David Preston demonstrated a commitment to community development through his substantial contributions to religious and educational institutions. He played a pivotal role in the construction of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit, serving on the building committee and facilitating fundraising efforts. Preston also made a significant donation to Albion College, contingent upon the trustees raising a specified amount, which they successfully achieved. Additionally, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Cass Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and another church in Detroit. His legacy is marked by the David Preston School, named in his honor, which operated from 1895 until its closure and subsequent demolition.

David Preston's political identity is marked by a strong commitment to religious philanthropy, particularly within the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a notable investment in education. His strategic approach to philanthropy, coupling personal donations with community fundraising, showcases a calculated method of community building. Preston's educational initiatives, highlighted by the naming of a school after himself, reveal a desire to leave a lasting legacy, even as the school's eventual closure underscores the transient nature of such endeavors. This blend of personal investment and community impact hints at a nuanced approach to civic responsibility.