Happy Prospect Development Pride Month! In this Connections article, Apra Foundation President Stephanie Willis celebrates the legacy of the month and issues a call to action for the community. Originally sparked by a 2014 article by Helen Brown, PD Pride has become a vital time for the Apra community to advocate for the profession and celebrate the individuals driving philanthropy.
With professional development budgets tightening across the industry, the Apra Foundation provides essential scholarships, awards, and grants to ensure career growth remains accessible. For 2026, the Foundation has set an ambitious goal to raise at least $8,000 to sustain these programs. Your contribution can go twice as far thanks to a March matching gift challenge, and President Stephanie Willis has even pledged to donate an additional $1 for every unique donor who participates this month, regardless of gift size
Struggling with a tight professional development budget? You're not alone.
Discover how the Apra Foundation's new PD Lottery is bridging the gap, investing in the next generation of fundraising and prospect development professionals! This article shines a light on the seven inaugural winners who—thanks to a $2,500 prize covering registration, travel, and hotel—attended the Apra PD conference for the very first time.
Hear inspiring stories from winners like independent consultant Morgan Heck and Yale's Laurel Zhuang on how this opportunity boosted their skills, expanded their networks, and connected them with a vital community. Read about the impact of investing in professional growth and learn how you can help the Apra Foundation continue to fuel development across the field.
Every March, Apra celebrates the vital contributions of prospect development professionals during Prospect Development Pride Month. But despite our professional community driving nonprofit successes, many organizations struggle to fund professional development. Learn how the Apra Foundation is working to bridge this gap — and how you can help support this mission.