By Rhen Hoehn, Director of Marketing

Most nonprofits don't have a planned giving communications problem. They have a planned giving silence problem. The program exists on paper, the pastor is supportive, someone drafted a legacy society name two years ago, and nothing has appeared in communicati...

If you're looking for ways to improve your Catholic fundraising results, you're not alone. 

Every Catholic ministry, school, campus ministry, and parish wants their appeals to inspire donors and move them to action.

Here’s one simple but powerful strategy to get there: set clear appeal goals...

By Mary Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor

December is the time for the FUN part of FUNdraising! After getting the Christmas/Year-end appeal out,  grab a cup of hot chocolate, sit back, open the mail, and count up the donations! 

I hope you get to do lots of that, BUT there is still work to b...

Petrus Development’s annual Raise Awards program recognizes outstanding achievement by fundraising professionals and volunteers.  Each year, Petrus honors some of the best fundraising campaigns of the past year with the RAISE Awards. This year, we have six organizations to honor!

Best Direct Mai...

One of the non-profits I worked for didn’t have a database; they had an Excel spreadsheet for their donor information. It wasn’t very organized, and I had no idea how accurate it was. 

There was information everywhere - on spreadsheets, in the executive director’s notebooks, and in the heads ...

By Mary Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor

The end of the year, that is. 

Did you know that about 1/3 of annual giving happens in December? The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a season that encourages generosity. As a result, nonprofits ramp up their “asks.” Also, in the United Stat...

By Jamie Cappetta, President, USC Caruso Catholic Center and Petrus Consultant

Like many development professionals, I didn’t start my career aspiring to be a fundraiser, but rather my aspiration was that of a professional baseball player. However, when I did not get drafted my senior year in co...

By Mary Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor

Clarence, the wingless angel: We don’t use money in heaven.

George Bailey: It comes in pretty handy down here, Bub.

From the movie It’s a Wonderful Life.

Note: I am not a lawyer, and the following is not legal advice—just my perspective and experien...

By Mary Hernandez, Petrus Blog Contributor

Your year-end appeal is about to get to the final proofing stage, and thankfully, there is still time to edit with a critical eye and include your donors as a key player in your messaging. 

Your appeal likely includes these elements:

• Transformat...

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 Bluebonn...

 A successful appeal can provide an obvious financial benefit to a Catholic nonprofit, be an excellent evangelization tool for benefactors and prospects, and educate that same audience on the latest great news about your organization.

Appeals can also be perplexing. We wonder:

• What will resonate
...