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.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

What makes a retirement community more than just a place to live? How do you build a culture so strong that residents, their families, and even local businesses want to give back? 

This week, we’re live at GiveCon, presented by Bloomerang and QGiv, with the Bridgewater Retirement Community team—and trust me, their fundraising approach is something special. They raised $5 million in just 18 months, but the real magic is in how they connect, the stories they tell, and the generosity they inspire every single day. This story is about fundraising and, more importantly, belonging, community, and impact. Whether you're in nonprofit development or just love hearing about organizations doing things right, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss. Hit play and get inspired! 

Topics:

• How Bridgewater Retirement Community built a culture where giving is second nature
• The Live Well campaign success story – How BRC shifted from funding buildings to funding people—and raised $5M in record time
• How BRC captures and shares the real-life impact of their programs
• Why the very people they serve are some of their most passionate givers
• How frontline staff turned ideas into reality, funding trips, wellness programs, and even a senior prom
• The magic of relationship-driven fundraising – Why major gifts often come from deep trust, not just a strong pitch
• How every team member at BRC sees themselves as a fundraiser

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Feeling like you're doing all the fundraising yourself? That stops here.

In this bonus episode, I’m sharing a sneak peek inside a live training from my program, The SPRINT Method™—where we talked about how to activate your board, volunteers, and community members as peer fundraisers (even if they’ve never done it before).

You’ll learn:

• Why most peer fundraising strategies fall flat
• The better way to mobilize supporters with low-lift, high-impact asks
• What happens when you stop fundraising alone—and start building real momentum

If you’re a solo shop founder, part-time executive director, or a small-but-mighty team running everything yourself and still grinding to reach $100K in individual donations annually? This is for you.

🟡 Early access to The SPRINT Method™ is open now through Wednesday, April 3rd.
Inside, you'll get the full system to raise 5-figures in every campaign—without a big list, team, or 40 hours of prep.

Join us here → splendidcourses.com/sprint

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

The nonprofit world is shifting fast, and if you want to stay ahead in 2025, you can’t rely on last year’s strategies. After attending and speaking at GiveCon, I took a step back to really absorb what’s working—and what’s not. From AI-powered donor outreach to bold fundraising asks that work, I’m breaking down the 10 biggest nonprofit marketing and fundraising trends that will shape how you raise money and grow your mission this year. The organizations that win are the ones willing to be brave, adapt fast, and put relationships first—and that’s exactly what I’m covering in this episode. Whether you’re looking to scale up recurring giving, get better at bold fundraising asks, or tap into the power of storytelling (the right way), this episode will give you the edge you need. 

Topics:

• Why bold fundraisers always raise more money and how to stop playing small
• The real reason you’re hesitant to ask and how it’s costing you funding
• How to market “hard-to-talk-about” missions and connect with the right audience
• How to create a sense of community that keeps donors coming back
• A simple (but wildly effective) donor engagement trick you can steal today
• Why uncertainty shouldn’t scare you—it should push you to innovate
• The two fundraising strategies that every nonprofit leader should be prioritizing
• Smart ways to use AI in your nonprofit without losing the human connection
• Why waiting for the perfect campaign is holding you back (and what to do instead)
• How to ethically gather and use impact stories (and why consent should never be forever)

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Nonprofit fundraising doesn’t have to be a guessing game or a long, drawn-out, exhausting process. Yet, so many nonprofit leaders struggle to hit that $10k+ mark every time they run a fundraiser. If you’ve ever felt like fundraising is an uphill battle, you’re not alone—but it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, I’m breaking down the two essential skills that will help you raise five figures consistently—without dragging out campaigns for months or shouldering all the work alone. Whether your nonprofit is brand new, stuck at 100k, or even more established but still struggling with fundraising momentum, this episode will give you clear, actionable strategies to make every campaign successful. Plus, I introduce my brand new program—The SPRINT Method™! This is my step-by-step system designed to help you raise 10k+ on repeat without stress, long waits, or doing it all alone.

Topics:

• Why most nonprofits make fundraising harder than it needs to be
• The two major traps that keep organizations stuck in fundraising stress mode
• Skill #1: Confident, proactive donor outreach (and how to get comfortable making bold asks)
• Skill #2: Fast, action-oriented campaigns (why short, high-impact fundraising sprints are key)
• How to stop solo fundraising and activate your network for peer-led campaigns
• The biggest mistakes nonprofits make that kill fundraising momentum
• How to ditch long cultivation cycles and start raising money faster

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Nonprofit Founders & Solo Execs: If you’re constantly scrambling for donations, feeling like fundraising is an unpredictable, never-ending hustle, this episode is for you. Today, I’m breaking down the one shift that will change everything for your nonprofit: Fundraising Sprints.

Most small nonprofits rely on scattered, reactive fundraising—hustling for grants, hoping for surprise donations, and over-relying on their existing networks. But that approach keeps you stuck in survival mode. In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

• Why fundraising often feels so unpredictable (and what to do instead)
• The biggest mistake keeping nonprofits under $100K in annual revenue
• How to use Fundraising Sprints to raise five figures or more—on repeat
• What a sprint actually looks like and how to plan your first one

If you’re a nonprofit founder, solo-shop fundraiser, or small team ready to stop spinning your wheels and start bringing in real funding, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make fundraising simpler, faster, and more predictable.

