Commentary - "AI and the Future of Generosity" by Nathan Chappell
By Sarah Rose, Petrus Director of Communications
Recently, I was invited to watch one of OSV talks titled “AI and the Future of Generosity” by Nathan Chappell, Senior Vice President of DonorSearch Aristotle.
The OSV Talks are a “series of topics from Catholic leaders to spark discussion, explore new, or re-explore old approaches, and inspire creative thinking, all from the heart of the church.”
In the talk “AI and the Future of Generosity,” Nathan Chappell answers the question “How do you solve the world’s most pressing issues?” in 18 minutes or less.
The simplified conclusion is INCREASE GENEROSITY. Now we’re talking!
Nathan leads the research and development division at DonorSearch Artistotle. In other words, he is a data man.
According to Nathan, the data shows that last year 56% of Americans made donations. And the average American gave about 2% of their income to charity.
If Americans...
Building a More Connected Church - An Interview with Matthew Warner on the Petrus Development Show
In this episode, Andrew visits with Matthew Warner, founder and president of Flocknote, a technology company with a mission to build a more connected Church. As part of this mission, Matthew is driven to understand and educate priests and ministry leaders on how to connect specifically with the middle 82 percent of Catholics. Those Catholics that are neither dynamic nor absent Catholics but, rather, somewhere in the middle in terms of involvement. Andrew and Matthew discuss communication, leadership, fundraising, ministry and even touch on a few favorite television shows of theirs.
Show Notes:
Background
Matthew Warner is a fellow Aggie Catholic. Born and raised Catholic, was always good about going to Mass but wasn't sure that he always realized the gift that it was.
After college, he began working and figuring out what his faith really meant to him.
As he went deeper with his faith life, he was becoming more involved in the church and discovering the...
A Handful of Wax - An Interview with Cory Howat on the Petrus Development Show
In this episode, Andrew visits with Cory Howat, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the founder of #iGiveCatholic. If you have ever spoken with anyone from Louisiana, odds are you have heard a good story. Today, Cory shared with us some wild tales of rubber chickens, crying with priests and bishops and even a brief mention of that time he met Michael Jackson that will not disappoint. In the midst of those stories, he also shared so many nuggets of wisdom about fundraising, stewardship, generosity and having a heart for serving the people of the Church. You’ll laugh, you’ll probably cry and you will definitely learn something new about development.
Show Notes:
Cory Howat, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the founder of #iGiveCatholic
Background
A prayer in his junior year of high school, "Lord, use me."
He became familiar with...
What Development Means to Me
By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor & Local Charity Board Member
What Development Means to Me
I was blessed with generous parents. At a very young age, I learned that development is a family project that requires planning and commitment.
When I was kid, before paychecks were automatically deposited, my dad would cash his check at the bank every other week, and bring a stack of money home. My mom would divide the cash into piles: for food, utilities, mortgage, kids’ allowances, savings, and the parish pew collection. At the time, I didn’t realize I was absorbing a lesson that has shaped my own giving.
You are more likely to give to a ministry, others, or to a good cause if you PLAN ahead and are committed.
My parents also “made” us put some of our allowance in the collection basket. The message was clear, “YOU are part of this Church, and YOU have a FINANCIAL obligation toward her mission.”
One day when I was complaining about...
Blueprint for Development: Communications on the Petrus Development Show
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...
Legend of the Bluebonnet
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...
OSV Innovation Challenge - An Interview with Dr. Matt Smith on the Petrus Development Show
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...
A Master Class in Major Gift Fundraising - An Interview with Patrick Williams on the Petrus Development Show
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...
Saving Tolkien's House: Project Northmoor - An Interview with Julia Golding on the Petrus Development Show
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,...
Women in Philanthropy Part 2 - An Interview with Kathleen Criscione on the Petrus Development Show
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...
