The Difference: Nonprofit Fundraising in a For-Profit World

In this episode of 'The Difference', join host Jay Werth, and guest, Tom Ralser, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions' Principal and Director of Asking Rights. Tom Ralser has a three-decade career in fundraising. He’s consulted with and added value to numerous nonprofit organizations, and pioneered applying return on investment principles to nonprofit fundraising. In this episode, Tom will give an overview of "asking rights" and how it focuses on the value outcomes that nonprofit organizations deliver to donors or investors, a term Convergent stresses in its communications. For more information to assist you with your fundraising efforts, visit convergentnonprofit.com.

Tune in to hear Jay Werth's latest conversation on 'The Difference' podcast with Convergent's Project Director, Andy Brubaker. Brubaker just finished an incredible two-week volunteer deployment with the American Red Cross in Georgia, where he supported disaster response and relief efforts. He describes what it was like to help Georgia’s communities affected by Hurricane Helene and witness the resilience and strength of those impacted.

Mike Goorhouse, Founder of Inspiring Impact, explains how planned giving can be transformational for nonprofits.Speaker BioMike Goorhouse is Founder and Lead Consultant at Inspiring Impact, LLC, a firm dedicated to helping nonprofit and philanthropic organizations effectively inspire change in their community.He has spent his entire career in philanthropy including working with Family Foundations, Community Foundations and Youth Grantmakers while at the Council of Michigan Foundations and serving as President/CEO for the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) for 10 years.Mike’s most notable accomplishments during his time at CFHZ include successfully completing a $35 million unrestricted endowment campaign which included 100 new estate gift commitments and launching a multi-sector collaborative effort to significantly improve the affordability of local housing options. During his leadership, CFHZ tripled its assets from $40 million to $120 million, grew annual gifts from $5 million to $20 million and expanded its community impact strategies to include significant investments in strengthening the local nonprofit sector, impact investing and an equity focused grantmaking strategy.Over the years Mike has been recognized for his commitment to philanthropy and the community. In 2011 he was named one of the top 30 Civic Leaders under the age of 30 in the nation by the National Conference on Citizenship. In 2017 he was named Young Executive of the Year as part of the MiBiz Best Managed Nonprofit Awards. Finally, he has been recognized as one of the Grand Rapids Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Business Leaders six times and three times has been named one of GRBJ’s top 200 most influential business leaders in WestMichigan.Mike has served on numerous local, state, national and international nonprofit boards including: Association for a More Just Society, Bread for the World, Housing Next, Movement West Michigan, Grand Valley University Foundation and Kids Food Basket.Mike has a degree in Secondary Education from Calvin University and a Masters’ degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University.

In this episode of 'The Difference', Convergent's Jay Werth is joined by Gabe Cooper, Founder and CEO of Virtuous, a Responsive Nonprofit CRM & Marketing Platform. Cooper and Ralser discuss the importance of listening and connecting to your donors, and how fundraising automation technology can give your organization valuable insight.Guest BioGabe Cooper is the Founder and CEO of Virtuous, a Responsive Nonprofit CRM & Marketing Platform helping nonprofits build lasting relationships with their donors. He is also the author of the top-selling books Responsive Fundraising and The Responsive Nonprofit: 8 Key Practices for Scaling Impact. After serving in a leadership role at a large nonprofit, Gabe went on to help build a series of successful software products in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. His team's products have been featured in Wired, USA Today, NY Times, and Apple's WWDC. His drive stems from a passion to create market-defining software and help charities reimagine generosity.

Join Convergent Nonprofit Solutions' Jay Werth and Tom Ralser, as they discuss key takeaways from The Giving Institute's Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy in the latest episode of 'The Difference'. Convergent Nonprofit Solutions offers fundraising services to nonprofits throughout the country that are looking to increase their funding and make a bigger impact. Let our team of expert consultants help your nonprofit today. Contact us to get started!

