For many fundraisers, summer feels different.

The calendar lightens. Donors travel. The frantic pace of spring gives way to something less intense. That slowdown can feel like lost ground when fundraising is measured by visible activity.

It doesn't have to be.

A quieter stretch is one of...

Every fundraiser eventually walks out of a donor meeting thinking, well, that didn't go how I planned.

Maybe the donor was cold. Maybe leadership said the wrong thing. Maybe the setting was a disaster. Maybe you realized halfway through that this was absolutely not the moment for an ask.

The...

Whether you lead a Catholic school, a parish, or a mission-driven apostolate, fundraising training can be the difference between surviving and thriving. This guide breaks down what to look for, what to avoid, and how to find a program that fits your organization's mission and capacity.

Why Catho...

Many Catholic fundraisers enter this work with a deep sense of purpose. They are motivated by faith, drawn to the mission, and willing to give generously of themselves. That sense of calling is often what sustains them through long days, tight deadlines, and difficult conversations.

It is also, ...

It's an exciting time at Petrus as we launch our newest podcast for Catholic fundraising professionals, Catholic Tech Table.  In this introductory episode, Andrew shares an overview for this podcast's future, and he highlights how Catholic professionals can wisely navigate AI usage in their ministri...

Most fundraisers don’t fail because they lack good ideas.
They fail because they keep abandoning good work in search of better ideas.

Creativity gets most of the attention in fundraising conversations. 

New events. New campaigns. New messaging angles. New tools. New platforms. 

There is a...

When you walk into a donor meeting, you’re not just bringing your case for support, you’re bringing yourself. 

How you present yourself matters. 

Attire won’t close a gift on its own, but the wrong choices can distract, undercut confidence, and even send unintended signals. 

Fundraisers ...

If you have been in fundraising for any length of time, you’ve probably received some advice that made you stop and think, “There is no way that actually works.” 

Sometimes this advice comes from well-meaning friends, board members, or even other nonprofit leaders. The problem is that bad Cathol...

Picture this: Your organization's biggest donor prospect has finally agreed to meet about funding your new project. They're busy, they're selective about their philanthropic investments, and they've just said those magic words: 

"Let's discuss this over dinner. You pick the place." 

Suddenly, y...

By Andrew Robison, Petrus President

As a Catholic fundraising professional with two decades of experience working alongside Church and nonprofit leaders, I've witnessed firsthand how Catholic Social Teaching (CST) shapes successful fundraising practices. The intersection of these principles wi...

Father Michael had seen it all before. A generous donor seemed enthusiastic, nodding along, asking great questions, and even mentioning how much they admired the campus ministry's mission. 

Then came the ask. 

The donor smiled, said they’d think about it, and promised to follow up soon. Week...

If you could make your donor calls 16 times more effective, would you? Of course you would. And the best part? You don’t need a new CRM, a bigger list, or a groundbreaking pitch. 

It just takes is three simple adjustments, all backed by research.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re data-driven ch...