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, 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, we continue from last week with Part 2 of our Women in Philanthropy series, hosted by Tara Doyon and Sarah Rose. In Part 2, Sarah and Tara visit with Kathleen Criscione, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist, mother of 3 and practicing Catholic. Join them as they discuss how to let go of the unrealistic expectations set for working women. And how to create a healthy work-life balance. 

Show Notes:

Expectations for working moms. How do you get everything done and keep your sanity? How do working moms make it in development?

Kathleen Criscione is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist. She is a mother of 3 children under 4. She and her family are practicing Catholics with faith as a central part of their home. She is a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in St. Louis.

Kathleen received her Bachelors in Social Work from Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame, IN and her Masters in Social Work...

In this episode, Andrew visits with JM Boyd, President of Glass Canvas and Co-founder of a brand new parish resource, Tilma. Glass Canvas started a few years ago as a full-service marketing firm dedicated to serving the faith-based Nonprofit community. Last year they launched Tilma, a product with the goal of connecting you with your parish and your Catholic community in new ways through the use of technology. Andrew and JM discuss Catholic organization’s taking the tools, resources and opportunities that we all use every day and leveraging them for evangelization and the Church.

 Show Notes:

Glass Canvas began about 9 years ago and JM joined the company 14 months later. He was raised as a missionary kid, born in Germany, raised mostly in Hawaii and was introduced early on with non-profits and the work they were doing. JM studied photography in school which led him into producing and, in fact, worked with his professors producing their projects....

“Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is the advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.”

From the very first line in the prologue of his Rule, Saint Benedict is showing his desire to call followers of Christ to a fullness of love and faith not through his own instruction or for his own personal glorification, but simply because he knows God loves them. Benedict understands that obedience to Christ is what gives us purpose and freedom. Benedict loved his fellow man and saw firsthand what is necessary for true joy. Abandonment of our own temptations and desires opens us up to give everything to God and experience a completeness that can only come from Him. 

“The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from...

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...

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...