the call of my Lord by not doing what He asked me to do specifically. Like my son, I was guilty of being asked to mow the grass, but I was washing the car instead! God opened my eyes to this truth, and I immediately began to pray in submission to God’s greater will on my life with the promise that I will do the thing that He is asking of me now, because the thing He is asking of me is of the utmost importance to Him.
Kathleen: Our world is full of fear and uncertainty, and a creative career in the arts may be the most challenging to undertake today. How do you break that fear factor?
Brandi: I wrote a bible study on this called: “Move: Answering God’s Call in a Time of Uncertainty,” which then inspired a play based on the same concept, which will go to the stage in 2026. My family had a series of many (home) moves in just a few years and it made me think about the very human experience of the Israelites who were called to move from their known home in Egypt and onto an uncertain road into an uncertain future and what that must have felt like to trust God in the face of the absolute unknown. What I discovered through writing and teaching the study was that God layered in a consistent invitation to His people to trust Him above all else, even when all else seemed uncertain. Repeatedly, God provided for the Israelites amid their physical hardships of leaving their known home and crossing the desert into the unknown. From direction, to food, to making a literal path through the water, God continued to show up for His people. This truth invited me to look at my own life, and I saw that the same has been true for me over the years. There is a lot of evidence that God has shown up again and again in my life amid hardships and trials with all sorts of unexpected provision. He has even made a way when there has been no way! When I focus on this truth and meditate on His Word, I can trust that just like He has shown up over and over again in my life and in the Israelite’s lives, He will do it again.
Kathleen: What have you learned about keeping boundaries in a creative life?
Brandi: After God reminded me not to wash the car when I have been called to mow the grass, I protect my time now more than ever. I know He is not asking me to give my time to things He hasn’t called me to in this season of life, but to apply the spirit of discernment that He has given me to know which things He is asking me to invest my time in now. With that alignment, I now pay close attention to the specific calls of the Lord and invest my time accordingly. One of the things that encourages me is Jesus’s own walk with the Lord. I look to Jesus’s example in scripture where He never stepped out ahead of His Father, but remained submitted to His Father’s will in His life on matters of timing. One of my favorite examples of this is in the Gospel of John, when Jesus delays his trip to Bethany after hearing of Lazarus’s illness. On the surface, it seems shocking that Jesus would not rush to Lazarus’s side to help him, but it is because Jesus has trusted God’s timing that we see the miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection. In the story, Jesus appeared to have arrived too late, but we discover that because Jesus never ran ahead of God, He was right on time. When I was much younger, I can admit that I often ran ahead of God and said yes to too many things out of fear that I might lose the opportunity if I didn’t. I operated from a place of fear instead of a place of trusting God’s timing. I found myself overcommitted and overwhelmed very quickly, and because of it, many of my days were more stressful than they were peaceful. I was running ahead of God versus trusting His timing. It was a hard lesson, but an important one. Today, with Christ as my constant example, I better understand the importance of setting time boundaries based on God’s timing, not my own. I no longer allow myself to overcommit or try to run ahead of what God has planned for me so that I don’t miss the miracle.
Kathleen: In today’s economy, it’s easy to choose projects for a financial gain and not consider them from an influential perspective.
Brandi:When it comes to choosing projects that are ‘influential only’, first ask yourself: Is God calling me to this project in this season of life? If yes, am I willing to invest the time, energy, (physical, emotional, intellectual energy) that is required to do this project well? Am I willing to serve in this space joyfully, understanding that it may require even more of me before the project is done? Do I trust that the Lord will provide for me and for this project in any way that I lack? If the answer is yes to all of those things and you decide to commit to the project, then be assured there is no greater gain, no richer treasure than the salvation of a soul. While we cannot personally save a soul, we can surely lead people to the One who can. May your every effort to lead others to Christ be blessed and fruitful.
