Every fundraiser eventually walks out of a donor meeting thinking, well, that didn't go how I planned.

Maybe the donor was cold. Maybe leadership said the wrong thing. Maybe the setting was a disaster. Maybe you realized halfway through that this was absolutely not the moment for an ask.

The...

Welcome back!  In our previous episode, we explored why every organization needs a fundraising leadership committee (and how to form one!), but now it's time to answer the question that really matters: What do you actually do with one?

Matt joins Rhen again this week to dig into the nuts a...

In this episode of the Petrus Development Show, Rhen sits down with Andrew for a practical and motivating conversation about how to finish your fiscal year strong — or, if your year is just beginning, how to start it with real intention.

Show Notes:

As summer approaches, it's the perfect ...

Andrew and Rhen are back with another practical, how-to episode — and this time, they're hitting the road. That's right, fundraisers travel. A lot. And since most of that travel revolves around meeting donors face-to-face, knowing how to plan well can make the difference between a productive trip an...

Happy 2026! Looking to strengthen your fundraising this year? Andrew and Rhen are back with a practical episode on metrics and goal setting that goes beyond typical New Year's resolutions.

In this episode, they break down the key metrics fundraisers should track to build a stronger program...

When you walk into a donor meeting, you’re not just bringing your case for support, you’re bringing yourself. 

How you present yourself matters. 

Attire won’t close a gift on its own, but the wrong choices can distract, undercut confidence, and even send unintended signals. 

Fundraisers ...

Picture this: Your organization's biggest donor prospect has finally agreed to meet about funding your new project. They're busy, they're selective about their philanthropic investments, and they've just said those magic words: 

"Let's discuss this over dinner. You pick the place." 

Suddenly, y...

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...

Welcome back!  We return with an episode that explores how fundraisers should handle advice from donors, particularly when it comes with strings attached to financial contributions. 

Show Notes:

In this episode, Andrew and Rhen chat about various ways to handle donors who, in addition ...

The start of the year is full of fresh goals, long to-do lists, and that faint hope that this will be the year you finally organize your inbox. (Spoiler alert: it won’t be.) 

But there’s one task you should definitely add to your calendar that’s both rewarding and surprisingly easy:  stewardship me...

Happy New Year!  We're back with our first Petrus Development Show episode of 2025, and we return with a discussion about fundraising attire.  Yep, you read that correctly.  We're talking about clothing.  In this episode, Andrew and Tara share details about how a fundraiser should dress for donor me...

We're glad you're back for our second Petrus Development Show episode highlighting etiquette tips for fundraisers.  As with our previous episode on good dining behavior, Andrew and Rhen offer specific rules for formal table manners.  Again, we know this is a unique topic for one of our shows, but as...