Research Pride Month represents an opportunity for us to reflect on everything we love about our work and our community. One aspects that makes our community so unique is how supportive and giving our members are toward one another. Many of the Research Pride stories we hear each year feature expressions of gratitude for the countless colleagues who have selflessly given of themselves to help others become better professionals.

In that generous spirit, all donations made to the Apra Foundation’s Professional Development Assistance Fund during this year’s Research Pride Month will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,500 total!

The entire Apra Board of Directors has personally provided the first $1,000 for the initial match pool, and Conference Planning Committee Chair Stephanie Brouwer made an early gift, expanding the pool to $1,500. “I'm honored to support Apra, an organization that has given me so much over the past ten years,” Stephanie shared when asked what it means to be a donor to the Fund. “The knowledge I've learned, and the connections I've made, are priceless. I hope my gift can inspire others to give, volunteer or advocate in whatever way they are able!”

We are also thrilled to announce that former Apra board members Jay Frost and Helen Brown (also the founder of Research Pride Month!) have generously provided lead gifts. “Apra has played a transformational role in my career from the time I attended my first conference way back in 1990,” Jay explained. “Over the years, the Apra community has provided me with countless opportunities to learn, lead, contribute and connect with many of the smartest and most generous-hearted people in philanthropy. Being an Apra Foundation donor allows me to give back and play a part in supporting the next generation of professionals.”

“Most nonprofits are under-resourced — that’s just a fact of our sector,” Helen acknowledged. “As practitioners, we know without any doubt that prospect development provides a critical edge for more intelligent, efficient fundraising. That’s why it’s important for me to support the Apra Foundation, so that others will have the same opportunities that I’ve had to access great continuing education. By supporting our colleagues, we can help lift up the whole sector.”

Since its inception in 2021, donors to the Professional Development Assistance Fund have helped members experiencing financial limitations access the breadth of Apra’s educational resources. Recipients receive $200 in credit toward their choice of any live Apra educational event or any item(s) available in Apra University.

To date, the Fund has awarded 21 grants for a total of $4,200 in assistance, and another round of grants is currently underway. By giving to the Fund, donors are creating a living legacy of supporting not only the growth of our colleagues, but also the advancement of our profession.

Will you consider participating in the match with a gift of your own? By leveraging this special match opportunity, your gift will have double the impact. Please click here to make your donation today!

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Research Pride and giving back to our vibrant community.

Catherine Flaatten, MPH, CFRE
Associate Vice President of Prospect Development, BWF

Catherine Flaatten, MPH, CFRE partners with clients to develop creative, bespoke solutions to all types of prospect development challenges as the associate vice president of prospect development at BWF. Previously, she served in various roles at The George Washington University, most recently as the managing director of research and relationship management. Catherine has also worked in prospect development at Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry, the National Psoriasis Foundation and the BrightFocus Foundation.

A regular speaker and author within the prospect development community, Flaatten currently serves as the president of Apra Metro DC and as co-chair of the aasp Best Practices in Prospect Development Committee, and she is a trustee of the Apra Foundation. Formerly, she volunteered with a number of organizations, such as the Apra Membership Committee, Apra Body of Knowledge Committee, Apra PD Curriculum Planning Committee, Alexandria Choral Society, Beta Phi House Corporation for Alpha Delta Pi, and Senior Services of Alexandria.

Catherine holds a bachelor of arts in international affairs and an master of public health in maternal and child health, both from The George Washington University

Lindsey Nadeau
Vice President of Data, Insight and Campaigns, UNICEF USA

Lindsey Nadeau guides UNICEF USA's organization toward data-driven decision making and automation across campaign planning, prospect research, relationship management, database management, reporting, analytics, gift processing and record management as the vice president of data, insight and campaigns. She was previously the director of research and relationship management at The George Washington University, led development operations at the Center for American Progress, was an assistant director of prospect research and management at The American University, and held multiple roles (read: too many hats!) in development operations at Public Citizen.

Nadeau has served as co-chair and faculty for CASE’s annual Prospect Development Conference and is a former chair of the aasp Prospect Development Best Practices Committee. She is a member of Apra International’s board of directors, an Apra Foundation trustee and a former president of Apra Metro DC. She has chaired Apra International’s Conference Planning Committee, and has served on Apra International’s Nominations, Connections Editorial Advisory, Data Analytics Symposium, Apra Talks and Body of Knowledge committees. She is an instructor of Relationship Management: Data, Policy, Insight at Rice University’s Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and serves on iWave’s Advisory Counsel. Most recently, Nadeau contributed to CASE’s 2023 book, “Advancement Strategies: A Reference Guide for Advancement Services Professionals, 4^th Edition.” Lindsey holds a bachelor of arts in economics from The American University and enjoys a charmed life in Reston, VA, as an equestrian, wife of a winemaker and mom to 4-year-old Adeline.