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The Catholic Difference: How Social Teaching Transforms Fundraising

By Andrew Robison, Petrus President


 

As a Catholic fundraising professional with two decades of experience working alongside Church and nonprofit leaders, I've witnessed firsthand how Catholic Social Teaching (CST) shapes successful fundraising practices. The intersection of these principles wi...

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How to Boost Your Catholic Fundraising Appeals with Goals and Deadlines

If you're looking for ways to improve your Catholic fundraising results, you're not alone. 

 

Every Catholic ministry, school, campus ministry, and parish wants their appeals to inspire donors and move them to action.

 

Here’s one simple but powerful strategy to get there: set clear appeal goals...

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The 'Kill, Date, Marry' of Fundraising - A Petrus Development Show Episode on Fundraising Concepts

Yes, you read that correctly!  In this week's episode of the Petrus Development Show, Rhen quizzes Andrew on which fundraising concepts he would choose to kill, date, and marry.  Listen as Andrew shares his thoughts on which fundraising ideas that should be nixed, which should be further explored, a...

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When Donors Get Angry - A Petrus Development Show Episode on Difficult Conversations

Ever faced a frustrated donor? If you've been fundraising for any length of time, chances are you've been on the receiving end of donor displeasure. In this episode, Andrew and Rhen share strategies for responding to angry donors while maintaining your composure and ensuring they feel heard.

 

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Spring into Monthly Giving Success - A Petrus Development Show Episode on Monthly Giving

As spring blooms, so does the opportunity for growing monthly giving. May sees a surge in new sign-ups, and in this episode, Andrew and Rhen share creative strategies to engage and inspire new monthly donors.

 

 

Show Notes:

May is a key month for attracting new donors, and smart organization...

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How to Handle Donor “Ghosting” After a Major Gift Ask

Father Michael had seen it all before. A generous donor seemed enthusiastic, nodding along, asking great questions, and even mentioning how much they admired the campus ministry's mission. 

 

Then came the ask. 

 

The donor smiled, said they’d think about it, and promised to follow up soon. Week...

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What's the Right Number? - A Petrus Development Show Episode on Solicitation Amounts

It's a recurring question in the life of a fundraiser:  "How much money should I request from a donor when I meet with them?"  If that's a question that continues to baffle you, we have good news!  Andrew and Rhen return with an episode on tools you can use to determine the appropriate dollar amount...

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Prioritize Passion - A Petrus Development Show Episode on Hiring Fundraisers

The choice of who to hire as a fundraiser can be one of the most important decisions that an organization makes.  Choosing the right development staff makes a world of difference in whether or not a ministry is able to build a successful and sustainable development program.  

 

 

Show Notes:

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Make Your Donor Calls 16 Times Better with 3 Small Tweaks

If you could make your donor calls 16 times more effective, would you? Of course you would. And the best part? You don’t need a new CRM, a bigger list, or a groundbreaking pitch. 

 

It just takes is three simple adjustments, all backed by research.

 

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re data-driven ch...

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Stacking the Deck - A Petrus Development Show Episode on Boosting Fundraising Success

The phrase "stacking the deck" often has a negative connotation, leading people to think you're doing something unfair or manipulative.  Good news!  As we share in today's podcast episode, we think that "stacking the deck" in fundraising terms can be a wise and helpful strategy in many situations.  ...

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Let's RAISE The Bar On Your Fundraising Potential! - A Petrus Development Show Episode on RAISE Regional Workshops

We come to you in this week's episode with an exciting opportunity.  We are thrilled to invite you to our 2025 RAISE Regional Workshops.  

 

 

Show Notes:

As Andrew and Rhen share in the episode, Petrus is changing things up in 2025.  Instead of hosting a large multi-day annual conference in ...

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Make May Your Month: Creative Ways to Encourage New Monthly Donors

May isn’t just for flowers and graduations—it’s also the biggest month of the year for new monthly donor signups. That’s right! According to NeonOne, May sees more people commit to recurring giving than any other month.

 

Why? Maybe it’s the post-tax season calm, the inspiration of spring renewal,...

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