As we turn our calendars to 2026, make personal and professional resolutions, and do other things that beginning a new year entails, the Content Development Committee (CDC) is taking a moment to reflect on contributions from you, our members, that shaped 2025. It was a year full of change, creativity, and conversation across the prospect development community. Apra Connections continued to be a space where practitioners shared insights, learned from one another, and elevated the field through best practices, experiences within our organizations, and big-picture thinking.
A manager's experience reveals that team success hinges on navigating different "life stages." Initially, an experienced, high-performing team was a "well-oiled machine" that quickly left for promotions. This led to a team of all "newbies" who, despite needing intense training, brought vital fresh energy and innovative process improvements. The author now favors the "Half and Half" approach—a mix of tenured and new staff—which balances institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives. However, it requires intentional effort to ensure equitable development. Discover why managing these different compositions—from high-speed efficiency to urgent training needs—is the key to sustained success in a constantly changing environment.
Fundraising thrives at the essential intersection of "art" and "science," where data informs strategy and empathy fuels connection. While the science involves using predictive tools, tracking engagement histories, and managing the prospect pipeline, the art is in crafting resonant messages, adapting conversations in real-time, and ensuring every donor feels valued. True success, however, emerges when these two worlds merge: when data insights are guided by empathy and when relationships are strengthened by research. Development professionals, especially those in prospect development, achieve maximum effectiveness by engaging in cross-training and building trust with frontline gift officers, allowing them to transform from behind-the-scenes researchers into holistic "thinking partners" who can anticipate needs, understand donor nuance, and ultimately build a deeper, more successful culture of philanthropy.