Advancing Our Church

The back-to-school season was once filled with exciting anticipation as children embarked on a new learning adventure. However, in recent years, schools have become ground zero in an attempt to fundamentally transform America. Traditional academics, like reading, writing, and arithmetic, have been replaced with agenda-driven curricula to reform the values of our youth and less to provide them with the critical building blocks of a liberal education. California-based nonprofit organization Protect Our Kids (POK) is a coalition of parents, community leaders, attorneys, physicians, pastors, and teachers united in the belief that public schools today have co-opted education to advance ideological and political narratives. Join Katie McCarthy, Director of Marketing for Protect Our Kids, as she discusses a new document, "Back to School Questions Every Parent Should Know." Many thanks to our Sponsor: Changing Our World https://youtu.be/LojdtPkmx-Q Recorded: September 2023 Don’t miss ourDon’t miss our sponsor’s podcast: Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you, nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Today, we are joined by Rob Faughnan, CFRE, who will share some of his recent research on parish giving and some strategies to enhance offertory and increase engagement. Rob is a seasoned organizational leader with 20+ years of fundraising and operations management experience in the nonprofit sector. He is recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for managing effective major gifts, annual giving, and direct mail fundraising campaigns. Rob was recently the VP of Philanthropy at CommonSpirit Health Texas Division, where he managed all philanthropic and revenue activities across 16 hospitals and multiple Texas-based sites. He also introduced federal grant strategies generating $2.1 million and supplied major gift assistance, resulting in $2 million in philanthropic revenue. Rob is the former Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Colorado Springs. He is currently a Senior Consultant at the Giving Collaborative and the Principal at the Blue Philanthropy Project. Many thanks to our Sponsor: Changing Our World https://youtu.be/1QaZ4L1l6Nw Recorded September 2023 Don’t miss our sponsor’s podcast: Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you, nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Jim Friend talks with Fr. Joe Laramie, S.J., National Director for the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. Fr. Joe became the national director in 2020. He lives in Milwaukee and travels widely to offer talks and retreats for this ministry. He is also a National Eucharistic Preacher for the Eucharistic Revival. Fr. Joe was ordained in 2011 and he previously taught at all-boys high schools in Kansas City and Colorado and served as a college campus minister in St. Louis. He also served at Mayan villages in Belize. He is featured on the Hallow app, EWTN, Busted Halo, and America magazine. Fr. Joe is the author of two books: "Love Him Ever More: a 9-Day Personal Retreat with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola [Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, 2022] and Abide in the Heart of Christ: a 10-Day Personal Retreat with St Ignatius Loyola, based on the Spiritual Exercises [ 2019]. Many thanks to our Sponsor: Changing Our World https://youtu.be/NC6VgpzCvEo Recorded: July 2023 Don’t miss our sponsor’s podcast: Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you, nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Join Jim Friend and this expert panel for a conversation about giving to Catholic parishes, dioceses, and other organizations. Our panel includes Bevin C. Kennedy, Cabinet Secretary, Development and Communications for the Diocese of Manchester, Joseph M. Gillmer, CFRE® CSPG CAP, Executive Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC and Scott Whitaker, Secretariat Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Austin. The panel discusses giving to their Diocesan Appeals/Catholic entities/Catholic Schools, losing donors, IRA Distributions, Major Gifts, Donor Advised Funds, using Artificial intelligence (AI) in Development, and much more. Many thanks to our Sponsor: Changing Our World Watch the full video presentation of this conversation. https://youtu.be/c5byvEhp9zo Recorded July 2023 Don’t miss our sponsor’s podcast: Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you, nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

On today's show, Brian Crimmins and our host, Jim Friend, discuss the recent Giving USA 2023 report. The two discuss why philanthropy and the number of donors in 2022 is down from the previous year and what can be done about it. Join this discussion for insights on how religious and nonprofit leaders can take action to be successful in fundraising in 2023. Brian and Jim discuss relationship building, some macroeconomic factors, and even how Ai is currently being used in Development Offices. Brian Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer at Changing Our World, Inc. and the Global Managing Partner of ONE HUNDRED. He is a frequent contributor to publications covering the nonprofit sector. Brian has been invited to speak around the world on Catholic Philanthropy, Catholic Education and social impact. Brian is a global