The Difference: Nonprofit Fundraising in a For-Profit World

Send us Fan Mail How can your organization secure critical funding during an uncertain economy? Host Jay Werth breaks down practical fundraising strategies with experts Clint Neesmith and Erin Sammis. Discover how to leverage available resources and maximize opportunities across every nonprofit sector.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference , Jay Werth sits down with Carmen James Randolph, Founding President and CEO of the Women's Foundation of the South, to discuss why traditional philanthropy often falls short for women and girls of color—and what it takes to build a different model. Carmen shares the story behind the launch of the Women's Foundation of the South. After more than two decades in philanthropy, she explains why trust-based grantmaking matters, and discusses how investing in healing, leadership, and long-term endowments can create lasting change. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, funder, or donor, this conversation offers practical insights into building stronger communities by changing how we think about giving.

Send us Fan Mail Giving reached a record $617 billion in 2025. So why does fundraising feel harder than ever? In this episode of The Difference , Jay Werth is joined by Convergent's Brian Abernathy and Tom Ralser to unpack the story behind the headline. Together, they explore the shrinking donor base, growing competition for funding, and why today's funders increasingly think like investors. Listen now to discover why the future of fundraising may be less about asking and more about proving impact.

Send us Fan Mail What do donors expect from nonprofits in 2026? According to Catherine LaCour, it’s simple: transparency, speed, and accountability. On this episode of The Difference , Jay Werth welcomes the new leader of The Blackbaud Giving Fund for a conversation about the evolution of workplace giving and philanthropy's future. They unpack: Why corporate giving has moved into the C-suite spotlight How technology is accelerating charitable impact The growing importance of trust in donor behavior What nonprofits must do to build long-term corporate partnerships This episode is a masterclass in a modern fundraising strategy.

Send us Fan Mail Major donor fundraising is changing, and fast. In this episode, Convergent's Tom Ralser joins Jay Werth to unpack the rise of “impact giving.” Drawing from new 2026 research from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Giving USA, we explore why donors are increasingly focused on measurable outcomes, strategic engagement, and ROI-style philanthropy. Tom shares practical insights on donor communication, restricted gifts, impact reporting, and how nonprofits of every size can adapt to the more investor-minded generation of philanthropists. We also discuss the risks for a sector increasingly dependent on fewer, wealthier donors, and what fundraisers can do now to prepare for the years ahead.

Send us Fan Mail Are fundraising galas truly worth the investment, or are they being misunderstood? In this episode of The Difference, a podcast from Convergent , Host Jay Werth sits down with Justin Goodhew, CEO and Co-founder of Trellis , to unpack how nonprofits can rethink events as more than one-night fundraisers. With experience helping over 500 organizations raise more than $100 million, Justin brings a data-driven perspective to one of the sector’s most debated strategies. The conversation challenges a common assumption: that events should be judged by immediate net profit. Instead, Justin reframes them as “moments of belonging”, powerful opportunities to build long-term donor relationships and unlock future revenue. Together, they explore: Why traditional ROI metrics fail to capture the full value of events Where “hidden revenue” lives beyond the night of the gala How events create uniquely human connections in an increasingly algorithm-driven world The most overlooked data points nonprofits should be tracking and how to capture them without sophisticated tools Practical tactics like “Donate Your Bid” and multiple giving drivers to increase engagement without creating donor fatigue How to reduce friction in the giving experience and avoid leaving money on the table The episode also dives into post-event strategy, including the critical follow-up window and how to turn one-time attendees into lifelong advocates. Plus, a rapid-fire lightning round covering: Galas vs. golf tournaments for long-term ROI The biggest “revenue leak” at nonprofit events The one data point every fundraiser should sync to their CRM And what the future of fundraising really looks like Justin makes a compelling case that the organizations best positioned for long-term resilience are those that create meaningful opportunities for people to gather, connect, and belong. To learn more and access additional resources, visit convergentnonprofit.com . Thanks for listening to The Difference... and for making a difference in your corner of the world.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference , Host Jay Werth sits down with his Convergent colleagues Erin Bemis, Greta von Unruh, and Andy Brubaker to unpack what really happens with fundraising ... the wins, the missteps, and the lessons learned along the way. Drawing from years of experience, the team shares candid stories from the field, highlighting common pitfalls like not following a strategic plan and chasing short-term dollars instead of building long-term relationships. At the heart of every success, and every failure, is one critical factor: relational equity.

Send us Fan Mail Tom Ulbrich, Chief Energy Officer at Goodwill of Western New York, joins Host Jay Werth to discuss how nonprofit organizations can adopt entrepreneurial strategies without losing sight of their mission. From developing talent and investing in people to creating innovative revenue streams, Tom explains how Goodwill of Western New York blends business discipline with social impact to create lasting change in the communities it serves.

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of The Difference , Host Jay Werth speaks with Brian Abernathy, General Manager, Convergent, and Clint Nessmith, CEO of Resource Development Group, to discuss the merger uniting the two respected fundraising firms. The partnership expands national capacity, strengthens board-led capital campaign execution, and brings together the largest dataset in economic development fundraising. Brian and Clint share the strategic vision behind the merger, what it means for current clients, and how the integrated team will support economic development, chambers, and philanthropic organizations moving forward. Tune in for a concise look at what this next chapter means for fundraising nationwide.

