Can a small, budget-conscious prospect development shop build its own secure AI tool? In the latest issue of Connections, Nikolai Shchelkov, MSIS, MBA, shares how he designed and tested a secure, offline agentic AI prototype at Eastern New Mexico University. Running entirely on a single laptop with zero budget, this tool allows researchers to ask natural-language questions of their donor giving history and get immediate, calculated results without risking sensitive constituent data.
Apra International has launched its new 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, marking a major milestone for the global prospect development community. Built on the core pillars of Advocate, Equip, Connect, and Thrive, this plan establishes a clear, forward-looking roadmap to advance ethical, insight-driven philanthropy. It focuses on strengthening the association's industry voice, expanding learning pathways, and deepening community inclusivity.
In the latest article for Connections, Stephanie Willis explores the complex legal and ethical landscape of buying, selling and renting donor data. Featuring insights from Mary Doorley Simboski and Sarah Marcotte, the piece highlights how list-sharing practices impact donor trust, compares U.S. and Canadian regulations and offers practical alternatives for growing an organization's donor base safely.