Fundraising TLC: Unleashing Generosity

In part 2 of our conversation with Thomas Smith, we peel back the layers of development and get into everything from the incredibly personal nature of fundraising to recent trends that have impacted approaches to asks and overall giving.

ABOUT THOMAS SMITH

Thomas Smith started as the Director of the Office of Development & Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Newark in October 2021. In this role, he oversees all of the development vehicles of the Archdiocese of Newark as well as the parishes and ministries within. This includes and is not limited to the Annual Appeal, capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving efforts, and offertory programs.

Thomas previously served as the Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Metuchen. Prior to joining the Diocese of Metuchen in 2019, he spent four years as a Director in the Superintendent’s Office at The Archdiocese of New York. Prior to that, he spent 10 years with Lynch Development Associates, a Catholic development consulting firm, serving as Vice President for four years. By addressing the structural and fiscal needs of Archdiocese, Diocese, Catholic parishes, Catholic schools, and various ministries and focusing on feasibility and strategic planning, capital campaigns, stewardship initiatives, and increased offertory programs and annual appeals, he raised over $115 million.

Thomas also serves on various school boards and is a member of the Order of Malta and the Knights of Columbus.

He and his wife, Carmen, presently reside in northern New Jersey with their two daughters, Sofia and Lucia. Thomas and his wife are parishioners the Church of Saint Mary in Rutherford, NJ.

Connect with Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-smith-75817b67/

Learn more about the Archdiocese of Newark: https://www.rcan.org/

In part 1 of our conversation with Thomas Smith, Director of the Office of Development & Stewardship at the Archdiocese of Newark, we hone in on donor communications and the importance of sharing how donations are being utilized.

ABOUT THOMAS SMITH

Thomas Smith started as the Director of the Office of Development & Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Newark in October 2021. In this role, he oversees all of the development vehicles of the Archdiocese of Newark as well as the parishes and ministries within. This includes and is not limited to the Annual Appeal, capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving efforts, and offertory programs.

Thomas previously served as the Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Metuchen. Prior to joining the Diocese of Metuchen in 2019, he spent four years as a Director in the Superintendent’s Office at The Archdiocese of New York. Prior to that, he spent 10 years with Lynch Development Associates, a Catholic development consulting firm, serving as Vice President for four years. By addressing the structural and fiscal needs of Archdiocese, Diocese, Catholic parishes, Catholic schools, and various ministries and focusing on feasibility and strategic planning, capital campaigns, stewardship initiatives, and increased offertory programs and annual appeals, he raised over $115 million.

Thomas also serves on various school boards and is a member of the Order of Malta and the Knights of Columbus.

He and his wife, Carmen, presently reside in northern New Jersey with their two daughters, Sofia and Lucia. Thomas and his wife are parishioners the Church of Saint Mary in Rutherford, NJ.

Connect with Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-smith-75817b67/

Learn more about the Archdiocese of Newark: https://www.rcan.org/

We’re excited to announce that Fundraising TLC will be back for season 2!

Premiering on Monday, March 20, this season will feature an array of fundraising experts in the faith-based space who not only provide strategic insights from a 30,000-foot view, but also get into the weeds about ways you can quickly and effectively enhance your

Make sure to sure to subscribe and tune in every Monday. 

In the second part of our conversation with Seth Colton, President & Managing Partner at The Lukens Company, we put a microscope to the processes of donor acquisition and segmentation. We discuss the intersection of direct mail and digital marketing and how it will impact the industry in the years to come.

ABOUT SETH COLTON

As President & Managing Partner, Seth leads The Lukens Company (TLC) with creativity, energy, and a commitment to our clients and the unique ways in which they’re making the world better. With over a decade of experience focused on marketing, communications, and development for regional, national, and international nonprofits, Seth is well-known for his daring creative approach and track record of innovation that has transformed fundraising and marketing programs of all sizes. In his role, he drives new business development efforts, corporate communications, and product development while managing TLC’s day-to-day and strategic direction.

Seth is the recipient of the AAPC’s 2017 40 under 40 Award as well as multiple Communicator Awards and MAXI Awards. His work has been extensively featured by MSNBC, ABC, and CNN, and he regularly presents at a number of industry conferences.

Always up for a good challenge, Seth is a proud Eagle Scout and, on a bet, became an Emergency Medical Technician. In his spare time, Seth enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring the outdoors with his wife and two sons.

Connect with Seth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-colton-05a96062/

Follow TLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lukens-company/

In part 1 of our conversation with Seth Colton, President & Managing Partner at The Lukens Company, we break down some of the biggest challenges facing fundraisers. Additionally, we dissect the ever-changing landscape and the importance of genuineness and benevolence in the search for donors.

ABOUT SETH COLTON

As President & Managing Partner, Seth leads The Lukens Company (TLC) with creativity, energy, and a commitment to our clients and the unique ways in which they’re making the world better. With over a decade of experience focused on marketing, communications, and development for regional, national, and international nonprofits, Seth is well-known for his daring creative approach and track record of innovation that has transformed fundraising and marketing programs of all sizes. In his role, he drives new business development efforts, corporate communications, and product development while managing TLC’s day-to-day and strategic direction.

