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...

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...

By Mary Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor

I love the late winter —the time when football season isn’t quite over, and basketball season is ramping up. There are WAY MORE games on TV than are good for me to watch! 

On any team, players have “basic” responsibilities, but are also specialists. Eac...

Nobody goes to college to learn how to be a fundraiser. So many times, development professionals tend to end up in the field almost by accident.

Without that educational background, the best practices for raising substantial money for a nonprofit are not always obvious or intuitive.

Many ...

By Chris Scroggin, Petrus Consultant

Have you ever wondered what art and science have in common? 

Art draws on emotions.

Science uses rational thought.

But, science and art both demand creativity and excellent observational skills. 

Most techniques used by artists even have interesting scient...

 By Mary Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor

A group of people are sitting around a table. There are probably some snacks. A leader speaks with passion about some great need in the parish, Church, or community. The leader shares her vision of how major change can come about. She invites those arou...

By Andrew Robinson, Petrus President

Recently, my family and I stayed in an Airbnb. I had an interesting encounter with an appliance that illustrates a problem that a lot of nonprofit leaders struggle with.

Your dishwasher can actually dry your dishes...



You’re probably wondering why this w...

By Bryan Wilburn, Director of Development, St. Paul’s Newman Center at NDSU

What can you do when you’re in a rut? 

I suppose one option would be to stay there. To act as if it’s not happening and try to power through on your own. Oftentimes though, the first step to getting better is admitt...

By Mary Hernandez, Petrus Blog Contributor

Three Cheers for the Class Gift

The class gift tradition is widely recognized in educational circles. Schools have received benches, statues, fountains, trees, and other commemorative items from grateful grads. Many Catholic ministries have invited...

By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor & Local Charity Board Member

In-Person Conferences: They’re BACK!!!

For over a year, we’ve zoomed our way through classes, conferences and special events. I have two fundraising lunches and a state convention on my calendar in the next month. In-perso...

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 an...

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.

...