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Mission-focused leaders often prioritize compassion and team harmony—but sometimes at the expense of accountability. In this podcast, host Jay Werth and guest Chris Wong, who advises both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, discuss how leaders can hold people to standards without abandoning empathy, and how this balance improves culture, performance, and impact.

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In this episode of The Difference podcast, Host Jay Werth is joined by Convergent's Pam Reid and Andy Brubaker to discuss Effective Board Management. Topics discussed include: 

• Governance vs. management (setting boundaries)
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Effective use of committees and task forces
• Assessing performance & handling underperformance
• Keeping members engaged and developing their leadership

If you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to join us for our upcoming webinar "Board Members' Role in Fundraising" on November 13 at 1:30 PM ET. Register Now!

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In this episode of 'The Difference', we explore how great communities don’t just attract businesses, they inspire people to put down roots.

Join Brian Abernathy, General Manager at Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, and Jerald Mitchell, President & CEO of Beaten Path LLC, as they dive into the power of placemaking as a catalyst for economic growth. 

Discover how shaping community identity, investing in public spaces, and building with intention can transform a region’s trajectory, fueling investment, attracting top talent, and sparking long-term prosperity.

If you’re passionate about creating communities where people and businesses thrive, this conversation is a must-listen. 

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In this episode of The Difference podcast, Host Jay Werth is joined by Convergent's Pam Reid and Andy Brubaker to discuss Recruiting the Right Board Members. Topics discussed include: 

• Why thoughtful board recruitment matters
• Common mistakes in recruitment
• Identifying strong candidates beyond your circle
• Evaluating fit (skills, mission-alignment, diversity, and affiliations)
• Aligning and cultivating Interest and making the ask effectively
• Clarifying expectations and securing commitment

If you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to join us for our upcoming webinar "Effective Board Management" on October 16 at 1:30 PM ET. Register Now!

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Joe April, Convergent Senior Partner, and Dr. John Rainone, President of Virginia’s Mountain Gateway Community College, and a Convergent Senior Counsel join the host of the Develop This! podcast, Dennis Fraise, in this special episode, to discuss leveraging community colleges to address workforce needs. 

Joe shares his transformation, which was made possible through community college support, and John highlights the importance of entrepreneurial approaches, citing his college's $7.3 million renovation, which was funded by public-private partnerships. 

Both emphasize the need for flexible, short-term training programs to meet industry demands—both note trends like apprenticeships and regional collaborations. 

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In this thought-provoking episode, Host Jay Werth sits down with Greg Warner, CEO and founder of MarketSmart, to explore the paradigm shift reshaping nonprofit fundraising. With nearly two decades of experience in philanthropy and tech innovation, Warner critiques outdated, organization-centric models and champions a more human-centered, donor-driven approach rooted in empathy, data, and value exchange.

Together, they unpack why traditional fundraising methods are falling short with modern donors—and how nonprofits must evolve. Warner explains how meaningful engagement, donor readiness, and intentional experience design are becoming core to successful major and legacy gift strategies.

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After three years of declining donations, 2024 delivered a reversal that has nonprofit leaders everywhere asking: "Is this rebound for real?" 

In this insightful analysis linked to the 2025 Giving USA Report, Convergent Principal Tom Ralser and General Manager, Brian Abernathy, join Jay Werth to reveal the drivers behind donor behavior, not just economic indicators.

This is a strategic deep-dive connecting the dots between market psychology, donor motivation, and practical fundraising success. Understanding these insights could be the difference between riding the wave of renewed giving or watching it roll on by.

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In this episode, Convergent's Funding Strategist, Katie Davenport, shares her inspiring journey from middle school science teacher to Executive Director of the Greenwood Promise. She discusses how the program provides tuition-free education to students in Greenwood County, building a skilled workforce and strengthening the local economy. Katie opens up about overcoming fundraising challenges, the growing impact of promise programs nationwide, and the vital role of early and continuous student engagement. 

Tune in to hear how holistic support and community partnerships are transforming lives through education!

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Convergent's Jay Werth and Pam Reid discuss the importance of conducting a feasibility study before launching a capital or comprehensive campaign. 

Pam emphasizes that feasibility studies provide crucial intelligence for a case for investment development and informed decision-making. She also introduces the IMPACT acronym for case content: Introduction, Mission, Problem, Actual Impact, Call to Action, and Transparency. Pam advises that draft cases should be concise, visually appealing, and tailored to the audience. 

Curious why Comprehensive Campaigns are a game-changer for nonprofit fundraising? Sign up for updates!

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Convergent Nonprofit Solutions' Tom Ralser explains why Asking Rights™ raises the sights for your organization's donors. Join Tom and The Difference Host Jay Werth as they discuss how nonprofit leaders and organizations can move the funding process from a charity mindset to one of investment. You don't want to miss it!