Apra

Prospect development tools face continuous evaluation as new technologies emerge. How does your shop balance established resources with emerging options?

Join guest speaker Jennifer Filla on Oct. 22 at noon ET for an interactive partner webinar with Kindsight. Explore the practical applications of aggregated public records versus generative AI through live polls, real-world search scenarios and peer debate.

Elevate your strategy! Portfolio optimization ensures the right relationships receive attention at the right time. Building purpose-driven portfolios empowers prospect development professionals to eliminate noise and advance relationships that drive meaningful mission outcomes.

At Plug In to Portfolio Optimization (Nov. 9 and 10), gain actionable tools to define, evaluate and strengthen portfolios.

Learn More + Register in comments.

What happens when a fundraiser's instinct contradicts a predictive model? CCS Fundraising’s Jessica Roberts, VP of Data Analytics, and Nicholas Huron, Senior Data Scientist, argue that this tension isn’t a problem—it’s where the most valuable insights begin. Learn how treating data as an evolving, living asset helps analytics teams and gift officers bridge the gap between hard numbers and real-world relationship context. Read the full piece at the link in the first comment!

Preparing for Plug In to Optimization? Get ready by downloading the Spring Plug In to Pipelines bundle! Catch up on expert insights on campaign strategy, tech advances, and resource optimization to build a sustainable fundraising framework.

How have high-net-worth (HNW) dynamics shifted across the country, and what does it take to qualify as the top 1% in your state?
Join Windfall CEO and Co-Founder Aurp Banerjee for a live webinar: What Is the Top 1% in Your State? Come Find Out How HNW Has Shifted in 2026. Explore recent data trends impacting high-net-worth individuals and learn actionable strategies to align these insights with your shop’s prospect development goals.

Early engagement makes a huge difference in parent fundraising. Keri Brison explains how Emory University aligned IT, Admissions, and Prospect Research to spot high-capacity families early in the admissions cycle—resulting in a 66% increase in parent gifts. Check out the full breakdown in Connections!

How can strategic prospect research prepare your organization's leadership to navigate key stakeholder interactions and maximize impact at major campaign events?

Swipe through to meet the panel for Preparing Leadership for the Big Event: Prospect Research’s Planning and Partnerships Across Teams on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 1–2 p.m. ET.

In this interactive discussion, panel experts will explore actionable strategies to:
• Build cross-departmental partnerships that align prospect development with leadership priorities
• Equip board members and executives with clear, actionable prospect insights ahead of high-stakes events
• Translate research data into strategic influence to drive your institution’s philanthropic mission forward

Register today to strengthen your shop’s event preparation framework and elevate leadership engagement.

Need a dose of inspiration and connection? Join your fellow Apra Chapter Leaders for our highly anticipated monthly Coffee Chat—a casual, high-value check-in dedicated to you!

Grab your favorite mug and join us for:
• Socializing & Networking: Meet chapter leaders from across the country!
• Topic Discussions: Dive into the most relevant issues facing our chapters today.
• Flexible Fun: Drop in for a quick hello or stay for the entire discussion!

Register in the comments.

Breaking into leadership in prospect development can feel tricky when open positions ask for prior management experience. To see how leaders actually made the jump, Lauren Woodring surveyed 70 current managers across the field. The data shows that while advanced degrees and domain experience help, two-thirds of managers got their start through internal moves—often without even submitting a formal application. Read the full breakdown of how current leaders built their careers in Connections!

How are your team's prospect development strategies adapting to shifting organizational priorities this season? Portfolio optimization offers a clear path to refine prospect discovery, balance gift officer workloads, and align daily relationship management with high-level fundraising goals.
By establishing data-backed methodologies, prospect development professionals can ensure every portfolio is structured for maximum strategic impact. Join peers for Plug In to Portfolio Optimization on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. ET provides an opportunity to explore actionable insights and best practices designed to elevate your shop's mission. Learn more + register in the comments.