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.
Couldn’t make the conference or listen to the recording? No need for FOMO! This article brings the conference experience to you!
The 2025 Apra Debates focused on three critical prospect development issues: data access for fundraisers, the problem of too much data, and AI readiness. Debaters weighed data transparency against the need for expert interpretation, and the strategic value of comprehensive data against the risk of "analysis paralysis." While the audience leaned toward compromise on access and adopted an optimistic view of AI, the session underscored a core theme: prospect development professionals must remain strategic, adaptable, and focused on continuous learning to navigate the evolving industry landscape successfully.