Heather Larson Philanthropy Consultant Advisor LiveGive Nonprofit Generosity Finish Line Podcast
Finish Line Podcast Episode 162

Heather Larson, Philanthropic Advisor, on Aligning Families’ Giving to Create Meaningful Change

You want to steward God’s resources faithfully. But questions about generosity, calling, and impact are rarely simple.

In this conversation, you’ll hear from someone who has walked through these kinds of questions and learned along the way. Listen for the next step God may be inviting you to take.


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Meet your guide

Heather Larson, founder of the philanthropy advisory firm LiveGive, traces her calling to early encounters with need and two decades of church ministry where God used her to build compassion and justice work and steward significant generosity. Those years formed a simple conviction: real change grows when giving is personal, prayerful, and connected to faithful people on the ground.

Today, Heather comes alongside families, foundations, and ministries to clarify passion areas, align spouses and generations, and shape practical “giving dream” plans. Drawing on years of leadership with local and global initiatives, she helps givers move from scattered gifts to strategic portfolios, set gracious expectations with partners, and engage meaningfully beyond the check. We also explore where metrics help and where they can hinder, and how a clear plan can free a family to give thoughtfully together. This conversation offers steady, practical wisdom for anyone seeking to steward God’s resources with discernment and joy.

What you’ll gain

  • Heather’s heart-wrenching stories from the mission field
  • Helping families develop a giving dream plan
  • Narrowing down a family’s passion areas
  • Exploring a family’s values to help select organizations to give to
  • The importance of spousal alignment 
  • Diversity and growth in philanthropic conversations
  • Navigating missed expectations with donors and organizations
  • Encouraging meaningful engagement with passion points
  • Considerations for impact metrics

Inspired? Take your next step

Try the Game of Life Simulator

Step into a four-minute interactive experience and see what unfolds as you decide how to manage your resources.

Start the Game
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot

Inspired? Learn how to partner with ministries well.

A compelling ministry story can inspire you to respond. But wise partnership often begins with better questions.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Focus

What is the ministry really seeking to restore?

Learn to look beyond visible needs toward people, context, relationships, and flourishing.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Fruitfulness

How do you recognize meaningful impact?

Consider how ministries learn, evaluate their work, and pursue lasting change.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Faithfulness

What does genuine ministry partnership look like?

Explore how to foster trust, alignment, and shared mission in your giving.

In our Intervention Series on the Applied Generosity Podcast, we’ll help you become a more thoughtful, discerning, and faithful partner.

Start the Series

Quotes to Remember

  • “God, help my heart to always break for the needs in Your world and don’t let me get calloused.”
  • “It’s the local church in a community that can really help meet long term needs and bring about transformation.”
  • “Even for the most data-driven person, their deepest passions are almost always connected to story.”
  • “Once you know a family’s causes and their values, then you can look for great organizations that line up with that criteria.”
  • “It will never become a family legacy if it’s one person’s drive. If it’s going to be a family legacy, it’s going to be shaped by all the family members coming together and everyone having a voice.”
  • “In our world, there is a need for crisis response and immediate relief services, and there is opportunity for long-term transformation.”
  • “If you really want to see transformation and you want to engage well with organizations, it does take intentionality and hard work.”
  • “Keep building your giving muscles!”

Links from the Show

Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.

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Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.
Generosity Profile Image
Enter your information below and we’ll send you our free PDF guide to explore the specific adventure you were called into.
Generosity Profile Image

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