Petrus Blog

 By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor & Local Charity Board Member

Over the last eight months, special event fundraising has morphed from live gatherings to cyberspace experiences. During this time, I have “attended” a number of virtual events, watched others on YouTube to learn, and was on the committee to plan a “virtual” fundraising walk.

I’ve also had conversations with Msgr. Scott Friend, vocations director for the Diocese of Little Rock, and Brian Russell of the University of Southern California Caruso Catholic Center. In the past, the diocese hosted a series of dinners to raise funds for the support of seminarians. The Catholic Center raised funds through honoring a USC Catholic alum with an upscale gala dinner. Last year, my local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) hosted a walk to raise funds.

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 By Rhen Hoehn, Development Director, St. Albert the Great University Parish

The following post is an example of messaging included weekly to our Annual Manual Program clients. For more information, visit https://www.petrusdevelopment.com/annualmanual

Fundraising for a ministry or nonprofit organization can be a daunting task. There are many moving pieces that all need to fit together.
 
There are tasks which need to be done constantly, week after week. There are big projects that pop up at regular intervals throughout the year. There are fires that ignite by surprise and need to be put out.
 
There is writing to do. There are mailings to stuff, calls to make, and tedious database entries to work on.
 
Staying on top of all of these things is tough in a small development shop. You might be a team of one, or less than one - development might just be one of many things that you do for the ministry.
 
It is easy to come to the end of your work day...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Caitlyn Kano, Executive Director of Compass Catholic. They discuss how we can be generous to our specific capacity and not a perceived capacity of giving. They talk about how even though 10% tithing is a fantastic goal, we are still called be to be stewards of the other 90%. And that once we unite our financials and our faith, we can answer yes to what God calls us to without hesitation.

Show Notes:

Caitlyn Kano is the Executive Director of Compass Catholic Ministries. She is local to Las Vegas, a military spouse of 17 years, mother of 4 children. When her oldest was 1 year, she was ready to do something more and began to volunteer with a non-profit. Over the years, she began to feel a disconnect between her work and her faith and felt called to tie the two together. Two years ago she reached out to Compass Catholic and began working on a money coaching ministry. In March of 2020 she was invited to become the Executive Director. 

Compass...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Brian Russell, Campaign Manager at Caruso Catholic Center at University of Southern California. In this episode of the "COVID Solutions" series, Andrew and Brian talk about pivoting from a long-standing gala to a new virtual event. They discuss the initial steps they took to make the change, the monetary success of the event as well as the pros and cons of such a change. They also talk about the long-term viability of these types of events. 

Show Notes:

Brian Russell is the campaign manager at Caruso Catholic Center at University Southern California. He is currently in his 10^th year of working in Catholic fundraising and his 4^th year at USC.

They are talking about the long standing gala that they host every other year and how they went virtual this year.

History of the Gala

They started the Gala event in 2010 and it takes place every other year. It is the big fundraiser for the center/church.

In May 2020, they had to figure out how...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Megan O'Brien Crayne, Campus Minister at Brown-RISD Catholic Community. In this episode of the "COVID Solutions" series, Andrew and Megan talk about monthly giving and how Megan was able to launch a new donor-matched program for young alumni. They discuss Megan's three-part plan, the hurdles she came up against and how she dealt with them. Through these efforts, they were able to see a large percentage jump in their annual giving.

Show Notes:

Megan O’Brien Crayne is the campus minister at Brown-RISD Catholic Community which serves the students at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Andrew and Megan met at the Oklahoma Petrus Conference, where Megan learned a ton.

They have started a brand-new monthly giving program during quarantine.

Before this summer they had maybe 15 monthly givers. It began with reaching out to the class of 2019 graduating seniors and they got 11 to sign up.

In June of 2020, Megan decided to revamp...

 By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor & Local Charity Board Member

There is no guarantee that a particular football team will win a particular game. Also, there is no guarantee that a fundraising team will reach its goal. However both are more likely if they study, train, and have a plan. In both football and fundraising, luck/grace can move things along, but luck/grace tends to gravitate toward teams that are open, “in shape,” practiced, and ready.

The success experienced by St. John Catholic Student Center at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater proves this point. The community at St. John’s has a compelling vision for a church that will serve OSU for the next 100 years. They are executing a $25 million campaign, called Building Saints for the Kingdom. They are raising funds for a new church, expansion of ministry, and an endowment.

With $16.3 million in hand or pledged, they are looking forward to “making a...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Josh Whelan, Vice President and Senior Consultant of Petrus Development. This is the first episode of Season 3 for the Petrus Development Show. In this episode, we get to know Josh and hear some of his history which has led him to his work today. Andrew and Josh talk about Josh's experience in development and philanthropy. As well as Josh's faith and how to find the best practices for your organization and, ultimately, your personal journey. 

Show Notes:

At the time of this interview, Josh is celebrating his one year anniversary as VP of Petrus Development.

Josh attended the University of Mississippi and graduated in 2004. He worked for 1 year in psychology clinic and realized that while he wanted to help people, he did not what to help as a psychologist. He went back to school and earned his masters degree.

After his Master's Program he worked for the University of Mississippi Foundation. Then as the VP of sales for small company...

New Director of Client Services to serve growing market for parish, diocesan, and ministry consulting 

College Station, TX - September 1, 2020 - Petrus Development announces the promotion of Tara Doyon as Director of Client Services and Senior Consultant. Tara previously served as a general consultant and has been an invaluable member of the Petrus team for five years, faithfully assisting dozens of client ministries launch or expand their development efforts.

During a time of change in the Church, new resources are needed to guide and assist Catholic institutions and organizations make necessary pivots. “Over the years, Petrus has done significant work for the Church and for a number of wonderful ministries,” Andrew Robison, President of Petrus Development.  “We are excited to promote Tara to this larger role with the company. In these difficult times of pandemic and economic shutdown, it is even more important that we provide excellent service and...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Scott Weeman, Founder of Catholic in Recovery. They discuss the connection between the Church and recovery. And they talk about what fundraising looks like in an arena that, historically, hasn't been viewed with high importance. And how fundraising and recovery is so much about building relationships. “So much of what we are seeking in life, it comes down to wanting authentic relationships.” This interview originally took place during the Petrus Virtual Conference 2020.

Show Notes:

Scott grew up Catholic but only for big holidays in rural Wisconsin. He was what you would call a nominal Catholic. In his junior year of high school, he began drinking. He moved to New York for college and added to his addictions with drugs and more. Within a year and a half he lost his debate scholarship and lost his friendships.

He received his second DUI when he was 21 after having to move back home. After this he checked himself into recovery for 15...

By Andrew N. Robison, President of Petrus Development and Jason Shanks, President of OSV Institute

“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.” - Henry Ford 

Toss the ball. Grab some jacks. Move your piece here and chute down the ladder. Have you ever considered the fact that life is a game? Do you ever feel like you are in a big game of checkers? Or Don’t Break the Ice? 

And what about other aspects of life? Is the world of business a game--with winners and losers? Is ministry a game? Were Saints Benedict and Dominic playing a game? Or Mary and Martha? 

In his book, The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek explains that we are all playing a game...in ministry, in business and in life. But what type of game are we playing? According to Sinek, there are two types of games: finite and infinite games. So what is the difference?

THE FINITE AND THE INFINITE GAME

Finite games, like football and chess, have winners and losers. The rules of the...