Send us a text In this episode, Convergent's Funding Strategist, Katie Davenport, shares her inspiring journey from middle school science teacher to Executive Director of the Greenwood Promise. She discusses how the program provides tuition-free education to students in Greenwood County, building a skilled workforce and strengthening the local economy. Katie opens up about overcoming fundraising challenges, the growing impact of promise programs nationwide, and the vital role of early and contin...
Jun 23, 2025•21 min
Send us a text Convergent's Jay Werth and Pam Reid discuss the importance of conducting a feasibility study before launching a capital or comprehensive campaign. Pam emphasizes that feasibility studies provide crucial intelligence for a case for investment development and informed decision-making. She also introduces the IMPACT acronym for case content: Introduction, Mission, Problem, Actual Impact, Call to Action, and Transparency. Pam advises that draft cases should be concise, visually appeal...
Jun 05, 2025•18 min
Send us a text Convergent Nonprofit Solutions' Tom Ralser explains why Asking Rights™ raises the sights for your organization's donors. Join Tom and The Difference Host Jay Werth as they discuss how nonprofit leaders and organizations can move the funding process from a charity mindset to one of investment. You don't want to miss it!
May 20, 2025•20 min
Send us a text Convergent Senior Funding Strategist, Pam Reid, and Host Jay Werth, discuss Pam's transition from her for-profit corporate role to nonprofit fundraising. She emphasizes the importance of transparency in board member expectations, including giving, fundraising, and attendance. Pam also highlights the need for 100% board participation in campaigns and strategies to foster a productive board fundraising culture. Learn why Comprehensive Campaigns are a game-changer for nonprofit fundr...
Apr 28, 2025•18 min
Send us a text In this episode, 'The Difference' Host Jay Werth, sits down with Nat Auten, President & CEO of the YMCA of Catawba Valley in Western North Carolina, to explore what it takes to plan and execute a successful comprehensive fundraising campaign. From capital improvements to endowments and annual funds, Nat shares how his donor-centric approach, focus on legacy giving, and deep YMCA roots have shaped a strategy that resonates with supporters across the board. Whether you're a seas...
Apr 14, 2025•12 min
Send us a text Convergent's Capital Campaign series features Daniel Hall, Director of Managed Service for Harness Giving, and host Jay Werth, discussing how nonprofit leaders can best communicate a strategic plan that is actionable, transparent, and compelling to internal stakeholders and potential donors. Learn why Comprehensive Campaigns are a game-changer for nonprofit fundraising. Sign up for updates ....
Mar 31, 2025•20 min
Send us a text Join Sarah Sprinkle, CEO and Founder of Sarah Sprinkle Philanthropy, and The Difference podcast host, Jay Werth, as they discuss the importance of a comprehensive strategic plan before launching a fundraising campaign. Sprinkle emphasizes aligning the mission with the organization's impact, creating time-sensitive goals, and involving stakeholders. Sprinkle also shared her approach to strategic planning, using spreadsheets to outline goals and strategies, and the importance of ada...
Mar 18, 2025•17 min
Send us a text In the latest episode of Convergent's The Difference podcast, Host Jay Werth discusses comprehensive fundraising campaigns with Li Li from Foursquare Research, Inc. Li Li explains the importance of market analysis as a tool for nonprofits, likening it to a GPS for efficient planning. She emphasizes the need for unbiased research to avoid confirmation bias and highlights the significance of involving stakeholders. We invite you to continue tuning in to learn why Comprehensive Campa...
Mar 10, 2025•22 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Difference , Convergent's Rex Otey and Jay Werth discuss the importance of development audits for nonprofit organizations, emphasizing their role in evaluating fundraising effectiveness and readiness for comprehensive campaigns. Otey highlights that audits are not punitive but aim to improve fundraising efficiency. He shares an example of a higher education client that followed audit recommendations to enhance staffing and fundraising. Tune in to learn why C...
Feb 27, 2025•12 min
Send us a text In an era of economic shifts and political uncertainty, how can nonprofits secure sustainable funding and continue their vital work? In this episode of The Difference , host Jay Werth speaks with Amber Wynn, philanthrepreneur, about the impact of today’s political climate on fundraising. They explore key strategies for financial stability, compliance, and effective communication, that help nonprofits weather uncertainty while maximizing impact. Tune in to discover actionable insig...
Feb 20, 2025•17 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Difference , host Jay Werth sits down with Brian Abernathy, General Manager of Convergent Nonprofit Solutions. Brian oversees Convergent’s strategic direction, daily operations, and project success, ensuring clients achieve their fundraising goals. Kicking off a new series on Comprehensive Campaigns, Jay and Brian explore the benefits of this multi-year fundraising approach—how it fosters cohesive messaging, strengthens donor engagement, and drives long-term...
Feb 10, 2025•20 min
Send us a text In this episode of 'The Difference', join host Jay Werth, and guest, Doug Croft, Senior Project Manager with Convergent Nonprofit Solutions. Croft has 30 years of nonprofit management experience, starting early in his career with the Boy Scouts of America, and eventually leading three chambers of commerce in North Carolina and Texas. In this episode, Croft discusses his all-time favorite volunteer role as Volunteer Coordinator and Mentor for the national All-America City Awards pr...
Jan 14, 2025•17 min
Send us a text 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 organi...
Nov 11, 2024•19 min
Send us a text 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....
Oct 31, 2024•18 min
Send us a text Mike Goorhouse, Founder of Inspiring Impact, explains how planned giving can be transformational for nonprofits. Speaker Bio Mike 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 Foun...
Oct 21, 2024•16 min
Send us a text 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 Werth discuss the importance of listening and connecting to your donors, and how fundraising automation technology can give your organization valuable insight. Guest Bio Gabe Cooper is the Founder and CEO of Virtuous , a Responsive Nonprofit CRM & Marketing Platform helping nonprofits build lasting re...
Oct 08, 2024•18 min
Send us a text 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!...
Sep 05, 2024•9 min
Send us a text 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 maki...
Aug 05, 2024•20 min
Send us a text 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 ...
Jul 22, 2024•20 min
Send us a text 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 pow...
Jul 15, 2024•24 min
