Apra is home to 28 Chapters across the United States, Canada and Australia. These chapters offer tremendous value to prospect development professionals by providing opportunities to learn, to mentor to those new to the field, or the chance to be mentored by seasoned PD professionals, while enjoying a sense of camaraderie among peers.
There is something for everyone in a local Apra chapter as offerings take place virtually and in-person on a variety of topics geared toward different experience levels – both in structured and more casual settings. This week, Connections is proud to feature some of the chapter events that are happening soon, as well as a few that recently took place. The local impact these chapters have on PD professionals cannot be ignored, and we are grateful for the work our local chapter leaders pour into their Apra community.
If you are still unsure of whether exploring an Apra chapter is for you, read what Tracey Harwell Robertson, longtime Apra Georgia member, has to say about her experience:
“When I first started my career in prospect research and development, the very first professional event I attended was the Apra PD Conference. I learned a lot, but I only knew two people there, and it felt a little overwhelming. I left with good notes—but few new connections.
A few months later, I attended my first local chapter event with several colleagues from my team, and it completely changed how I viewed professional associations. I met people across our state who were doing the same work I was doing and navigating the same challenges. The conversations were easy, the connections felt genuine, and it finally felt like a community.
Over time, I’ve seen local Apra chapters grow into powerful hubs for professional development. Many now host webinars and one-day conferences featuring speakers you’d also see at the international level—offering the same quality content at a fraction of the cost. For many of us, especially those in small shops or budget-conscious organizations, accessibility matters. It also makes it much easier to get leadership support when you can point to strong programming and real value.
What I appreciate most is that local chapters remove barriers. Together, affordable programming, meaningful connections, and scholarship opportunities make learning and growth more achievable. I often turn to the same mentors I met at that first local event when I have questions and need help. Their mentorship and friendship have benefited me in my professional development.
For me, that’s why local chapters aren’t just an add-on to Apra — they’re essential.”
Keep reading to see if one of these events might benefit you:
Apra Pennsylvania, DC-MD, Virginia and the Carolinas
The Apra chapters for Pennsylvania, DC-MD, Virginia, and the Carolinas are coming together April 16th and 17th for the first in-person Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapters conference (MARC) in more than a decade. The chapters have been collaborating on a virtual conference for the past several years, and we're very proud to bring back the in-person gathering. The conference is being held in Richmond, VA on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The planning committee is chaired by Lindsay Rogillio and Carrie Naumann, who can't be recognized enough for their hard work!
We are proud to welcome keynote speaker Jim Langley of Langley Innovations, speaking on adapting to profound disruptions. The speaker roster features prospect development luminaries, including Apra International board members past and present, Apra chapter board members, and leaders from across all sectors of the industry. Volunteer mentors will also hold 30-minute "office hour" sessions for 1:1 time, sharing their knowledge and expertise with mentees. Approximately 80 attendees are expected!
We hope to provide this regional conference as a lower-cost professional development option every other year and to continue the virtual conference on the alternate years.
Apra Georgia
Apra Georgia Spring Webinar Series
April 16 - May 14
Apra Georgia has an exciting lineup of speakers for our Spring Webinar Series, kicking off April 16 and running every Thursday at noon ET. We’re bringing together an incredible mix of talent from across the field—covering everything from AI and data management to career stories from some of the best of us.
Designed with accessibility in mind, the series is fully virtual - making it easy to join from anywhere. If you’re looking for high-quality, affordable professional development with takeaways you can put into practice right away, we hope you’ll join us.
Learn more here.
Apra Georgia Annual Conference
May 29, 2026
Shepherd Center – Atlanta
Apra Georgia’s annual in-person conference returns on May 29, 2026! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details, speakers and registration information. We look forward to gathering with prospect development professionals from across the state for a day of learning, connection and community.
Apra NEDRA
The 2026 NEDRA Conference will take place April 30–May 1, 2026, in Providence, RI, bringing together prospect development professionals for two days of learning, networking and collaboration.
First held in 1988, NEDRAcon has grown into a well-established annual gathering that now attracts approximately 250 attendees. With New England’s vibrant mix of educational, healthcare, cultural and other nonprofit institutions, the conference is a chance to connect with peers and learn from the many outstanding organizations represented in the NEDRA community. For returning attendees, it’s also a welcome reunion, full of the warm, generous collaboration that makes NEDRA’s “special sauce” so distinctive.
This year’s event begins with a full-day Research Basics Bootcamp on Wednesday, April 29th, for those new to the field, followed by the main conference, which kicks off with a keynote by productivity coach Dr. Kate Henry and includes 24 breakout sessions led by speakers from across New England and beyond on topics such as AI, prospect identification, prospect research, portfolio management and due diligence.
For more information or to register, please click here.
Apra Rocky Mountains
Join Apra-RM for a Spring Happy Hour!
When: Friday, May 1, 2026, 5:30 p,m. MDT
Where: Stanely Beer Hall: 2501 Dallas St #100, Aurora, CO 80010
Are you looking for a fun networking opportunity and a chance to enjoy springtime in Colorado? Join other Apra-RM members for an after-work time round of drinks and conversation at the Stanley Beer Hall.
Questions? Please reach out to aprarockymountains@gmail.com
Apra Michigan
Apra Michigan is hosting an in-person session on Wednesday, May 6, at the Michigan League in Ann Arbor. Our featured speaker, Catherine Flaatten, will speak on Modernizing Prospect Development: Evolving Your Program to Meet the Current Moment and Prepare for the Future.
The world of philanthropy is changing quickly, and prospect development is evolving right alongside it. Fluctuating economic conditions, shifting donor behaviors, emerging technologies and changing workplace dynamics are all affecting our industry. Preparing for the future requires more than just new tools; it requires new ways of thinking about our work and how we get it done. The session will combine presentation, facilitated discussion and peer exchange. Participants will leave with practical ideas for adapting their prospect development work for the modern environment, from leveraging new techniques and technologies to sustaining change over the long term. Click here for more info.
Apra Indiana
APRA Indiana Spring Conference 2026
May 7, 2026 - Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis
Join colleagues from across the state on May 7 for the Apra Indiana Spring Conference, Shift Happens: Leveraging Your Team’s Unique Strengths to Make Organizational and Industry Shifts Work to Your Advantage.
This one-day event will explore how prospect development professionals can adapt to shifting priorities, new tools, and evolving expectations while continuing to deliver the insight fundraising programs depend on. Sessions will focus on communicating the value of prospect development, strengthening partnerships with fundraisers and showcasing work uniquely suited to our teams.
The program will also include interactive discussions on wealth ratings, identifying and communicating strong leads, and using AI to support — not replace — prospect development work. Attendees will leave with practical ideas and actionable strategies to navigate change with confidence.
Apra DC-MD
On March 17, Apra DC-MD member, Amy Sacco, hosted a Roundtable discussion entitled, "From Reactive to Strategic: A Prospect Research Conversation". Using prompted questions and breakout rooms, the group worked to identify common bottlenecks, share practical approaches and envision what a more intentionally designed research function could look like.
Amy Sacco is a Senior Prospect Research Manager for The Good Food Institute.
Interested in learning more about the chapter near you? You can find information on all our chapters here.
