Petrus Blog

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 and nonprofit leaders the tools and strategies to make their virtual fundraising events a success in 2021. 

"I am thrilled with the caliber of speakers that will be joining us for the Digital Gatherings summit on January 13," said Andrew Robison, president of Petrus. "We wanted presenters who have 'been there and done that' so that the advice is based on what has and will work. Having Chris join the slate is exciting because he really understands why it is important for the Church to pivot to new strategies to reach Catholics where they are."

Register at https://www.petrusdevelopment.com/summit

Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, who...

Week 2 of the COVID-19 Fundraising Virtual Summit by Petrus is in the books. It was an amazing week and I still feel incredibly privileged to have been a part of it. The speakers were amazing, the attendees were engaged and excited and I could feel the level of positivity increasing with each passing day. So here are some of my takeaways from the week. 

1. Donors are still giving so fundraisers should not stop fundraising. We had a number of stories of donors stepping up this week to make very generous gifts to support ministries they believe in. Frank from the School of Faith in Kansas City told a story of receiving a $100,000 check in the mail from a donor who made the gift now because she “knew this crisis would affect their fundraising” and she didn’t want to see them suffer. Courtney at Tulane Catholic told about receiving a $5,000 online gift after sending out an email with a link to give. And Julie shared a story of a $25,000 gift from a first-time donor...

This week on the COVID-19 Fundraising Virtual Summit by Petrus, Kerry Robinson, Global Ambassador for Leadership Roundtable and author of Imagining Abundance, shared her "9 Maxims for Leadership" - true anytime but especially in chaotic times like these. 

1. People come first.
2. Diversity matters. Ensure diversity at the tables of decision-making.
3. Be decisive and confident (“Go ahead and do things. The bigger the better if your intentions are sound.” – John Raskob)
4. Remain truthful and positive. Keep perspective- immediate and near future.
5. Communicate with consistency and frequency. Communicate solutions, not only problems. Highlight positive stories.
6. Leaders: Care for personnel. Care for constituencies (mission). Care for finances and operations.
7. Live out of mission in adaptable ways. Be nimble. Practice innovation and creativity.
8. Lead with core values.
9. Out of suffering springs new life (Paschal Mystery).

If you missed the session, you can watch the full...

Darin Paine, PhD, presented at the Petrus Fundraising Virtual Summit 2020

We are continuing to move forward through the uncertainty surrounding us. And as we do, we can be encouraged by our community that continues to learn from, support and lean on one another.

The following is an addendum to Day 3 (March 19th) of the COVID-19 & Fundraising Virtual Summit session. 

"When a plan is in place we often focus on what it will accomplish.  However, we may miss critical considerations or get derailed by unexpected variables.  But, what if considering the unexpected was part of the plan?  What if the unexpected had already been discussed? 

Red Teaming is a way to question the plan, to identify weaknesses, to give your rogue colleagues a voice - without being a jerk - and incorporate more of your organization.  With historical roots to modern day military training, Red Teaming can help you conquer the competition by challenging everything. 

Based on...