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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.