Dear Apra Community,

It has been an immensely rewarding and fulfilling experience to serve as Apra’s president this past year. I am grateful to have had the privilege and opportunity to partner with such a diverse and talented network of volunteer leaders to collectively move our strategic priorities forward. Through our robust learning orientation and communities of practice, Apra remains committed to serving as the leading organization for professional members seeking to translate data, research expertise and technology systems into strategy and insights that sustainably drive fundraising growth, impact and success for our philanthropic institutions and their respective beneficiaries around the world.

Reflecting on our work together this past year, I would like to reiterate my gratitude to the entire Apra community, which is comprised of members, Chapters, committees, year-round sponsors, volunteers, mentors and friends. Their generous contributions help advance Apra’s mission and efforts to elevate the role of the prospect development profession within the fundraising industry.

I would also like to recognize and extend heartfelt thanks to our Chapters Committee, Content Development Committee, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Justice and Access (DEIBJA) Committee, Educational Professional Development Committee, Ethics & Compliance Committee, Membership Committee and Industry Advisory Task Force. Throughout this year, these groups have offered innovative leadership, volunteer service, and collaborative work. They embrace changed and provided feedback, recommendations, and educational offerings that meet the dynamic and nuanced needs of the growing Apra community, which spans nearly 2,200 members across nine countries and counting.

With the support of our creative, innovative and dedicated committee and task force volunteers, Apra has accomplished much in the first half of the year. Earlier, we hosted a four-part Chapters Share the Knowledge series and are planning to host a Chapter Summit at Prospect Development 2024, this August in Seattle. Members of our Content Development Committee have brought forward creative, insightful content, including a “love letter” to our profession, highlights of unique tuition reimbursements, and a member poll on managing well-being across different work environments that became a webinar and article series. The Apra Foundation successfully reached its $2,500 match goal during the 10^th anniversary celebration of Prospect Development Pride Month, introduced a monthly giving option for year-round support, and issued 37 grants awards for professional development assistance to date. These select examples, to name a few, highlight the critical role our volunteers play in not only shaping Apra’s work, but in actively supporting our current members with their emergent and unique professional development needs as well.

Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendar for an upcoming partner webinar, Buried Treasure: Mapping Your Way to Grateful Patient Donors on Wednesday, July 24, as well as Dashboards that Deliver: Apra Dashboard Showcase on Thursday, July 25. Both are free for Apra members.

The 2024 Salary Survey took in more than 700 participants, and results are expected to publish in early August, with a full report complimentary for professional members. I would also encourage you to bookmark the Apra Events webpage to keep current on upcoming Apra events, webinars and other professional development opportunities, including Plug-In to Due Diligence, scheduled for November 6 and 7 (details to follow).

ICYMI, there is still time to register for Prospect Development 2024 (PD2024). To learn more about the conference, please refer to the PD2024 website, which includes information on Apra Fundamentals, Data Science Now/Data Science Now Challenge, Executive Leadership Cohort, sponsorship opportunities, and the PD Counselor Program designed for first-time attendees. Special thanks to our Conference Planning Committee and Apra staff for their extensive work to make this year’s conference a resounding success for the Apra community.

On behalf of the Apra Board of Directors and Apra Foundation Board of Trustees, thank you for being a member of Apra and all that you do—today and tomorrow—to help advance the prospect development profession and fundraising industry amid accelerating technological, policy and workforce changes.

Apra stays relevant, useful and vibrant through your curiosity, thought leadership, volunteer service and feedback. It is my hope that you are proud of what we accomplished together this past year as we prepare and develop capacity for the future of work. It is also my hope that you will consider getting more informed, connected and engaged with Apra, as there is always a place for you to share, grow and refine your skill sets and expertise within this peer-inspired community of practice and life-long learners.

I certainly look forward to connecting and celebrating with you at PD2024 and beyond. Looking ahead, I am excited and optimistic about Apra’s future direction under the capable and thoughtful leadership of Anne Brownlee, our incoming president for 2024-2025.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Anne as she takes on this important leadership role for the Apra community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rodger Devine

Apra President 2023-2024

Apra Foundation Board of Trustees Chair

Dr. Rodger Devine
President, Apra; Assistant Vice President of Advancement Operations, Pomona College