This article explores the nuances of hiring in the prospect development profession, a field that thrives on interdisciplinary skills such as research, analytics, and relationship management. The author emphasizes that there is no single "typical" path into the field, with successful candidates often transitioning from library science, frontline fundraising, or data analysis. Key insights include the importance of strong collaboration between prospect development leaders and talent acquisition teams, as well as the use of discipline-specific resources such as the Apra Career Center. By focusing on transferable skills, clear communication, and "humanness" in the interview process, organizations can build more effective and diverse teams to drive their philanthropic missions.
In part two of this series on adopting new technologies, we dive into a realistic scenario that explores how cross-functional teams can effectively vet tools such as LLMs and Generative AI. Following a university director’s journey to investigate AI’s benefits and risks, the article highlights the necessity of a formal team charter and executive buy-in. By leveraging diverse expertise—from engineering to industrial process modeling—the team identifies critical risks, such as "hallucinations," that could impact donor relations. Ultimately, the story demonstrates how disciplined, collaborative research leads to strategic recommendations that prioritize institutional reputation over media hype.
Not-for-profits are increasingly interested in how Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI can help them achieve more with finite resources. This Connections article explores the use of cross-functional "improvement teams" to vet these novel technologies. By leveraging a formal charter, senior-leader champions, and subject matter experts, organizations can move past the hype to find objective, data-driven solutions for their specific missions