leader in social impact. He is a popular public speaker with the world’s foremost speaking agency, the Washington Speakers Bureau. Brian is also the author of The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges. Many thanks to our Sponsor: Changing Our World Watch the full video presentation of this conversation. https://youtu.be/pgzd8M7f3Fg Recorded: July 17, 2023 Don’t miss our sponsor’s podcast: Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you, nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: August 7, 2023 Join us for a discussion about the relationship between Development and Communications. How do we optimize those roles to work in unison toward the goals of your nonprofit organization? Join Jim and Jennifer Melville Trefelner, APR, CPRC, the Director of Communications and Development for the Diocese of Palm Beach. Jennifer has been a guest on Advancing Our Church many times over the years. She brings a unique perspective and tremendous experience to this conversation. Check out Jennifer's full bio here. This conversation was recorded on July 10th, 2023. Many thanks to our Sponsor: Changing Our World Watch the full video presentation of this conversation. https://youtu.be/FFRiOpmNHzo Recorded: July 10, 2023 Don’t miss our sponsor's podcast: Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: May 14, 2023 Today we welcome Katie Boller Gosewisch, the Executive Director of the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, which was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters who were committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors. They’ve created a national network of resources and support made up of 110 congregations of women religious and another 70+ individuals and groups spread throughout the United States. They are also a member of a much larger global network, Talitha Kum, which is an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking. Katie brings over 20 years of experience and great skill to her role, having served as the Executive Director for two Minnesota-based nonprofits: Living at Home Network and WeCab, both of which focused on serving vulnerable populations with important access to resources like transportation, safe and affordable housing, and medical care. I think you’ll find during this conversation that Katie is a committed and vision-driven professional. She holds a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from St. John’s University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and History from St. Mary’s University. During the show, Katie shares about the Bark App, which monitors text messages, YouTube, emails, and 30+ different social networks for potential safety concerns, so busy parents can save time and gain peace of mind. Many thanks to our show’s sponsor, Changing Our World. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/WcGKcz-DOa8 Recorded May 11, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: May 01, 2023 Today we will be talking about Evangelization with our special guest Tom Quinlan. As Catholics, we are called to spread the Good News of the Gospel and share the love of Christ with others. This is what evangelization is all about, and it’s a crucial aspect of our faith. Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of evangelization, calling on all Catholics to be missionary disciples and to go out to the peripheries to share the joy of the Gospel. But what does evangelization mean, and how can we do it effectively in our modern world? In this episode, we’ll explore these questions and more as we discuss the vital role of evangelization in the Catholic Church. In this episode, one resource that Tom discusses is Divine Renovation. Here is a link to their ministry. Tom Quinlan has served in parish, diocesan, and national catechetical leadership roles for nearly 30 years. He has served on Catholic boards: National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, Paulist Evangelization Ministries, and now, Alpha in a Catholic Context. He has spoken in dioceses and conferences throughout the country, including at Franciscan University and the LA Religious Education Congress. Tom is the author of three books, two on the Eucharist and one on catechetical leadership (Excellence in Ministry: Best Practices for Successful Catechetical Leadership). His style strives to bring spirituality, theological reflection, and pastoral application into synergy. He lives in the Des Moines (Iowa) area with his wife and two boys, where he directs the St. Joseph Evangelization Center and serves 24 parishes in the region. Tom welcomes hearing from Church leaders and can be contacted through LinkedIn or via email. This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World A big thank you to Podastery Studies for producing this episode. