As professional development budgets tighten across the industry, opportunities such as attending conferences are becoming rare for many organizations. And yet, conferences play a key role in advancing the profession and are invaluable for attendees looking to develop professional skills and expand their network. Conferences are where learning meets connection.  

Since 1988, Apra has hosted the annual Apra Prospect Development conference, an opportunity that allows attendees to share and learn best practices, preview emerging technologies, and connect with other professionals in the Apra community. Many attendees often share that Apra PD is one of their favorite times of the year. Not only does the PD conference provide high-quality sessions by subject matter experts, many professionals find networking opportunities at the Apra PD conference develop into authentic friendships that extend beyond the conference experience. 

In July 2025, the Apra Foundation recognized that many organizations no longer offered the professional development funds to attend the Apra PD conference. As a result, the Apra Foundation saw a need to bridge that gap and wanted to invest back into the profession. Thanks to the generous support from past donors, the Apra Foundation was able to allocate funds for seven individuals to attend the Apra PD conference for the first time. A lottery was opened to all Apra members who had not previously attended a PD conference. Each prize was valued at $2,500 and included conference registration, transportation and hotel costs. 

Behind each lottery winner is a story of someone whose career, confidence, and community impact has grown because they were able to attend the Apra PD conference. This year’s recipients included Makayla Brown from Southern Utah University, Deryl Edwards from Liberty University, Morgan Heck a nonprofit consultant, Elsie McLaughlin from Providence College, Gracelyn Sweeney from The Huntington, Jordana Wexler from the University of Toronto, and Laurel Zhuang from Yale University. While each recipient’s experience at the conference was different, they all found new ways to connect, learn, and lead as a result.  

Lottery winner Morgan Heck shared that she was grateful to be a lottery recipient because she is an independent consultant who works remotely and relies on networking connections. Morgan believes “conference attendance feels important more now than ever”. Without conference opportunities, so many remote and hybrid workers can feel they are working in a vacuum.  

Another recipient, Laurel Zhang, appreciated the opportunity to meet with professionals from other organizations and get a firsthand look at the depth and breadth of the fundraising industry. 

Prior to her current role at Yale University, Laurel studied economic and political development and worked in corporate America. Her goal in job searching was to transition to an institution and a role where she could give back and make a positive impact. The first time Laurel heard about Apra was when she interviewed for her job as a high net worth analyst with former Apra president Jill Meister and active volunteer Marisa Spittal. This was Laurel’s first year in the field, but like so many other organizations, there wasn’t enough funding for Yale to send the entire team to the Apra PD conference.  

Thanks to the Apra PD lottery, Laurel got to experience the Apra community, a welcoming space that embraces those new to the profession. Laurel also got to meet with some of the vendors that sponsored the event, and she found everyone was so generous with their time, answering questions, and providing best practice recommendations. Overall, Laurel feels grateful to be able to have attended when many of her coworkers didn’t get to attend because of limited funds.  

Since 1998, the Apra Foundation has supported educational opportunities and professional development for individuals engaged in advancement research and serves as the charitable arm of Apra. Two primary activities of the Foundation are supporting the Apra Awards and granting $300 professional development fund opportunities for Apra members who have experienced financial hardship. The 2025 Apra PD lottery was a new initiative for the Apra Foundation and only made possible thanks to the generosity of donors.  

Sharise Harrison, current Apra President, recently shared “More than ever, we need genuine care for another and our communities. Every successful nonprofit relies on the generosity of its donors. Through scholarships, grants, and recognition awards, the Foundation invests directly in these professionals, equipping them to keep philanthropy strong and vibrant.” 

Congratulations again to Makayla, Deryl, Morgan, Elsie, Gracelyn, Jordana, and Laurel on being the 2025 Apra PD lottery winners. Each of you is a reminder of what’s possible when a community invests in each other.  

Want to continue providing opportunities and fuel growth across our field? Please consider donating to the Apra Foundation so that we are able to continue offering key opportunities for professionals. For more information, contact Apra Foundation president Stephanie Willis, or consider making a donation in honor of the profession. Every donation, no matter how small or large, counts! 

Stephanie Willis
Apra Foundation President, Sr. Manager of Prospect Development at Creative Fundraising Advisors

 

Stephanie is passionate about helping nonprofits understand how to effectively use data and research to enhance fundraising. Stephanie currently works at the consulting firm Creative Fundraising Advisors and has nearly 15 years of experience in prospect research, prospect management, and data analytics at both higher education and nonprofit organizations. Stephanie is a current Apra Board member and the President of the Apra Foundation. She has been a longtime Apra volunteer and is passionate about giving back. Stephanie is the author of the upcoming book, The Art and Science Approach to Fundraising Data and Research (Amplify Publishing Group, 2026).