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Sursum Scribe September 2024

Happy September friends!

We’ve all been there when it comes to year-end planning: I’ve got time. It’s only September. I’ll start thinking about year-end once I get through the Fall.

All of a sudden, it’s mid-November. The upcoming weeks are packed with activity and things feel rushed: We haven’t finished our year-end appeal. What did we decide about Christmas cards? Are we doing anything for Giving Tuesday?

A simple planning process now will pay enormous dividends for your peace of mind and for your fundraising results come December 31st. Did you know that 31% of all annual charitable giving in the U.S. takes place in the month of December? The right combination of awareness, acknowledgment and appeal will maximize generosity to your mission during this “season of giving”.

Here are three simple questions to add to your next team meeting agenda and jump start your year-end planning now:

What did we do last year? Describing what was done last year will lead to an impromptu “SWOT” analysis and give you a baseline for determining what is doable this year. How did we create awareness to reach new donors? How did we thank our donors? How did we directly appeal to donors to make a year-end gift? Which leads to the second question…

What does 10% better look like? Everyone wants a robust and comprehensive year-end strategy, but focusing on what “just a little bit better” looks like from what was previously done, forces your hand into deciding what is most important given limited time and resources.

Who is responsible for next steps? Don’t let this important initial discussion be tabled for weeks without action. Who is taking final ownership of next steps? Specify tasks and deadlines before concluding your conversation.

As I said, these questions are simply to get you started. A more detailed planning process will have you specifying goals around awareness, acknowledgment and appeal; identifying the outreach channels available to your organization to attain those goals; and setting parameters around budgets, calendars and persons responsible for execution.

If you take these small steps this Fall, come the holidays, it will take far less energy to execute on what was previously planned than to “figure things out” on the fly. Donors already want to be generous at year-end. Have them be (re)inspired by your mission with proper planning now!

Reach out to learn more! EMAIL BUTTON (link to [email protected])

God bless, Sharon

What I Am Reading

In a remarkable achievement, Catholic media company Ascension has made history as the first Catholic organization to be named to the prestigious Fortune Best Small Workplaces List for Of note is an exceptional work environment, as evidenced by an impressive 99% of employees reporting it as a "great place to work." Ascension is setting a new standard for Catholic organizations and small businesses alike!

In a remarkable achievement, Catholic media company Ascension has made history as the first Catholic organization to be named to the prestigious Fortune Best Small Workplaces List for Of note is an exceptional work environment, as evidenced by an impressive 99% of employees reporting it as a “great place to work.” Ascension is setting a new standard for Catholic organizations and small businesses alike!

Skilling Up

I agree with my friend and colleague Maddie Nance at www.kindwordreview.com who argues that AI cannot replace the authenticity and nuance that a human writer brings. She identifies the telltale signs of AI-generated content and demonstrates how AI can be a useful tool for tasks like brainstorming. As always, great advice for all non profits to prioritize quality over cost, as the genuine connection provided by human writers is crucial for relationship building.

What We’re Reading This Month

Interesting report, released by GivingTuesday’s Generosity A.I. Working Group, that paints a nuanced picture of a sector grappling with A.I. adoption. The study surveyed 930 nonprofits in the hashtag-driven movement’s network across the globe, but primarily in North America and Asia, from March to July 2024. Identifies key barriers to adoption, particularly for smaller nonprofits, and reveals significant gaps in policies and collaborative data agreements.

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About PATRICK

Patrick Diener is a dynamic leader with a diverse background in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Patrick has successfully driven growth for organizations ranging from international NGOs to small Catholic parishes, delivering strategic solutions that align with mission, values, and long-term sustainability. Recognized for his innovative approach to fundraising and business development—rooted in both theology and psychology—Patrick brings a deep understanding of how faith and philanthropy intersect, ensuring that all initiatives are mission-driven and spiritually grounded.

Patrick has held several executive leadership roles, both in consulting and leading fundraising operations for a variety of successful nonprofits. From spearheading large diocesan and university capital campaigns to managing the fundraising at multiple nonprofit organizations, Patrick has consistently delivered strong outcomes. His expertise in building and training high-performing teams has enabled organizations to surpass fundraising goals, secure major gifts, and strengthen long-term donor relationships. Patrick’s hands-on leadership style and strategic vision have empowered nonprofits to grow in scale, mission impact, and financial sustainability.

Additionally, Patrick founded the Institute for Catholic Philanthropy at the University of Mary, a pioneering certificate and MBA program that equips Catholic fundraising professionals with the tools they need for success, rooting best practices in philanthropy within the Catholic faith. This program is recognized for providing fundraisers with a deep, faith-based approach while delivering practical skills that align with the unique needs of Catholic organizations.

Patrick resides in Cheshire, CT with his wife Kathryn and their six children.  They are active parishioners at Blessed Michael McGivney Parish in New Haven. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys skiing, photography, and running an amateur sugaring operation on his historic micro-farm.

Education

  • UNC Charlotte, B.A., Anthropology
  • Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies at the Catholic University of America, M.T.S., Sacred Theology
  • University of Southern Mississippi, Post Grad Studies, Systems Theory
    Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
  • Master Trainer
    Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)

Community Involvement

  • Legatus Member, Fairfield CT Chapter

  • Member, Council 1, Knights of Columbus  

     

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About Dave

Dave Cook is an entrepreneurial non-profit leader devoted to helping missions reach their full potential. He has served in myriad executive and development roles over a 20-year career. He is animated by his faith and enjoys exploring new and creative ways to promote human flourishing.

Dave is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a bachelors in mathematics and philosophy. He later attained an MBA at George Mason University. Throughout his career, he has applied best practices in entrepreneurship and business to the non-profit world. As Director of Programs at the Youth Leadership Foundation, he more than doubled program capacity and helped YLF be recognized as one of the “Best Non-Profits in the Greater Washington Area” by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. He went on to serve as Executive Director for YLF, establishing the organization’s first annual giving program and securing coverage for YLF’s programs on national television.

Dave’s first foray into the diocesan world was as Director of Operations and Stewardship for a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Overseeing all the temporal activities of the church and school, Dave expanded ministry volunteerism, improved school enrollment and initiated multiple capital improvement projects, among other managerial duties. Eventually, Dave moved across the Potomac River to become Director of the Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of Washington, where he navigated the covid-19 pandemic through novel digital and integrated marketing forms of donor outreach, inspiring nearly 30,000 gifts and $11 million in donations per year from the local faithful to support archdiocesan ministries. He then expanded his horizons internationally, serving as Executive Director for World Villages for Children, the North American development arm of the Sisters of Mary of Banneux, a religious order committed to lifting children out of poverty.

Dave’s past volunteer service includes membership on the Diocese of Arlington Pastoral Council, the Board of Directors for the International Catholic Stewardship Council and the Board of Directors for the Youth Leadership Foundation. He currently serves as Finance Council Chair for Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He is also a Knight of Columbus, Eucharistic adorer, lector, basketball coach and men’s group leader at his parish. Dave is a devoted husband and father of six children. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing basketball and golf, and watching his beloved Fighting Irish on TV on Fall Saturdays.

 

Education

  • Notre Dame, M.S., Mathematics & Philosophy
  • George Mason University, MBA

Community Involvement

  • Youth Leadership Foundation – Director of Programs
  • World Villages for Children, Executive Director