Larry Raff is President of Copley Raff Inc., a global consultancy to nonprofits in support of fundraising and management, and he's the Principal and creator of Abacus Major Donor Ask Calculator LLC. In his conversation with Convergent Principal Tom Ralser, Raff shares how to leverage objective donor giving, behavioral, and relationship data specific to your organization to determine pledge asks and goals. Raff and Ralser also discuss tried and true strategies and language for making asks and closing more gifts at higher amounts.Guest BioLarry Raff, President of Copley Raff Inc., a global consultancy to nonprofits in support of fundraising and management, has a 40-year career in advancement. He is the Principal and creator of Abacus Major Donor Ask Calculator LLC and is of-counsel to Rising Tide Direct. Since 2011, he has authored the GivingTake blog with an international following. He co-created the Master Gift OfficerTM four-day immersion event and approach to training gift officers.www.donorabacus.com

In this latest episode of "The Difference" podcast, Convergent's General Manager, Brian Abernathy discusses how a new analytical tool developed by Convergent for economic development organizations can help uncover revenue potential and effective fundraising strategies.Convergent Nonprofit Solutions is pleased to announce the new EDO Revenue Benchmarking Analysis. This innovative tool is designed to provide actionable data and recommendations to economic development organizations seeking to understand their community's fundraising potential before they commission a feasibility study or embark on a high-gain, but high-risk capital campaign.

Kate DiLeo is the Founder and CEO of Kate DiLeo Branding and its sister company The Brand Trifecta. She and Tom Ralser, Principal, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, discuss how organizational value propositions help position nonprofit organizations for fundraising campaigns. Kate DiLeo is a dynamic and seasoned speaker whose vibrant personality, robust expertise, and pragmatic approach shine from stage. She brings a fresh lens to the topic of branding by delivering practical yet powerful content that audiences can immediately apply to their personal and organizational brands. Visit her website for more information.

Deb Page, CPT, CPIF, HPLJ, co-founded The Institute for Performance Improvement in 2010 to provide training and certification for performance improvement facilitators. In her conversation with Convergent's Jay Werth, Page discusses best practices for facilitating performance improvement for nonprofit organizations. She shares how performance improvement includes more than traditional organizational development and gives strategic approaches for overcoming communication gaps and challenges.Speaker BioAs a senior executive for a Fortune 20 company, she led human capital management, quality management, and performance improvement. She led the start-up of the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement. Her book The School Improvement Specialist Field Book (2013) was co-authored by Dr. Judith Hale and received ISPI Outstanding Communication Award.  She is a Certified Performance Technologist and earned the Brinkerhoff High Performance Learning Journey global certification in 2018.The Institute for Performance Improvement is a training and performance consulting organization that applies the sciences of human performance improvement and adult learning to develop professionals and support organizations to reach their goals through collaborative performance improvement, innovation, and implementation.

Howard Levy holds a 30-year track record of success in revitalizing organizational brands and creating effective campaigns that improve their visibility, increase engagement, and drive revenue. In this conversation with Convergent Principal Jay Werth, Levy discusses foundational concepts for using neuroscience for marketing and fundraising.  They discuss how understanding behavior economics can impact your nonprofit's fundraising campaigns.

In this episode of The Difference, we're joined by clinical researcher Alyssa Durfey, MPH, MBA, CNP.  She and Jay discuss the concept of limiting beliefs and how they can impact your work in the world of nonprofits. They discuss strategies to overcome limiting beliefs, like taking a personal inventory or creating a better map for your life.

In this episode, Jay discusses artificial intelligence tools with Michelle West,  founder and President of Chamber Speak. Michelle shares her thoughts on how to use AI tools to save time when you’re busy or short on resources. She and Jay discuss ways to prompt AI tools to produce rich, helpful information that saves time in the long run. Using AI in this way can also help chambers segment their audiences, identify their target audience, and tailor their messaging so they reach the right people.

In this episode, Jay engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Mark C. Perna, the founder and CEO of TFS Results. Together, they delve into the intricate relationship between workforce development and generational disparities. Mark, a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between education and employment, shares his insights on the vital role of workforce development in shaping the future. Focusing on Generation Z, hailed as the "benchmark generation," Mark and Jay dissect the unique perspectives and aspirations of this dynamic cohort. From understanding Gen Z's mindset to offering strategies for hiring and retaining talent, their conversation provides actionable insights for parents, educators, and employers. Tune in as Jay Werth and Mark C. Perna explore the transformative impact of understanding generational differences in today's ever-evolving workforce.

