In every community, nonprofits compete within a narrow band of funders. Many struggle to stand out and make their case the most compelling. What difference allows your nonprofit to reach fundraising goals and achieve financial sustainability? In each episode, an expert addresses what makes the difference for major investments, feasibility studies, campaigns, and effective organizations.
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October 19, 202619 min
Mattership: A Different Way to Think about Fundraising
Send us Fan Mail Do your donors believe they matter to your organization? Jay Werth welcomes Bill Crouch, founder and CEO of Bright Dot and author of Mattership: Making Donors Feel They Matter , to explore that question on Convergent’s The Difference . Drawing on four decades in fundraising and his experience as a college president, Bill discusses where transformational giving begins, and how everyday communications shapes a nonprofit's fundraising culture.The conversation also explores emotional intelligence, donor portfolios, and practical ways to put Mattership into action.
October 5, 202631 min
The Cost of the Story: What Fundraisers Get Wrong About Trauma-Informed Storytelling
Send us Fan Mail Every fundraiser knows that stories drive donations. But have you ever stopped to ask what sharing a story actually costs the person who lived it? In this episode of The Difference , host Jay Werth sits down with Maria Bryan—Partnership Marketing Manager at Donorbox and host of the When Bearing Witness podcast—to dive deep into trauma-informed storytelling. They unpack the hidden emotional toll on story owners and development staff, challenge the myth that "ethical storytelling doesn't raise money," and discuss why standard liability releases aren't enough. Plus, Maria shares actionable steps you can implement right away to make your storytelling safer, more dignified, and far more effective.
September 21, 202626 min
Storytelling Considerations for Better Fundraising Results
Send us Fan Mail Is over-polishing your fundraising videos actually hurting your impact? On this episode of The Difference , host Jay Werth talks with documentary filmmaker Peter Murphy Lewis about why hyper-polished content erodes donor trust. They explore how targeting niche audiences drives bigger returns, how to turn routine events into lasting narrative engines, and where to draw the line on beneficiary ethics. |
August 19, 202632 min
Strategic Fundraising Solutions for an Uncertain Economy
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.
July 14, 202626 min
The Difference Between Charity and Trust-Based Philanthropy
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.
July 6, 202624 min
Record Giving. Tougher Fundraising. Here's Why.
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.
May 26, 202619 min
Trust, Transparency, and the $1B Mission
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.
May 11, 202622 min
From Charity to Investment: A Mindset Shift for Philanthropy
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.
April 22, 202625 min
Beyond the Gala
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.
April 6, 202624 min
Fundraising From the Trenches: What Can Go Wrong (and How to Fix It)
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.
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