Petrus Blog

In this episode Tara Doyon, Director of Client Services and Sarah Rose, Director of Communications, continue leading us through the Blueprint of Development series. They discuss what your communication efforts look like today and what they can look like in the future once you implement a sustainable development program at your organization. You don't want to miss out on hearing the great first steps they give on how to begin transforming your messaging to be donor-centric so that you can continue building the Kingdom. 

Show Notes:

What you've seen

What communication materials are being sent out currently? Let's take an audit of your communications efforts. A lot of times it's only the Sunday church bulletin and maybe a website. 

Tara's organization did an in depth audit with an outside consultant close to a decade ago and, while the bulletin was number one, they were able to dissect what it was about the bulletin that made it number one. What was it about this...

By Sarah Rose, Petrus Consultant

“Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” - St. Teresa of Calcutta

Spring is here! In Texas, that means the bluebonnets are in full bloom. These gorgeous blue flowers bring joy to so many people - including myself!

Growing up, The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola was one of my favorite books. It is the perfect book for any wildflower lover in Texas. Now it is a storytime go-to for my little ones.

Tomie dePaolo recounts the tale of how the beautiful bluebonnet flower came to be. It is a story about a Comanche girl who makes a transformational gift - a gift that not only meets the needs of her community, but also transforms the Texas hill country. 

To view a video of a reading of the book, click here.

The legend takes place during a terrible drought and famine. The Comanche people lament, “Great Spirits, the land is dying! … Tell us what we must do.” As things worsen, the Shaman announces that...

In this episode we are introduced to the first of a four-part series "Blueprint for Development." This series will take you in-depth on how to create a successful development program and putting in place the building blocks you'll need to insure it's sustainability. Join Andrew and Petrus Consultant, Sarah Rose, as they dive into how to set up and create an infrastructure for your organization and your development goals. This "set up" is crucial to insuring that your foundation will remain strong over time.

Show Notes:

The interviews on this show are about identifying people who are leaders in development and how they've created programs that work. But we want to know what the building blocks are and how we get there. 

These episodes will be covering topics on Infrastructure, Communications, Annual Fund and Major Gifts.

There's so much focus on the here and now that it's hard to take the time to look into the future of what it could look...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Bryan Wilburn, the Director of Development at the St. Paul Catholic Newman Center at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. They discuss how Bryan got his start in development and what they are doing to advance Catholic evangelism on the plains of North Dakota. As well as how being a great development officer can make you a better spouse. We hope that you enjoy the conversation and be sure to stick around for Andrew's three takeaways.

Show Notes:

Background

Bryan is from Montana and went to college in North Dakota. His time there depended his faith. After college, he devoted four years to FOCUS. As for development, he started in development during a college internship. And fundraising for himself for his time in FOCUS. 

He has been back in North Dakota for six years. Fr. Cheney brought him on as a Sustained Giving Officer, helping to build monthly giving partners for the Newman Center. After one year, he became involved...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Gabe Cooper. Gabe is the Founder of Virtuous, a responsive fundraising platform designed to help nonprofit teams build better donor relationships and increase impact with confidence. Andrew and Gabe discuss the power of data and automation and how the ultimate goal is to be able to treat every donor as if they were a major gift donor. They also discuss how Virtuous came to be and their thoughts on the Church as a leader of innovation. 

Show Notes:

Welcome to Episode 79 of the Petrus Development Show. As a liberal arts major and a little more of a right brain thinker, I certainly appreciate stories, connections, imagination and things like that more than the analytical aspects of life. I have always said that I am so thankful for the engineers and mathematicians of the world because if I was in charge of building bridges or calculating long formulas or designing computer software, we would all be in big trouble. I kind of feel the...

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

March Madness and Fundraising

March Madness is upon us! I love basketball and I love this time of year. Winning teams have different strategies, and I can’t help comparing them to fundraising practices.

Big Star Strategy in Basketball

Over the past two years, a team I followed recruited a REALLY GREAT player. The coaches designed their game strategy around this player. Other players tried to get him the ball and let him score. The team enjoyed a level of success for a while. Then the players who wanted a more active role transferred to other teams. Also, at times, the star player had an off game, or got injured. The rest of the team had trouble stepping up to win.

Big Star Strategy in Fundraising

What can this teach us about fundraising? Big Stars in fundraising have the means and interest in making gifts that can jumpstart or transform your ministry. Focusing on them is a great...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Dr. Matt Smith, Director of Strategic Alliances at OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation. Andrew and Matt discuss the OSV Innovation Challenge that was launched in 2020 which is now accepting applications for its 2021 Challenge. Through this Challenge, OSV is “building up Catholic innovators by offering contestants opportunities for personal development, professional guidance, and idea incubation — and a shot at one of three $100,000 project prizes.” 

If you want to learn more or apply for your shot at a $100,000 prize, go to www.OSVchallenge.com for more information. 

Show Notes:

Our Sunday Visitor was founded in 1915. 

Rebranded in 2021 to the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation. Which felt like it supported their vision in a clearer way. The 2021 Challenge opened to applications on February 1, 2021.

Innovation Challenge

2020 was the first year of the Challenge and it was highly...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Patrick Williams, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Texas A&M Foundation. In the world of development and philanthropy, there are a handful of people who you know were just built to be amazing fundraisers. My guest today is without question, one of those people. From building long-lasting and meaningful relationships, to understanding the art & science of fundraising, to knowing what it takes to recruit, train and retain a passionate and effective workforce and to having the courage to ask for and secure multi-million dollar gifts, Patrick is amazing. This podcast episode is quite literally a master class in major gift fundraising and I know that you won’t walk away from this without a list of strategies for success. 

Show Notes: 

Patrick is originally from small town Palestine, TX. He comes from a family of 14 kids and was a first generation college student to Texas A&M University. 

In...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Julia Golding, successful author with works such as the Cat Royal series and the Companions Quartet. They discuss the project that Julia has launched to purchase Tolkien’s home at 20 Northmoor Road in Oxford and turn it into the first literary center devoted to Tolkien and his works. Project Northmoor, as it is called, kicked off in November 2020, with a goal to raise 4.6 million pounds, or $6 million US dollars to buy the house and convert it into a literary center. Andrew and Julia discuss the project and what she has learned about fundraising through her efforts. It's a fascinating conversation with lessons and parallels to fundraising of all kinds. If you want to learn more about the project or make a donation, you can find more information at www.projectnorthmoor.org. So as they say in the books, let the quest begin.

Show Notes:

There are few literary phrases that are more well known than Middle Earth, Gandolph the Grey,...

In this episode, Sarah and Tara are continuing the conversation of Women in Philanthropy. In Part 3, they visit with Jeannie Sager, Director of the Woman's Philanthropy Institute. During this episode they discuss the transfer of wealth of women and women as professionals working in the development sector.

Show Notes:

Jeannie Sager, Director of Women’s Philanthropy Institute.

Gender matters within philanthropy. Women and men have different motivations for giving and different ways of practicing their philanthropy.

Three core findings from 10 years of research:

• Women’s wealth is rising
• Women are more likely to give
• Women give differently

More and more, women have more access to education, income and wealth. And these three things are predictors for philanthropy.

Research reports are available online at https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/institutes/womens-philanthropy-institute/newest-report/index.html

What types of organizations are at the top of...