RMDs: The Sleeping Giant of Fundraising
By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor
I love the TV show The Profit. Marcus Lemonis, a serial entrepreneur, invests in struggling businesses and offers advice on how to turn things around. Often even small adjustments in managing people, capital, or processes yield amazing results.
Following Marcus’ lead, I’m proposing a small tweak in your development efforts that could pay off big time! With just a bit of effort and minimal expense, you can educate and invite your partners in ministry to consider gifts from their IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
The idea behind RMDs is that the government usually requires a person to “spend down” a retirement fund over the course of his or her life (exception, Roth IRAs). Of course, the government can’t predict when a particular person will die (and I for one am happy about that!), but it can use data to estimate a life expectancy. The amount a person is required to “spend down” by taking...
Trust and Understanding: Interview with Fr. Larry Rice on The Petrus Development Show
Director of Campus Ministry for the University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Fr. Larry Rice discusses his role at the UCC and also his previous role as Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry at St. Thomas More Newman Center at the Ohio State University. He compares and contrasts working in campus ministry at these two schools. Fr. Larry just celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood with the Paulist Fathers. He understands campus ministry and the principles of development and takes his role as supervisor seriously. Share this episode with a priest.
Show Notes:
- Fr. Larry was Andrew’s boss from 2008-2011 when Andrew was the Director of Development at St. Thomas More Newman Center and Fr. Larry was Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry.
- Sophomore at Penn State University – he was surprised by his vocational calling to the priesthood.
- Fr. Larry just celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination
- Has had a variety of...
Path to My Salvation: Interview with Jason Simon on The Petrus Development Show
Jason Simon, President of Evangelical Catholic
Evangelical Catholic has been forming missionary disciples since the early 1990s. The Evangelical Catholic works nationally to support dioceses parishes and university campus ministries to lead self-sustaining evangelization movements through their customized coaching service and online learning management system. Evangelical Catholic currently works with over 100 Catholic ministries across the nation. Jason Simon is the President of Evangelical Catholic. In this episode he discusses his journey through Evangelical Catholic, his faith journey, and how that relates not just to fundraising but to running an organization.
Show Notes:
From Wisconsin
Grew up protestant
His wife was Catholic and he tried to convert her when they were dating. Her efforts and the mentorship of the founder of Evangelical Catholic, Tim Cruz, made an impact on him and lead to his conversion.
Married for 21 years. He and his wife have 6 kids.
When Jason began...
Josh Whelan joins Petrus as Vice President & Senior Consultant
Petrus Development is pleased to announce the addition of Josh Whelan to the Petrus team as Vice President and Senior Consultant. Josh comes to Petrus from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students where he spent nearly three years as a Sr. Director and Area Director of the South Region. As a member of the Petrus team, Josh will bring his experience and passion for Catholic philanthropy to ministries looking to form strong development foundations, build up their programming and accelerate their physical and ministerial growth.
The President of Petrus, Andrew Robison, is thrilled to have Josh joining the team. “Josh is a true professional that really understands how to grow a ministry and take it from good to great! He has had amazing experiences throughout his career implementing annual fund strategies, securing major gifts and planning and launching capital campaigns, and he’s an excellent teacher and coach. His passion for his Catholic faith drives him and I...
Announcing the Petrus Annual Manual Giveaway
By Hilary Francis, Petrus Administrative Assistant
Are you in need of funding to grow your ministry?
Do you have a vision in your head but need that extra push to make your vision a reality?
Have you heard of the Petrus Annual Manual but been unable to move forward for lack of $?
Petrus Development is pleased to announce that we will be giving away One Year of Free Training in annual fundraising and development best practices to two lucky winners this fall.
You read that right. Two Free Annual Manual Packages. Up. For. Grabs.
Why does my organization need an Annual Manual? What is it exactly? And what does it do?
