In this new series from the Apra Content Development Committee, we take a moment to learn more about the members that make up our community. With thousands of unique stories to tell, this series offers perspectives into individuals’ prospect development (PD) origin stories, crowning achievements of their careers, predictions for the future of the profession and much more.

Take a moment and get to know Sloane White, specialist of research and prospect development at Jane Goodall Institute USA (JGI), below.

 

How long have you been in the PD field?

Six months.

Why did you join Apra?

I'm new to the field and wanted to learn more and make connections with other professionals.

Do you belong to an Apra Chapter?

Yes, Apra Metro DC.

What prompted you to join the PD field? What’s your career origin story?

I was a development coordinator new to the nonprofit world. I took an introductory fundraising course with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the module on prospect research was fascinating to me.

I've always liked digging into the data and finding patterns and information to inform strategies. My organization had plans to develop a more robust PD program, so I expressed my interest. My supervisor and other leadership at my organization were incredibly supportive and encouraged me to learn more. I joined Apra to do just that. Earlier this year I was promoted into my position as a research and prospect development professional.

Have you participated in any Apra chapter mentorship programs and/or do you have a mentor in the field?

I have not participated in any mentorship programs. When I attended Apra Fundamentals in 2023, I was lucky enough to meet Jennifer Moody, who has become a mentor to me. She is always there to provide information and answer my questions. She introduced me to numerous other people in her network when I met up with her again at Apra PD 2024. She has been a fantastic mentor as I start my journey in PD.

What would you say to encourage someone to volunteer with Apra?

It's a fantastic source of information. Everything you could possibly need is available through the resources provided by Apra. More than that, it is also a fantastic network of professionals in this field. The Apra community is full of wonderful people looking to help each other and share information. It's a great thing to be a part of.

In terms of work modality, are you remote, hybrid,or in person?

I am fully remote.

How has being part of Apra benefited your career? 

It's helped in more ways than I can count. We are implementing a lot of processes to build out our PD program at JGI, so the information I've learned has been invaluable. I came away from Apra PD 2024 with so much information and ideas that I was able to take back to my organization.

What has surprised you the most about the field of PD?

It's a field of growth. Instead of sticking to traditional ways of researching and managing prospects, the field is constantly adapting to new ideas and technology. The attention to the impacts of artificial intelligence on the PD field at this year’s Apra PD conference was a clear showcase of professionals leveraging new tools to improve output. It's an incredibly innovative field which makes it exciting to be a part of.

What career accomplishments are you most proud of and why?

I've only been in my PD role for about six months, but we have implemented a lot of new processes already that have helped inform our donor strategies. There is still a huge amount of work to do, but I am incredibly proud of the work I am doing with my team to really establish this PD program at our organization to increase efficiencies and improve our impact.

Look ahead five to 10 years. How do you think prospect development will have changed?

It's hard to predict with the constant changes in technology, but I imagine it will be more important than ever. The age of information has been helpful for organizations to learn more about their donors, but the sheer volume of information can make verification difficult. That available information will only increase with time, making PD crucial for an efficient development program.

What might you say to inspire someone to consider PD as a career?

For me, it's really great for people who like quantitative and qualitative aspects of a job. If you like working with numbers but also like understanding the nuances of what makes a donor tick, this is the right job for you. It's also the perfect mix of independent and collaborative work. There's a lot more to the field than one might think.

When I first heard of PD, I thought it was all about providing research profiles on donors. While that is an important part, PD has so much more to offer. It's portfolio management, working with gift officers, moves management, understanding relationship building, data analytics and so much more. There is something for everyone.

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