As 2024 draws to a close, we invite you to revisit this year’s most thought-provoking dilemmas addressed in Apra’s recurring column, “Ask the Ethicist.”

From repurposing political donor lists and handling employee wealth screenings to safeguarding donor privacy and using AI tools ethically, these discussions tackle timely challenges for prospect researchers and fundraisers. Each column offers practical advice to help our community uphold the highest ethical standards in an evolving prospect research landscape.

Can You Repurpose Political Donor Lists for Fundraising?

In this installment, a conflicted prospect research professional receives advice about the legal and ethical considerations of repurposing donor lists from political campaigns for prospecting.

How Do I Manage Wealth Screenings That Include Employees?

When staff members are also donors, how does a prospect researcher handle their wealth screening information with care? Dive in to best practices for when the lines between colleague and prospect are blurred.

How Can I Ensure Donor Data Privacy When Using AI?

While artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness, it also raises significant concerns, particularly regarding donor privacy. In this open letter, the Apra Ethicist addresses AI uses and best practices in fundraising ethics.

Recording Donor Meetings for AI-Generated Notes

For gift officers looking to streamline donor meetings, AI notetakers should be a no-brainer — right? The Apra Ethicist jots down a few notes of their own on the ethics and potential relationship impacts of using "listening" technologies.

How Should We Approach FEC Data for Prospect Research in 2024?

Around major elections, the temptation to leverage FEC data as a prospect researcher is strong. After all, individuals who give generously to political campaigns might also have the capacity to support your cause. However, the use of FEC data for charitable fundraising presents significant ethical and legal challenges.