Send us Fan Mail Fundraising can often feel like chaos, spreadsheets, shifting metrics, donor churn, and constant pressure to hit the next goal. But what if the real breakthrough isn’t in more tactics… but in a fundamental mindset shift? In this episode, I sit down with Erik Tomalis, Chief Revenue Officer at Avid and a fundraising leader with more than 20 years of experience and 4,000+ face-to-face donor solicitations. Erik has helped raise millions for healthcare, education, human services, and youth-focused nonprofits and now he’s helping organizations simplify and scale their efforts through the first AI-powered Fundraising Operating System built specifically for nonprofits. We explore: What “chaos” really looks like inside fundraising teams—and why it’s so hard to cut through The hidden costs of transactional donor relationships How to shift from spreadsheets to community The 1–2 data questions that actually matter Why retention breaks down and how to fix it in the first 90 days How to empower fundraisers to act with clarity and confidence If you want to stop chasing numbers and start building lasting donor relationships, this episode is for you.

Send us Fan Mail In this panel discussion of The Difference led by Convergent's Andy Brubaker and Pam Reid, the two are joined by Jeff Baldwin, CEO (Ret) of the Bloomington Boys & Girls Club, along with Melanie Conner of Rainbow Village, to unpack what effective board engagement really looks like in practice. The conversation begins by setting the stage, examining why ongoing engagement matters and the most common challenges organizations face in keeping board members meaningfully involved. The panel then explores proven strategies that foster participation, strengthen relationships, and motivate board members through clarity, recognition, and purpose. Drawing from firsthand experience, the panelists share real-world case studies, quick wins, and long-term approaches that help boards move from passive oversight to active leadership, offering practical takeaways nonprofit leaders can apply immediately.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference , host Jay Werth sits down with members of Convergent’s Philanthropic Services team for a forward-looking discussion on trends from across their 2025 client work and what it means for fundraising in 2026. The conversation explores major forces shaping the sector, including the Great Wealth Transfer, shifting major-gifts strategies driven by generational decision-making, anticipated changes in federal grant funding, and the growing role of AI in fundraising. Together, these insights offer practical guidance for nonprofit leaders preparing for a rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference podcast, Host Jay Werth is joined by Convergent's Pam Reid and Andy Brubaker for a candid conversation about the critical role board members play in effective fundraising. Together, they explore why board engagement is essential to organizational sustainability, how to overcome common hesitation and fear around fundraising, and how fundraising serves as a natural extension of mission and stewardship. The discussion also highlights the practical roles board members can take on, as ambassadors, advocates, and askers, and the importance of clear expectations, training, and accountability to set boards up for success.

Send us Fan Mail In this special year-end edition of The Difference , host Jay Werth takes listeners on a curated journey through the most impactful conversations of 2025. This 25-minute highlight reel revisits the standout insights shared by leading voices in philanthropy, social impact, and fundraising strategy. Join us as we celebrate a year of learning, growth, and meaningful conversation on The Difference: Nonprofit Fundraising in a For-Profit World .

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference , Jay Werth welcomes David Wachs, the creator of Handwrytten, a groundbreaking platform that helps nonprofits deepen donor relationships through handwritten communication, produced by remarkably life-like writing robots. David explains how handwritten notes enhance donor stewardship, boost retention, and help organizations stand out in a world overwhelmed by digital noise. Plus, he shares real examples of nonprofits using Handwrytten to build trust and connection at scale.

Send us Fan Mail Mission-focused leaders often prioritize compassion and team harmony—but sometimes at the expense of accountability. In this podcast, host Jay Werth and guest Chris Wong, who advises both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, discuss how leaders can hold people to standards without abandoning empathy, and how this balance improves culture, performance, and impact.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference podcast, Host Jay Werth is joined by Convergent's Pam Reid and Andy Brubaker to discuss Effective Board Management. Topics discussed include: Governance vs. management (setting boundaries) Clarifying roles and responsibilities Effective use of committees and task forces Assessing performance & handling underperformance Keeping members engaged and developing their leadership If you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to join us for our upcoming webinar " Board Members' Role in Fundraising " on November 13 at 1:30 PM ET. Register Now !

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'The Difference', we explore how great communities don’t just attract businesses, they inspire people to put down roots. Join Brian Abernathy, General Manager at Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, and Jerald Mitchell, President & CEO of Beaten Path LLC, as they dive into the power of placemaking as a catalyst for economic growth. Discover how shaping community identity, investing in public spaces, and building with intention can transform a region’s trajectory, fueling investment, attracting top talent, and sparking long-term prosperity. If you’re passionate about creating communities where people and businesses thrive, this conversation is a must-listen.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Difference podcast, Host Jay Werth is joined by Convergent's Pam Reid and Andy Brubaker to discuss Recruiting the Right Board Members. Topics discussed include: Why thoughtful board recruitment matters Common mistakes in recruitment Identifying strong candidates beyond your circle Evaluating fit (skills, mission-alignment, diversity, and affiliations) Aligning and cultivating Interest and making the ask effectively Clarifying expectations and securing commitment If you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to join us for our upcoming webinar "Effective Board Management" on October 16 at 1:30 PM ET. Register Now !

Send us Fan Mail Joe April, Convergent Senior Partner, and Dr. John Rainone, President of Virginia’s Mountain Gateway Community College, and a Convergent Senior Counsel join the host of the Develop This! podcast, Dennis Fraise, in this special episode, to discuss leveraging community colleges to address workforce needs. Joe shares his transformation, which was made possible through community college support, and John highlights the importance of entrepreneurial approaches, citing his college's $7.3 million renovation, which was funded by public-private partnerships. Both emphasize the need for flexible, short-term training programs to meet industry demands—both note trends like apprenticeships and regional collaborations.