The Petrus Development Show

We are thrilled to invite you to our 2025 RAISE Regional Workshops.  As Andrew and Rhen share in the episode, Petrus is changing things up in 2025.  Instead of hosting a large multi-day annual conference in 2025, we're changing our education strategy and offering 3 single-day fundraising workshops in different regions of the country.  In making this shift, our annual RAISE event becomes more accessible for more fundraisers.  We would love for you to join us in New Orleans, Notre Dame, or Denver in 2025!

We return with an episode that explores how fundraisers should handle advice from donors, particularly when it comes with strings attached to financial contributions. 


In this episode, Andrew and Rhen chat about various ways to handle donors who, in addition to offering funds, also want to offer advice about how your organization should run its programs.  Andrew wisely distinguishes between valuable expertise-based advice (such as from building experts on construction projects) versus well-meaning, but potentially misaligned, suggestions based on personal preferences or outdated experiences.  When it comes down to it, Andrew emphasizes the importance of staying true to organizational mission even if it means declining donations with restrictive conditions.

Happy New Year!  We're back with our first Petrus Development Show episode of 2025, and we return with a discussion about fundraising attire.  Yep, you read that correctly.  We're talking about clothing.  In this episode, Andrew and Tara share details about how a fundraiser should dress for donor meetings and events.  We find this topic especially important because, as a fundraiser, your clothing should never be a distraction (for you or the donor!) in meetings.   



Join Rhen as he questions Andrew and Tara about all the clothing basics - from shoes to accessories and everything in between.  What you wear to donor meetings matters.  Not only do you want to feel comfortable and confident in front of donors, but you also want to appear professional, approachable, and authentic.

In response to repeated inquiries about foundation funding, Petrus offers this special deep dive into how to maximize grantwriting success.  Join Andrew and Rhen as they explore strategic approaches for nonprofits seeking grants. 


In this episode, Andrew and Rhen answer these questions AND MORE:

• Where can you find foundations that might support your organization?  Are there specific places to look for appropriate grant opportunities?
  
  
• What does it take to put together a successful grant proposal?
   
• What kind of projects do foundations like to fund?
  
  
• How can you improve your chances of getting a grant?
  
  
• How should you respond after you receive notification about your request? 

Andrew and Rhen cover all of these basics, and they offer important insights into how to improve your chances of getting the grants you want.  But, in the end, it all comes down to this:  Treat foundations as major gifts prospects, and do the necessary research and relationship building work.

We're glad you're back for our second Petrus Development Show episode highlighting etiquette tips for fundraisers.  As with our previous episode on good dining behavior, Andrew and Rhen offer specific rules for formal table manners.  Again, we know this is a unique topic for one of our shows, but as we all know, fundraising is about relationships.  If your dinner etiquette is rude or unappealing, it absolutely affects your ability to raise funds and grow donor relationships.  


If the summary for part 1 of our etiquette series was "do no harm", this second episode can be summed up with a short "follow their lead".  Watch your host and model your behavior after theirs.  In doing so, you are less likely to embarrass or offend!

We're shaking things up this week and going in a unexpected direction - we're talking about table manners and more!  In this episode,  Andrew and Rhen, as the leaders of our Petrus finishing school, discuss all things etiquette.  While, at first glance, this topic might seem superficial and tedious, Rhen and Andrew cover essential guidelines for fundraising professionals who interact with donors at formal events and meals. 


From best practices at cocktail receptions to proper dining etiquette during formal dinners, Andrew breaks down how to navigate these social situations professionally and gracefully. His advice focuses on two key approaches: strictly following traditional etiquette rules, or at minimum, following the principle of "do no harm".  The primary goal of any donor interaction is to avoid any social missteps that could impact future donor relationships.

From the fundamental importance of a clear case for support to the often-overlooked power of donor stewardship, Andrew and Rhen unpack what really matters in building a sustainable fundraising program. 


Learn why winging it without proper planning holds organizations back.  And, hear why personal donor outreach can't be skipped (even though it's scary!). Plus, get a bonus tip about why you don't have to go it alone in fundraising. Whether you're new to fundraising or looking to strengthen your foundation, this episode provides practical insights to help you move forward successfully.   


At the end of the episode, Rhen mentions several resources that Petrus has to assist with overcoming the roadblocks discussed in the episode.

• Find Petrus Development on LinkedIn (click HERE!) and start gathering wisdom from experienced fundraisers.
  
  
• Consider signing up for Petrus's Basic Online Advancement Training (nicknamed BOAT) is a 10-week, online course that offers a blueprint for building a self-sustaining fundraising program for your organization.  
  
   
• Do you need to create (or update) your organization's case for support?  If so, check out our Petrus resource, "Case Components Worksheet", to help you get started.  Click HERE to receive the free download.   

As Andrew shares early in this episode, 30 percent of nonprofit giving is done in December.  For this reason, your end-of-year appeal letter could be a major winner for your organization.  Listen as Andrew and Rhen discuss ways to make your end-of-year appeal planning as fruitful as possible.  If you take nothing else from this episode, remember this:  a clear and direct ask is the most important part of the appeal letter.   


In this episode, Andrew and Rhen answer the following questions:

• Why are end-of-year appeals so important?
  
  
• Are direct mail appeals worth the effort and expense?  Can I stick to email for a year-end appeal?
  
  
• Who should receive our year-end appeal?  When should end-of-year appeals be sent?
  
  
• What should be in the appeal letter itself?   Can you share some strategies for making our appeal letter more successful?

Do you need help getting started with your end-of-year appeal letter?  If so, click HERE for our editable Canva templates that you can customize to meet your organization's needs!

In this episode, Andrew and Rhen return with a short discussion on the pros and cons of giving days.  (Let it be known, however, that we at Petrus think the pros definitely outweigh the cons!) This episode is great for anyone who is curious about giving days and their potential for fundraising success.


In this episode, Andrew and Rhen answer the following questions:

• What is a giving day?  Why should fundraisers consider focusing efforts on a giving day?
  
  
• What are some examples of large national and regional giving days?
  
  
• What are the pros and cons of joining a national giving day?  What are the pros and cons of hosting your own stand alone giving day?
  
  
• What goes into a successful giving day?

When done well, giving days provide nonprofits with focused opportunities to connect with donors.  That said, giving days require thorough preparation in order to produce results.  Would it help for you to have additional step-by-step instructions on how to host a fruitful giving day?  If so, check out our Petrus course called, "Raising Money with a Giving Day!"  Click HERE for course details and registration options.

This week's episode of the Petrus Development Show is a unique one.  Join Rhen as he interviews Andrew Robison, owner and president of Petrus, about the history of Petrus and Andrew's role in making Petrus what it is today.  If you've ever wondered how Petrus got its start and became what it is today, this is the episode for you!  


Andrew shares his journey with Petrus, detailing his progression from part-time consultant to full-time staff member, from president to owner.  He offers a unique perspective into Petrus's development over the past decade.  


In addition to outlining the history of the organization, Andrew highlights the joys and the challenges that come with owning and building a successful business.  He shares pieces of his vision for Petrus's future, and he offers testimony to how remaining grounded in prayer, scripture, and life outside of business has kept him sane and moving Petrus forward boldly and faithfully.