Petrus Blog

Chris Stefanick to Kick Off Digital Gatherings

Internationally recognized speaker, author and evangelist,  Chris Stefanick, will kick off the January 13 Petrus summit, Digital Gatherings: Reinventing Fundraising in 2021. This FREE one-day conference will provide Catholic ministry, parish, school and nonprofit leaders the tools and strategies to make their virtual fundraising events a success in 2021. 

"I am thrilled with the caliber of speakers that will be joining us for the Digital Gatherings summit on January 13," said Andrew Robison, president of Petrus. "We wanted presenters who have 'been there and done that' so that the advice is based on what has and will work. Having Chris join the slate is exciting because he really understands why it is important for the Church to pivot to new strategies to reach Catholics where they are."

Register at https://www.petrusdevelopment.com/summit

Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, who...

In this episode, the first of our Holy Donor Series, Andrew visits with Greg and Julie Stevens. Greg and Julie live in Lincoln, Nebraska. They both attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln and were very involved at St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center. This young couple has an approach to tithing and charity that is remarkable and a little counter-cultural, even among faithful Catholics. Through this conversation, Andrew was inspired to evaluate his attitude towards giving, even with over 15 years in the development industry. Hopefully you will walk away inspired as well.

Show Notes:

Background

Greg is a Physician’s Assistant in dermatology and Julie is a stay at home mom to baby Isaac. They are both are cradle Catholics and they both went to Catholic school and University of Nebraska Lincoln. And Greg continued on to University of Nebraska Medical School. 

Growing up, they both remember seeing their parents involved in the church and give every Sunday...

Is your ministry wondering how to reach and motivate benefactors in the midst of the shutdowns?

We have been watching the landscape of fundraising at all sorts of Catholic organizations this year to see what is working.

And we have found one strategy that is standing out above the rest.

Reinventing Fundraising in 2021

Without a doubt, one of the most effective ways to engage supporters and generate funds in the midst of Covid is with a digital event, such as a “virtual gala.”

A year ago the typical donor would not have considered engaging with an organization through virtual events, but now they are EXPECTING to do so.

That's why 2021 is the year to rally your supporters with a virtual event, though it isn't as simple as just turning on a camera phone and recording.

Bringing in the Experts

Our mission at Petrus is to help as many Catholic organizations as possible to succeed with fundraising.

With that in mind, we are bringing together...

In this episode, Andrew visits with JoAnn Shull, Director of Development at St. Thomas More Newman Center at the University of Missouri. In this episode, Andrew and JoAnn discuss making the transition from campus minister to director of development, fundraising and the importance of communication and design work. They also discuss the challenges you can face when you combine family life with working in development, as well as, how to create a tribe that supports you.

Show Notes:

Background

JoAnn Shull worked as the Campus Minister at St. Thomas More Newman Center at University of Missouri for 8 years before transitioning to the role of Director of Development, which she has held for the last 5 years. 

Bringing FOCUS to the campus is what jump started the need for a devoted development position. FOCUS was fantastic, but what comes with the program is more students. More students meant more retreats, more transportation needs, more food...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Deacon Charlie Echeverry, an ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as the founder and managing director of Black//Brown, a strategic advisory firm that helps leaders and organizations turn diversity into a revenue stream. In this episodes, Andrew and Dcn. Charlie discuss the current and changing population in the Catholic Church and opportunities to engage diverse populations in development. As well as, investing time and intentionality in building a diverse workforce and donor-centric fundraising.

Show Notes:

Deacon Charlie is an ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA as well as the founder and managing director of Black//Brown, a strategic advisory firm that helps leaders and organizations turn diversity into a revenue stream.

Background

Deacon Charlie started in digital media with AOL in 1999. Then transitioned to Walt Disney company, which was a great place to learn branding and...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Gregory Perrin, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. They discuss how Gregory ended up in development and his different roles over the past 25 years.  They also discuss the differences in raising money for a large public university and a small private school and what fundraising for higher education has been like in the midst of a pandemic. Gregory has some great stories and solid advice for anyone in development.

Show Notes:

Gregory Perrin is the Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.

Background

Been in fundraising for about 25 years all in the non-profit and higher education organizations. He became involved in this industry like most do: serendipitously.

St. Edwards University

Founded by the same priests and brothers who founded Notre Dame University. Making St. Edwards a sister...

 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.

...

 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...