It seems obvious that communities should help their members in need, but —but is it really? The reasons behind our philanthropic impulses have shifted dramatically throughout American history, and they're shaped by the social ideals and influential figures of each era. 

• Why (and how) do we care for those who struggle?  
  
  
• What makes American philanthropy unique compared to other countries?
  
  
• How did we develop our particular approach to caring for community members who struggle?

Join Andrew and Rhen as they explore these questions through the lens of United States history. Andrew's passion for both philanthropy and the past guides listeners through the distinct phases of American giving—revealing how we arrived at today's charitable landscape and what drove us there.

It's back-to-school season, which means development teams are mapping out their fundraising calendars—and facing the same ol' dilemma. Do you throw a glitzy gala for 500 people, or host intimate wine tastings in board members' living rooms? 


Big events look impressive on paper (and in those Instagram posts). But, here's what most organizations don't calculate: the hidden costs of staff burnout, volunteer fatigue, and months of planning that could be spent actually building relationships with donors. 


Andrew makes a compelling case for why he's ditching the ballroom for the living room. Spoiler alert: It's not just about saving money—it's about creating genuine connections that turn one-time attendees into lifelong supporters.

This week, Andrew and Rhen are stepping away from the usual fundraising how-tos to explore something deeper: the real difference between charity and philanthropy. 


Turns out, these terms aren't interchangeable after all. While we often use them as synonyms, Andrew explains why that's actually doing our ministries a disservice. Each approach represents a fundamentally different way of creating impact, and understanding the distinction could reshape how you think about your work.


What does this mean for your ministry? This thoughtful conversation will have you reflecting on whether your organization leans more charitable or philanthropic, and why that matters for the communities you serve.  As Andrew notes, the most effective Catholic ministries don't necessarily pick sides—they find ways to blend both approaches thoughtfully.

Andrew and Rhen are back on the Petrus Development Show to tackle the nitty-gritty campaign questions that keep development professionals up at night—the ones that often get pushed aside until they become urgent problems. 


What You'll Discover in this Episode:
The Naming Game: When and how should your campaign offer naming opportunities? 

Annual Fund Flexibility: Can you really stretch annual giving into multi-year commitments without shooting yourself in the foot? The answer might surprise you (and transform your donor retention strategy).

The Pledge Timeline Sweet Spot: Is there a Goldilocks zone for capital campaign pledges—not too short, not too long, but just right?  What should you consider when planning your campaign?   

The Reality Check: What percentage of pledges actually get paid, and how can you stack the odds in your favor?


Join Andrew and Rhen as they share real-world wisdom that comes from years in the trenches, perfect for any fundraiser who wants to master the subtle art of strategic solicitation.

In this week's episode of the Petrus Development Show, Rhen chats with Josh Weimer, Petrus's summer intern. 


We invite you to spend 20 minutes getting to know Josh and his role with Petrus.  As our youngest Petrus employee, Josh offers unique insight into generational differences in fundraising, and he shares the things that have surprised him most about his introduction to Catholic fundraising at Petrus.

Fundraising professionals often ask Petrus about the nuances of soliciting donations. Join Andrew and Rhen as they tackle two of the most frequently asked questions that every development professional faces: 


How many donor visits should happen before making the ask? There's no magic number, but timing and relationship-building are crucial. Andrew breaks down the factors that determine when you're ready to make your move.


Is it acceptable to solicit major gifts over Zoom? The pandemic changed everything about donor engagement, but does virtual fundraising actually work for significant asks?


While these questions might seem straightforward, the answers involve complex considerations about relationship cultivation and strategic timing. Andrew provides practical insights and real-world examples that will help you approach your next solicitation with confidence.

Have you ever wondered how Petrus views its role as a fundraising coach?  Or, why Petrus offers services the way we do?  If so, this episode is for you!  Andrew and Rhen take a look at all the ways fundraising consulting services can be offered, and they share details on Petrus's educational and service philosophy.  Petrus is a "teach to fish" consulting firm.  Listen in to learn what "teach to fish" means to us and hear how we coach our clients to build the skills necessary to maintain a sustainable, successful fundraising program for years to come!

Andrew and Rhen are back with a fun episode this week where they discuss and debunk all kinds of fundraising myths.  Rhen comes armed with nearly 20 fundraising myths that have been misleading nonprofits for years, and Andrew doesn't hold back in unpacks each one with hard truths and real-world wisdom. 


A very small sample of the fundraising myths discussed includes:

• Skip hiring a fundraiser - people will automatically give to organizations doing good work. (Spoiler:  they won't!)
  
  
• Donors hate being contacted by fundraisers.  (Often, the opposite is true!)
  
  
• Organizations need to host big events to make big money. (Small moves, big impact!)
  
  
• A single big donor can fund everything!  (Recipe for disaster.)
  
  
• Introverts cannot be successful fundraisers. (Some of the best are quiet powerhouses.)

 

Do you think Andrew got it wrong on any of these?  We want to hear your take!  Drop us a line at [email protected] and join the debate.

What if you could have an intern who works 24/7, never complains about tedious tasks, and costs almost nothing? While finding human help for repetitive fundraising tasks can be challenging and expensive, AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing how nonprofit development offices operate.


Join Andrew and Rhen as they explore the practical ways artificial intelligence can become your most valuable (and affordable) team member. They'll share specific strategies for leveraging AI in fundraising while highlighting the crucial boundaries every development professional needs to understand.

Andrew begins this episode by emphasizing that fundraisers should expect failures as normal parts of the job.  There's no way to avoid potential donors who respond unfavorably, and to effectively handle this inevitable rejection, fundraisers have to remember that rejection isn't personal.  Donors have countless reasons for declining that rarely relate to the fundraiser themselves.


After sharing their list of daunting statistics for fundraisers, Andrew and Rhen follow up by discussing coping strategies for perceived failure.  Long story short:  a resilient mindset and supportive community help fundraisers persist through challenges, knowing that facing and overcoming failure is fundamental to eventual fundraising success.