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/2rihqiKDfBk Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: April 10, 2023 We’re pleased to have Dr. Laura Sicola on the podcast this week because communication is a common thread in the work of Advancing Our Church. Laura talks with us about communicating through storytelling, using common and accessible language with our audiences, and she touches on crisis communications. Laura also speaks about the importance of aligning our verbal messaging with our nonverbal cues, how to motivate and mobilize a board through your meetings (telling the story of the numbers), what vocal fry is, tips on Lectoring, tonality, the importance of using the right microphone and much more. Laura Sicola is a leadership communication and influence expert, speaker, and author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. Laura is the founder of Vocal Impact Productions in Philadelphia, PA, and is known for her coaching and live on-camera training that turns executives into confident, inspiring leaders, whether on stage, on camera or just on the phone in order to get the results they want and make a positive, lasting impact. Check out Laura’s podcast “Speaking to Influence” on iTunes, YouTube or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. Vocal Impact Productions: https://speakingtoinfluence.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola/Twitter: @laurasicola This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/D6f3jwosUjM Recorded: March 20, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: March 26, 2023 We welcome Andy Lesnefsky, the President of Vagabond Missions, a national organization that shares the Gospel with inner-city teens by equipping young adults to serve as Catholic missionaries. Since 2018, Vagabond Missions has quadrupled its footprint by opening missions in 4 new cities. Vagabond has staff serving inner-city teenagers in Pittsburgh, Wichita, Steubenville, Mobile, Oklahoma, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Greenville, NC. This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/YCKIPKAJh6g Recorded March 7, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: March 12, 2023 A partnership between ACS Technologies and Villanova University’s Center for Church Management in the Villanova School of Business examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on church giving. With over 1000 U.S. Catholic parishes participating nationwide, the findings were revealing. Join Jim Friend and ACS Technologies’ Terry Poplava to learn about the far-reaching implications for our Church. For more information, download the full report. This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World Watch the video presentation of this discussion. Follow the link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXcXKJUs3kw Recorded: February 15, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: February 26, 2023 Jim Friend speaks with Dr. Matthew Whelan, the ninth president of Caldwell University and the first male lay president in Caldwell’s history. Prior to joining Caldwell, Dr. Whelan served as Vice President for University Enrollment Strategy and Relationship Development at Stony Brook University, where he held a variety of key leadership roles in undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, registrar, enrollment management, student services, fundraising, facilities and, strategic planning for several campuses. President Whelan has expansive experience leading administrative and faculty teams at Catholic and public higher education institutions, including St. John’s University, Hofstra University, William Paterson University, and Mercyhurst College. Dr. Whelan has held a number of positions on national higher education boards and associations; he has presented nationally and internationally on issues impacting higher education, coached a women’s soccer team to an NCAA Division II Final Four appearance, and taught graduate students in higher education administration. He holds a master’s degree from William Paterson University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Dowling College in Shirley, New York. Today, we’ll talk about his native home of Denville, New Jersey, where he grew up in a family of eight children. Dr. Whelan and his wife, Kathy, have three daughters and a three-year-old border collie named Lucy. This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/RdDMTQERFYc Recorded February 10, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: February 12, 2023 Jim Friend speaks with David Savage, Executive Director of The Papal Foundation, whose mission is to serve the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church through faith, energy, and financial resources. In this role, David leads the organization’s focus on addressing Pope Francis’ priorities to build the Church, educate and prepare leaders, and care for the most vulnerable people, young and old, around the world. Dave brings his business acumen and, most notably, his passion for his Catholic faith to this critical mission. Founded in 1988, the Papal Foundation has awarded more than $190 Million in grants and scholarships to underserved communities and dioceses worldwide. This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/FA8U4h4iFHY Recorded January 31, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: January 29, 2023 An increasingly post-Christian world is forcing parishes to re-envision how they “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). Jim Friend speaks with Susan Windley-Daoust, theologian and director of missionary discipleship for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in southern Minnesota, who provides a roadmap to pastors and parish staff to make sense of it all through her new book, The Four Ways Forward, Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World. The