Seth is the recipient of the AAPC’s 2017 40 under 40 Award as well as multiple Communicator Awards and MAXI Awards. His work has been extensively featured by MSNBC, ABC, and CNN, and he regularly presents at a number of industry conferences.

Always up for a good challenge, Seth is a proud Eagle Scout and, on a bet, became an Emergency Medical Technician. In his spare time, Seth enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring the outdoors with his wife and two sons.

Connect with Seth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-colton-05a96062/

Follow TLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lukens-company/

In part 2 of our conversation with John Morey, market research expert and President of Morey Group, we continue our discussion on audience surveys and insights. We dive into how market research can improve your donor development, ways technology has and continues to transform the industry, and why benchmarks shouldn’t always be your North Star.

ABOUT JOHN MOREY

Since 1995, John Morey has worked with more than 500 clients helping them do better by improving experiences, maximizing revenue (admission, membership, donor), on more than 3000 projects.

John served as the Treasurer for the AAM CARE committee and CARE Southeastern Representative between 2006 and 2009. John enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters on the boat, fishing, surfing, and playing golf. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wyoming. He is based out of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-morey-1310939/

Learn more about Morey Group: https://www.moreygroup.com/

In the first episode of our two-part conversation with John Morey, market research expert and President of Morey Group, we peel back the workings of audience surveys. We examine how collecting data and utilizing various survey elements can help you make sense of your data to better prioritize your fundraising efforts.

ABOUT JOHN MOREY

Since 1995, John Morey has worked with more than 500 clients helping them do better by improving experiences, maximizing revenue (admission, membership, donor), on more than 3000 projects.

John served as the Treasurer for the AAM CARE committee and CARE Southeastern Representative between 2006 and 2009. John enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters on the boat, fishing, surfing, and playing golf. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wyoming. He is based out of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-morey-1310939/

Learn more about Morey Group: https://www.moreygroup.com/

In part 2 of our conversation with David DiNapoli, Director of Mission Advancement at the Archdiocese of Denver, we delve into the why behind giving. We discuss the impact that generosity, faith, and connection have on organizations’ donor development and fundraising efforts.

ABOUT DAVID DINAPOLI

Prior to serving as the Director of Mission Advancement in the Archdiocese of Denver, David DiNapoli served as the Director of Development for the Diocese of Portland. He previously worked as a Director for Changing Our World, conducting Capital Campaigns and studies with a number of Dioceses and Archdioceses as well as other nonprofits.  David also consulted in the Archdiocese of Chicago designing and implementing a strategic planning process for all parishes across Chicagoland. In the Archdiocese of New York, David provided professional stewardship education and fundraising services to Archdiocesan parishes and effectively led numerous campaigns in the areas of increased offertory and capital campaigns. David lives with his wife Ellen and their 7 children in Parker, Colorado. They are expecting baby #8, who is due to arrive this Christmas Eve, God willing!

David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and was fortunate to study abroad in Austria. During his college years, David participated in missions in the jungles of Ecuador.

Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedinapoli/

Learn more about the Archdiocese of Denver: https://archden.org/

In part 1 of our conversation with David DiNapoli, Director of Mission Advancement at the Archdiocese of Denver, we get into the purpose behind fundraising, specifically as it pertains to major gifts. We touch on the importance of mission and connecting to a new generation of donors.

ABOUT DAVID DINAPOLI

Prior to serving as the Director of Mission Advancement in the Archdiocese of Denver, David DiNapoli served as the Director of Development for the Diocese of Portland. He previously worked as a Director for Changing Our World, conducting Capital Campaigns and studies with a number of Dioceses and Archdioceses as well as other nonprofits.  David also consulted in the Archdiocese of Chicago designing and implementing a strategic planning process for all parishes across Chicagoland. In the Archdiocese of New York, David provided professional stewardship education and fundraising services to Archdiocesan parishes and effectively led numerous campaigns in the areas of increased offertory and capital campaigns. David lives with his wife Ellen and their 7 children in Parker, Colorado. They are expecting baby #8, who is due to arrive this Christmas Eve, God willing!

David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and was fortunate to study abroad in Austria. During his college years, David participated in missions in the jungles of Ecuador.

Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedinapoli/

Learn more about the Archdiocese of Denver: https://archden.org/

In the second episode of our two-part conversation with James Knode, Vice President of Creative at The Lukens Company, we continue discussing methods to connect creative with donors. We dig deep on a variety of topics, including tone, balanced communications, and steps to create effective appeals.

ABOUT JAMES KNODE

As Vice President of Creative at The Lukens Company (TLC), James drives the creative process—from the overarching strategy to concepts for fundraising packages to compelling copywriting that spurs immediate action. Known for his ability to blend a client’s authentic, unique voice with time-tested marketing techniques that persuade people to donate, James takes pride in delivering top-notch creative work for our roster of clients. His work has garnered a variety industry awards.

Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knode-452ab472/

Follow TLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lukens-company/