The Petrus Annual Manual provides Catholic organizations desiring to grow their Annual Fund with a game plan built on best practices and proven strategies. In the Annual Manual Program your organization is given a 12 Month Development Calendar running from July to June, providing a comprehensive plan for your annual fund program. This allows you to fully maximize...
PLC 2019: Donor Panel with Dennis & Marie Wierzbicki
Dennis and Marie Wierzbicki, Donor Panel, 2019 Petrus Leadership Conference
In this episode, Dennis and Marie Wierzbicki, benefactors to the “One Church, Many Disciples” Capital Campaign for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City sat down with Peter de Keratry at the 2019 Petrus Leadership Conference to share about their experience as donors. Dennis is the president of Ditch Witch and Marie is a volunteer for many nonprofit organizations in and around Oklahoma City. Dennis and Marie shared lessons they have learned along their philanthropic journey, how they have encouraged their children to be philanthropic and what their experience getting involved and giving to the “One Church, Many Disciples” campaign was like. The Wierzbicki’s honestly answer questions from Peter and the audience to share a donor’s perspective regarding invitation, engagement, recognition, and more!
Giving to religious causes vastly exceeds any other category in the...
PLC 2019: Interview with James Baxter on the Petrus Development Show
James Baxter, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Exodus 90
James has served as the Executive Director of Exodus 90 since 2015. He attended St. John Vianney Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana before discerning God was calling him to marriage and secular life. In 2015, supported by his Board, James assumed responsibility for scaling Exodus 90 from a seminary formation program into a spiritual exercise for the renewal of the Church. James presented at the 2019 Petrus Leadership Conference, which took place in Oklahoma City on June 23-26. This is the audio recording of his presentation.
For more information about Exodus 90 or to connect with James, visit www.exodus90.com or email him at [email protected]
Giving to religious causes vastly exceeds any other category in the nonprofit sector, but faith-based organizations often struggle the most with fundraising effectively. Join Andrew Robison,...
PLC 2019: Presentation by John Flynn on the Petrus Development Show
John Flynn, Vice President of Philanthropy, FOCUS (Denver, CO)
Giving to religious causes vastly exceeds any other category in the nonprofit sector, but faith-based organizations often struggle the most with fundraising effectively. Join Andrew Robison, President of Petrus Development, as he explores this topic through honest and revealing conversations with church leaders, executive directors and development professionals from the nonprofit community.
Summertime Suggestions
Summertime is upon us again. Whether that means a break from 300 inches of snow or entering into a time of scorching 100 degree afternoons, summer is most definitely a time to enjoy a break from the hectic life of school, sports, meetings, and more. So what are you going to do with your summer free time?
At the risk of offering too many ideas and “harshing your summer vibe,” here are a few suggestions for the next few months.
- Take a look back on the past year and remember what worked really well and what did not. Some people like to make lists and some people just like to spend an hour or so recapping in their minds. Wherever you fall, this time can be incredibly valuable from a “learn from the past” point of view. If you feel inspired, plan a lunch with some of your coworkers and put together a SWOT list from your ministry. Looking back and looking forward are always easier to do when life is slightly calmer so you may surprise yourself with how clear your...
Continuing the Legacy: Interview with David Pederson on The Petrus Development Show
David Pederson has been the Director of Development for the Catholic Community Foundation for the Diocese of Phoenix since 2013. He has worked in development for over ten years at multiple Catholic campus ministries and the Diocese of Phoenix. In this episode, Andrew and David explore the basics of planned giving: What is it? What types of gifts are made in this type of giving? As well as how to approach donors about planned giving and how to begin a program like that at the Catholic Community Foundation for the Diocese of Phoenix. David offers practical advice for the development professional wanting to explore planned giving as an option for future growth of their ministry.
Show Notes:
- David Grew up in Minnesota. Non Catholic. Went to Minnesota State University in Mancato. Met his wife, who was Catholic and asked him to come to Mass with her.
- Not a big enough space in the Newman Center for Mass. Got involved at the Newman Center and he started talking with the priest...
