The Petrus Development Show

194 - What We Wish We Knew (Fundraising Advice to Our Younger Selves)

Join Andrew and Rhen, two veteran fundraisers, as they have a fun chat about the advice they'd give themselves if they could turn back the clocks to when they first started fundraising.  They offer this advice to new fundraisers, just getting started in their careers, in hopes that it'll encourage and offer reassurance.   Core themes during their chat include the importance of bold, specific asks (since a "no" is often just a delayed "yes"), building a fundraising operation where annual giving and major gifts work together, keeping messaging simple and repetitive, and leaning on professional networks and mentors rather than going it alone. And, if you're looking for structured professional development opportunities this summer, check out Petrus's Summer Coaching Sprint [https://www.petrusdevelopment.com/sprint].  Spend 3 months this summer with a Petrus coach and receive fundraising advice, mentorship, and more!

193 - The Ultimate Nonprofit Summer Reading List

It's time to talk books! 📚  In this episode of the Petrus Development Show, Andrew and Rhen swap their usual fundraising advice for something a little more relaxed:  their all-time favorite non-fiction reads.  This episode offers a summer reading list from two people who've actually put these books to work — in their professional lives and in their personal lives. From effective business and marketing strategies to personal growth game-changers, Andrew and Rhen share details of how their favorite books made a difference in their lives.  Settle in with your coffee and a pen and paper and make a list of books to add to your summer reading list.  There's something for everyone! 🌟 And, if you're looking for structured, summertime professional development, check out Petrus's newest coaching option, our Summer Coaching Sprint.  Join us for 3 months of coaching calls and access to Petrus resources, and you'll end spring with your fall fundraising plan ready to go.  For more info, click HERE [https://www.petrusdevelopment.com/summer].

192 - Fundraising Has a System — And You Can Learn It

Rhen is back on the Petrus Development Show with an exciting guest along for the ride. Meet Jenni Reamer, Petrus coursewriter and fundraising educator, who joins Rhen for a candid, thoughtful conversation about one of the most daunting challenges in the nonprofit world: building a fundraising program from scratch. Drawing from her firsthand experience launching a fundraising program for a college campus ministry, Jenni gets real about the highs, the lows, and everything in between. What kept her going when things got tough? What surprised her most along the way? She shares it all — and her biggest takeaway might just be the encouragement you need to hear: fundraising has a system. With the right training and processes in place, even first-time fundraisers can find their footing and thrive. If you want to dive deeper into the building blocks of a successful fundraising program, consider joining the Petrus BOAT Program this summer. As Rhen and Jenni break it down, BOAT is all about understanding how fundraising activities connect — and how smart strategy and intentional planning can make a real difference in your results. Don't miss it!

191 - You Have a Leadership Committee — Now What?

Welcome back!  In our previous episode, we explored why every organization needs a fundraising leadership committee (and how to form one!), but now it's time to answer the question that really matters: What do you actually do with one?  Matt joins Rhen again this week to dig into the nuts and bolts of ongoing committee management. Building your leadership committee is just the beginning. The real work starts when they show up to serve. As Matt emphasized last time, this is a working committee. Members are expected to share potential donor names, make meaningful introductions, and help organize cultivation events — but none of that happens effectively without the right training. Matt shares his go-to training methods, the most common leadership committee mistakes he's witnessed firsthand, and practical advice for handling members who aren't pulling their weight.  Whether you're building from scratch or breathing new life into an existing committee, this episode is for you.

190 - Build It Right: Leadership Committees Done Well

What makes a great leadership committee — and who should be on it? In this week's episode, Rhen sits down with special guest Matt Bond to unpack one of the more beneficial, yet confusing, structures in fundraising. Whether it's called an advisory committee, a fundraising committee, or a capital campaign committee, don't get hung up on the name — the function is what matters.  Rhen and Matt dig into the ideal size, scope, and makeup of an effective committee. They get specific about who belongs at the table, and as Rhen summarizes, it likely comes down to three things: faith, influence, and affluence. Matt also pulls back the curtain on the common mistakes leaders make — the kind that can quietly undermine even the most well-intentioned committee. And just when you think you have the full picture, Rhen ends the episode on a cliffhanger. This episode covers the roles and responsibilities of leadership committee formation, but tune in next time for a deep dive into day-to-day committee management.