Join us for an insightful episode of The Difference, featuring Chuck Sexton, the dynamic CEO of The Next Move Group. In this engaging conversation, Sexton unravels the intricate aspects of successful economic development. Explore the importance of a clear vision, collaboration among stakeholders, strategic planning, and adaptability in the pursuit of economic growth. Gain valuable insights into the significance of resources, investment, and effective marketing strategies. Discover how regions can leverage these key factors, as highlighted by Sexton, to create thriving economies and enhance the overall well-being of their communities. Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of the essential elements that make a difference in economic development!

Join us on The Difference as Debbie Irwin, co-founder of the Manufactory Collective, shares the dynamic evolution of this unique shared space for makers and entrepreneurs. Discover how a strategic shift from seeking funds to exploring creative solutions attracted investors and led to collaborations with JMU for a rapid prototyping center. Learn about the crucial role of John Downey's certificate program in the collective's success and the broader vision of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the Shenandoah Valley through shared workspaces. Tune in for a concise yet insightful discussion on shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the Shenandoah Valley.

Discover the dynamic world of corporate philanthropy on The Difference! Join us as we chat with Matt Nash, Executive Director of Blackbaud Giving Fund. Learn how this 501(c)(3) charity revolutionizes workplace giving through donor-advised funds and diverse charity options. Uncover the crucial link between executive engagement, a company's purpose, and employee participation in social initiatives. Tune in for insights into driving meaningful change through purposeful giving!

In this episode of The Difference, Beth Napleton, a seasoned leadership coach, shares key insights on leading with empathy and achieving success in nonprofit organizations. She identifies challenges in external factors, team dynamics, and personal struggles. Beth emphasizes the use of personality assessments like Myers Briggs and StrengthsFinder for self-awareness and team improvement. From leadership strategies to fundraising tools, she provides practical advice. Drawing from her experiences, Beth stresses the importance of seeking support as a nonprofit leader. Her expertise offers a concise guide for navigating recruitment, retention, board engagement, and fundraising challenges. Tune in for a power-packed conversation on elevating nonprofit leadership and driving impactful change!

In this podcast, Jay Langston, Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, shares his rich background in economic development and discusses the profound changes witnessed over the past four decades, accentuated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jay highlights the growing significance of quality of life in decision-making and explores how the Shenandoah Valley, despite its rural setting, has experienced both economic and population growth. He emphasizes the importance of educating educators about job opportunities and underscores the region's success in talent attraction, challenging stereotypes that young professionals need to migrate to metropolitan areas for career growth. The episode provides a concise yet insightful narrative on the evolving dynamics of economic development and talent acquisition in the Shenandoah Valley, offering a fresh perspective on the region's untapped potential.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Susan Norris, the director of the Pierce County Economic Development Corporation in Nebraska. Susan shares her experience with economic development and rural communities. Susan's insights into how the residents of Pierce County view economic development shed light on the unique perspectives of rural America. She reminds us that it's not all about wealth creation; in rural settings, it encompasses community placemaking, parks, recreation, and fostering social connections. Join us as Susan Norris discusses the true essence of economic development in rural Nebraska, focusing on building not just financial capital, but also social capital within these tight-knit communities. If you're curious about the heart and soul of rural America, this episode is a must-listen.

Discover the art of planned giving fundraising with Tony Martignetti, a 26-year veteran in the field and the driving force behind Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors. Tony shares why planned giving remains remarkably stable and discusses how even small nonprofits can launch successful planned giving. Is planned giving really that complicated? With all these myths floating around, it might seem like a tricky road to navigate. Delve into the podcast to have these myths debunked and complexities unraveled, as Tony clarifies the misconceptions surrounding planned giving. Tune in to gain actionable insights and embark on a transformative journey into the world of planned giving.