Send us a text 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 a text 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 tr...

Send us a text 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 a text 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 responsibilitiesEffective use of committees and task forcesAssessing performance & handling underperformanceKeeping members engaged and developing their leadershipIf you enjoyed this episode, we invite you to join us for our upco...

Send us a text 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 tr...

Send us a text 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 mattersCommon mistakes in recruitmentIdentifying strong candidates beyond your circleEvaluating fit (skills, mission-alignment, diversity, and affiliations)Aligning and cultivating Interest and making the ask effectivelyClarifying expectations and securi...

Send us a text 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 coll...

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, Host Jay Werth sits down with Greg Warner, CEO and founder of MarketSmart, to explore the paradigm shift reshaping nonprofit fundraising. With nearly two decades of experience in philanthropy and tech innovation, Warner critiques outdated, organization-centric models and champions a more human-centered, donor-driven approach rooted in empathy, data, and value exchange. Together, they unpack why traditional fundraising methods are falling short...

Send us a text After three years of declining donations, 2024 delivered a reversal that has nonprofit leaders everywhere asking: "Is this rebound for real?" In this insightful analysis linked to the 2025 Giving USA Report, Convergent Principal Tom Ralser and General Manager, Brian Abernathy, join Jay Werth to reveal the drivers behind donor behavior, not just economic indicators. This is a strategic deep-dive connecting the dots between market psychology, donor motivation, and practical...

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 con...

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 appealing, a...

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! Support the show

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...

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 seasoned f...

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. Support the show

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 adaptabil...

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 Campaigns a...

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 Co...

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 insights on ...

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 success. Tun...