The Petrus Development Show

The moment you've been waiting for is finally here—let's dive into the heart of capital campaigns! In this episode, Andrew and Rhen discuss the details of campaign execution, breaking down the two critical campaign phases: the silent phase and the public phase.  While the two phases are equally important, they serve different strategic purposes.  


To highlight these differences, Andrew takes you on a deep dive into both campaign phases, and he answers the questions every fundraiser needs to know:

• How long will each phase actually take? (Spoiler: it varies more than you think!)
• What should you expect at various points of the campaign?
• Should you set internal short-term goals to keep momentum?
• What should you do if and when things don't go as planned?

Andrew and Rhen close this episode with some wisdom from heir own personal experiences.  Capital campaigns are grueling.   Andrew doesn't sugarcoat it: this might be the toughest challenge of your fundraising career. But, when you cross that finish line, you'll look back on it as one of the most rewarding professional experiences you've ever had.


Are you interested in Petrus's free resource comparing the silent campaign phase to the public one?  If so, click HERE to download our summary chart.

Welcome back for part 2 of our 4-part series on all things capital campaigns!  Last week, Andrew and Rhen explored feasibility studies.  This week, they're tackling the critical preparation phase—that crucial period between your feasibility study and your first campaign ask.  


As Andrew emphasizes throughout this episode, the preparation phase is about winning the game on paper.  This is when your organization strategizes, prepares, and researches.  Andrew and Rhen walk through every strategic and administrative thing that needs to happen before you make your first campaign ask. Skip this phase, and you risk missing critical details, approaching donors unprepared, or worse! Like the feasibility study, this phase is an investment in your long-term success. Don't shortcut it—your campaign depends on getting this right.


To access Petrus's campaign preparation guide that Rhen mentions in the episode, please click HERE.

Join Andrew and Rhen as they kick off an 4-part series that walks you through every stage of capital campaigns—from those critical first steps of the feasibility study to the post-campaign transition back to your annual fund. Whether you're considering a campaign or just curious about the process, this series has everything you need to make informed decisions for your organization. 


Show Notes:
Before you start asking for major gifts, there's one crucial step that can make or break your campaign: the feasibility study. Andrew and Rhen share the reasons why Petrus consistently recommends this research phase—and why skipping it could be a costly mistake. 


A feasibility study gives you concrete data to answer the big questions: Is now the right time? Can we realistically reach our goal? What do our donors think of our proposed project?  A feasibility study is an important investment in your campaign's success, and it helps organizations make smart, strategic capital campagin decisions from day one. 


If you'd like our free resource on feasilbity studies, please click HERE.

Join Andrew as he reflects on how Catholic Social Teaching (CST), rooted in Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, fundamentally transforms his approach to fundraising.  Andrew shares a bit of the history of CST from Rerum Novarum to the present, and he explores how the CST values of human dignity, justice over charity, and solidarity over transactional relationships affect his work as a development professional.  (And, his personal volunteering priorities!) 


Andrew concludes by acknowledging that, while applying CST principles can be challenging, their value to fundraisers is clear.  As fundraisers, we invite donors to recognize that their willingness to give funds promotes solidarity and builds God's kingdom here on earth.


If you'd like to refer to the article Andrew mentions in the podcast, you can find it on our Petrus blog HERE.

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.