Episode Details

What happens when you mix a powerhouse ALS advocate, a faith-driven advancement leader, and a whole lot of heart? You get this conversation.

Recorded live at GiveCon, presented by Bloomerang and QGiv, I sat down with Wendy Faust, Executive Director of Live Like Lou Foundation, and Jen Waning from the Sisters of St. Francis, and let me tell you—it was one of the most real, heartfelt, and surprisingly joyful chats I’ve had in a long time. We talk about the uncertainty so many nonprofits are navigating right now—and how to meet it with clarity, community, and courage. Wendy shares how Live Like Lou is turning personal loss into legacy and how even a simple lemonade stand can spark powerful donor connections. Jen reflects on what it means to honor the wisdom of 124 sisters who’ve spent their lives in service—and what legacy looks like when you’re truly thinking long-term. Together, we celebrated how nonprofits hustle for joy, even in the hardest moments. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your mission magnetic—or how to show up more boldly in your community—this is the episode for you.

Topics:

• The fundraising challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits in 2025
• How Live Like Lou is funding early-career ALS researchers and supporting 700+ families annually
• The power of community events, like Lou Gehrig Day and Lou’s Crew peer fundraising
• Strategies for getting new, younger supporters involved in niche causes
• Legacy work with aging communities—how the Sisters of St. Francis are preserving stories and values
• What it means to be transparent with donors during uncertain times
• The emotional and deeply human side of nonprofit work—grief, joy, and everything in between
• Using storytelling, branding, and real-life moments to deepen donor connection
• The importance of “repping” your mission—and how a hat or sticker can start a movement

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

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Resources:

• Easy Emails For Impact™: The $5K+ Fundraising Campaign System
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• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
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