It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as Apra’s president and share with you some brief perspective and updates on our exciting year ahead.

Past

For over 30 years, Apra has advanced the prospect development profession and fundraising industry by providing emergent solutions and innovative thought leadership in prospect research, relationship management, leadership and data science — the domains that comprise Apra’s foundational and adaptive Body of Knowledge.

When I joined Apra over a decade ago, I was struck by the breadth of knowledge and depth of professional expertise across our members, representing local, national, and international voices, institutions, and industries. While our organizations reflect different geographies, sizes and causes, we remain united in strategically harnessing data to drive fundraising results for our philanthropic sectors and constituencies.

At its heart, Apra comes to life through its membership and growing networks of talented volunteers. Through dynamic and meaningful exchanges we ignite curiosity, help onboard new team members, reskill/upskill staff, promote cross-functional organizational learning, embrace automation, implement decision support, and actively advocate for the instrumental role prospect development plays in defining, leading and shaping fundraising success. We do so through Apra Communities, Chapters programming, Connections articles, Plug-In virtual events and our annual Prospect Development conference, to name a few.

Present

The Apra community continues to benefit from the success, wisdom and generosity of our past and current volunteers, many of whom are now leading their own teams.

Over half of our membership has more than 10 years of experience in prospect development (i.e., the artist formerly and sometimes separately known as prospect research and relationship management). Building on this foundation, data science and leadership are coming into heightened focus with the arrival of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications and accelerating advances in large language models (LLMs).

When we consider AI applications within the context of the future of work, in tandem with the great reevaluation and other workforce dynamics emerging from the pandemic, it becomes clear we need professional development and training resources to help our members keep pace, address challenges and become savvy consumers of advanced technology solutions while leading and navigating prospective change.

While technology change is constant, pervasive and disruptive, Apra remains committed to offering exceptional professional development and training resources to help you automate, improve and scale your team’s strategic contributions as knowledge workers and philanthropic partners. Beyond the technical domain, the philanthropy sector will need creative leaders who can flexibly navigate change, recruit talent, use state-of-the-art technologies, and translate their resultant insights into the context of familiar and unfamiliar fundraising problems.

Accordingly, I encourage you to periodically visit the Apra website for the latest onboarding and data science program offerings. I also invite you to familiarize yourself with our revamped Apra committees, composed of exceptional volunteers. If you would like to get involved or learn more, please do not hesitate to check out the Volunteer Opportunities page and complete the volunteer survey.

Future

Looking ahead to 2024, I am encouraged and enthusiastic about the professional development opportunities coming this spring, along with new insights we will generate together to inform our communities of practice, following our 2022-2025 strategic priorities.

Philanthropy is a noble and rewarding calling. As we conclude this season of gratitude, I encourage you to think of a past or current mentor within the Apra community who has made a positive impact on your career thus far. To honor and celebrate them, please consider sharing your mentorship story with our Content Development Committee, as well as nominating them for an Apra award. To learn more about Apra awards, please check out our Awards FAQ or contact Apra Headquarters.

On behalf of the Apra Board of Trustees and Apra Foundation, thank you for being a member of Apra and making a difference in the philanthropic sector. If you know someone who is considering joining the fundraising industry and would benefit from being part of our community, we offer an expanded range of membership options and extensive set of professional development resources.

Together, we are the minds and hands that make the Apra community so creative, helpful and vibrant. With your partnership, Apra is uniquely positioned to shape the prospect development profession and fundraising industry toward a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.

Looking forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead and beyond.

With appreciation,

Dr. Rodger Devine

Apra President 2023-2024