book describes how Pastors and lay leadership must pivot to building up mission-first parishes equipped to proclaim the Gospel to those who have not heard it — all while the numbers of practicing Catholics fall with increasing speed. This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/AUumGn_ejWg Recorded: January 16, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: January 17, 2023 The Saint John Vianney Center (SJVC) brings 76 years of service to Catholic Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women Religious, and Clergy of other Christian denominations worldwide. David Shellenberger, President, and CEO, joins Jim Friend to discuss how SJVC helps to identify and navigate the areas of stress and anxiety, emotional and addiction concerns, spiritual struggles, and health and medical needs of their clients. SJVC has created programs that provide the accompaniment and tools to inspire, heal, renew and restore a person’s physical, behavioral, and spiritual well-being to live a healthy lifestyle and an effective ministry. Jim Friend also explains in this episode that he has joined the team at SJVC as their new Director of Mission Advancement. This episode launches a new year and a new era for our podcast, and we hope you will join us on this journey. On our next show: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with the author, Susan Windley-Daoust This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World About David ShellenbergerDavid Shellenberger, RN, BSN, serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Saint John Vianney Center. In this role, he works to increase awareness of SJVC’s prevention and educational services, as well as its assessment and behavioral health treatment programs. David served as Chief Operating Officer at SJVC since 2014 and has worked at the center since 2008. Previously, he was the Chief Nursing Officer responsible for all clinical practice and medical care performed by the nursing department. Past positions also included Infection Control and Patient Safety Officer and Director of the Complex Extended Stay Program. David helped develop the weight management and wellness program at the Saint John Vianney Center which assists residents with weight loss and healthy living through diet, education, treatment, and emotional and spiritual support. David also provides workshops for SJVC as part of our outreach services. Topics include Stress Management, Health, Wellness and Weight Management. He has over 15 years of administrative experience in various healthcare settings, including Beaumont at Bryn Mawr in Bryn Mawr, PA, and HCR Manor Care in Pottstown, PA. David received his BSN from York College of Pennsylvania and maintains his RN license through the State of Pennsylvania. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/NUtQ6Q1BuX8 Recorded: Friday, January 13, 2023 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARD Don’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: December 20, 2022 On our last episode of 2022, Jim Friend speaks with Richard Lanahan, the Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Metuchen. Rich’s broad experience includes development in Higher Education, Catholic Parishes, schools, and healthcare institutions. In the Diocese of Metuchen, Rich oversees the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and assists parishes with Capital Campaigns, feasibility studies, and increased offertory programs. Rich is also building a planned giving program for the Diocese. Just prior to joining the Diocese of Metuchen, Rich worked for King’s College in Wilkes Barre, PA, as a Major Gifts Officer. Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

December 04, 2022 Today, Jim Friend is joined by John Matthew Knowles, J.D., a business development strategist and advancement executive who serves as Executive Director of the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference, or DFMC, and President of the Catholic Finance Association. In addition to these leadership roles, John serves on boards of directors, task forces, and advisory councils for several national Catholic organizations while also advising several Catholic philanthropists and families confidentially and informally. He is the host of the Faith and Finance Forum podcast/YouTube show, available on all streaming apps and platforms. John holds a B.A. from Western Michigan University, a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, and a Fellowship Certificate in Leadership, also from Michigan State University. John lives in Saucon Valley, Pennsylvania, with Jennifer, his wife of 14 years, daughter Rosemary (aged 4), and Luke Abraham (aged 1). Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/qVuB_etAPkg Recorded November 30, 2022 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: November 14, 2022 Healing and renewing our Church is the goal of the National Eucharistic Congress, headed by the new Executive Director, Tim Glemkowski. The Church has been rocked with scandal, division, disease, and doubt, but now the bishops plan to confront these challenges by reminding everyone that Jesus is present and more powerful than the storm. Join Changing Our World‘s, Jim Friend to learn how we can heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/3m9Ai4fl4c8 Recorded: August 12, 2022 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: November 01, 2022 Join Brian Crimmins, CEO of Changing Our World, and Nathan Chappell, Senior VP of AI at DonorSearch, authors of the new book Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges as they share a startling analysis of the changing nature of generosity in America and why its decline threatens to end the modern non-profit era. The Generosity Crisis demonstrates that if we do not change course, in fewer than 50 years- we could live in a world where inequality has never been as stark or as dangerous. Our relationship with Christ and our good Stewardship is the only antidote to isolation in a fallen world. Join us for a conversation about enabling radical connections with donors that invite them to help us tackle our Church’s most intractable problems. Purchase the new Book: Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges Brian CrimminsBrian is the Chief Executive Officer of Changing Our World, where he is responsible for the overall management, success, and growth of our firm. Brian has personally provided counsel to countless Catholic clients over the past 25 years. Brian oversees all aspects of Changing Our World’s service lines, including Nonprofit Services, Corporate, Research & Analysis, and Communications. Brian has extensive experience designing and building strategic initiatives that enable nonprofits and corporations to achieve their philanthropic goals. He is often called upon to speak at conferences regarding the philanthropic landscape and current trends in philanthropy. Brian has also mentored students from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. He serves on the Board of Chaminade High School and is Vice Chair of the Board of the Institute for Catholic Schools at St. John’s University. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University and an MBA in Marketing Management from St. John’s Tobin School of Business. Nathan ChappellNathan is a thought leader, public speaker, writer, and one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and philanthropy. He is the Senior Vice President of DonorSearch, leading the research and development efforts dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence to help nonprofits harness actionable insights from big data. In 2018, Nathan presented the first TEDx talk on the topic of artificial intelligence and the future of generosity. In 2019 Nathan was listed as one of the Top 100 Influencers in Philanthropy. In 2021, he founded Fundraising.Ai as a member-centric collaboration with a focus on data ethics, data equality, privacy and security, and sustainability. Nathan holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of Redlands, a certificate in International Economics from the University of Cambridge, and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT. Watch the video presentation of this discussion https://youtu.be/de9Dnn5jx1A Recorded: October 19, 2022 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

October 17, 2022 Today we are talking about #cryptocurrency, an evolving topic that is more and more relevant to our world and our Church. Join Changing Our World’s Jim Friend and his guest, Matthew Pinto, the host and founder of the Catholic Crypto Conference. Matt is conducting the conference on November 17/18 at the Valley Forge Sheraton in PA. Matt discusses how businesses use crypto, Web3, and Blockchain technology and what relevance this has for our Church. This podcast is the perfect discussion for those who are new to crypto. About the Conference The Catholic/Crypto Conference 2022 will be held on November 17/18 at the Valley Forge Sheraton in Pennsylvania. The conference will bring together Catholic thought leaders, technologists, crypto enthusiasts, and evangelists-at-heart for two full days of seminars, Meet-ups, strategy sessions, networking, and fun. The goal is to help individual Catholics and Church leaders understand the future…today. The conference is for those both new to crypto and those who are fully immersed in it. Addressing topics such as blockchain, Bitcoin, Web 3.0, NFTs, and the metaverse, conference speakers will educate on technological developments that will affect Catholics and all of humanity—and then will focus on how they can ultimately serve the Church and the Common Good. Matthew Pinto Matthew Pinto is the Founder and leader of this new conference. He has been at the forefront of multiple Catholic initiatives since the early 1990s. In 1998 he founded Ascension Press (Ascension), leading the Catholic publisher and media outlet to global prominence until 2021. Pinto is the founder of The Genesis Group, the creator of the Catholic Crypto Conference, and a co-founder of the Theology of the Body Institute, Envoy Magazine, The Maximus Group, and CatholicExchange.com. Matt has also authored or co-authored more than a dozen Catholic books and educational resources. Matt is a founding member of the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), a recipient of the Outstanding Catholic Leadership Award from the Catholic Leadership Institute, and has served on multiple boards. He and his wife, Maryanne reside with their children in suburban Philadelphia. Watch the video presentation of this discussion https://youtu.be/ZntQff1fIUg Recorded October 12, 2022 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.