Ready to start fundraising smarter?
Join The SPRINT Method, my proven system for nonprofit leaders who want to raise five figures every time they fundraise.

Learn more and join today: splendidcourses.com/sprint

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

You’ve poured your heart into your nonprofit, spending nights and weekends building programs, rallying volunteers, and making an impact—yet, there’s still not enough funding to quit your day job and go all in. Sound familiar? So many nonprofit founders get stuck in this exact cycle—working tirelessly but never quite breaking through to a fully-funded organization. And here’s the hard truth: The way you’re fundraising is keeping you stuck.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to raise enough money to finally go full-time, why small-dollar fundraisers (like that exhausting gala or 5K) aren’t the answer, and the exact strategy to bring in $10K+ every time you fundraise. Plus, we’re talking about the mindset shifts you need to make to pay yourself without guilt—because your nonprofit can’t grow if it can’t keep you. If you’re tired of running on fumes and ready to lead your organization with full-time energy and full-time funding, this episode is your blueprint.

Topics:

• The #1 reason part-time Executive Directors stay stuck (and how to break the cycle)
• Why small fundraising events aren’t the magic fix
• How to start securing mid and major gifts instead of relying on small-dollar donations
• The money mindset shift you need to confidently pay yourself
• How investing in leadership increases funding by 2-3x
• A step-by-step guide to raising $10K+ every campaign using the Sprint Method

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

If you’re not hitting your fundraising goals, it’s easy to think the problem is your CRM, website, or donation platform. But switching tools won’t fix a broken strategy. I see so many nonprofits stuck in a cycle of blaming their tech instead of addressing the real issue—how they’re engaging donors and running campaigns. In this episode, I’m breaking down three major reasons organizations miss their fundraising targets and what to do instead. I’m talking about the difference between reactive and proactive fundraising (and why most organizations are stuck in survival mode), the fear of making bold asks, and the importance of differentiation—because if you blend in, you’ll be ignored. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re constantly fundraising but never getting ahead, this episode is for you.

Topics:

• The myth of "better tech = better fundraising"—why tool-hopping won’t solve your funding problems
• The real reasons nonprofits miss their fundraising goals
• How to shift from reactive fundraising to a proactive donor engagement plan
• The power of bold, emotionally-driven storytelling (and why playing it safe is hurting your donations)
• Why differentiation is key—if you don’t stand out, donors will choose none
• The fundraising Sprint Method: how to stop the constant scramble and start raising more with less effort

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Grants disappearing overnight? Funding feeling more uncertain than ever? If the recent federal grant freeze had you panicked, you're not alone. Traditional nonprofit funding strategies aren’t as secure as they once were, and it’s time to rethink how your organization brings in revenue.

I’m breaking down the biggest funding red flags I’m seeing right now, why social media without conversions is a giant waste of time and money, and where you should be reallocating your budget to bring in bigger, more sustainable donations. Plus, I’m talking about influencer-led campaigns (yes, even for small nonprofits) and why they’re one of the most effective fundraising strategies today. If you’re ready to stop relying on unpredictable grants and donor cycles and start building funding momentum that lasts, this episode is a must-listen!

Topics:

• The recent grant freeze and why relying too much on one funding source is risky
• How a heavy dependence on major donors, grants, or one big event can put your nonprofit in danger
• The real reason why your social media strategy isn’t bringing in donations—and how to fix it
• Why keeping low performers (or outdated strategies) is costing you more than you realize
• The truth about PR and marketing agencies—why they won’t magically unlock donor dollars
• How influencer partnerships and Social Street Teams® are changing the fundraising game
• Where to reallocate your budget for maximum impact (stop overspending on things that don’t work!)
• Why fast, digital-first fundraising strategies are the key to sustainable revenue growth

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links

Ever feel like your to-do list is never-ending? Nonprofit leaders, founders, and busy professionals are juggling way too much—and it’s keeping you from the work that actually moves the needle. That’s why I brought in VA expert and business coach, Sara Wiles, to talk about a total game-changer: hiring a virtual assistant. We’re breaking down exactly how hiring a virtual assistant can transform your productivity, free up your time, and (finally) get those bottom-of-the-list tasks off your plate. If you’re feeling overworked, under-supported, and desperate for more breathing room, this episode will show you how to hire smart and reclaim your time—without blowing your budget.

Topics:

• Sara’s journey from corporate event planning to running an online virtual assistant business
• Why nonprofit leaders waste way too much time on the wrong tasks
• The real ROI of hiring an assistant (and why it’s more affordable than you think)
• How to identify what tasks to offload and find the right VA for your needs
• Why feedback loops are crucial for a successful VA relationship
• The hiring process: what to look for, how much to pay, and how to onboard smoothly
• The power of personal connection in nonprofit storytelling (yes, YOU need to be in your content!)
• How VAs can help with influencer outreach & donor engagement

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

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

[Free Webinar] Aug 20th - Click here to sign up

Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
  May contain affiliate links