Prospect development professionals are increasingly expected to do more than identify qualified prospects. As the role becomes more connected to strategy, aspiring leaders need to explain the value of their work in ways that resonate with executive teams and boards. This session introduces the ARC framework (accountability, risk, and competency) as a practical tool for strengthening leadership conversations and supporting better-informed fundraising decisions. It also addresses why this matters now: organizations are facing greater scrutiny around alignment, ethics, and long-term sustainability, and leaders need clearer decision support that goes beyond prospect qualification alone.
Key takeaways: Attendees will leave with a practical framework, clearer leadership-oriented language, and a set of questions they can use right away to strengthen the support they provide to leadership, communicate value more effectively, and contribute to more ethical, informed, and mission-aligned fundraising conversations.
Interactive plan: The session is designed as an interactive breakout with facilitated discussion, Q&A, and a brief reflection exercise. Participants will identify one leadership conversation they want to influence more effectively and consider how the ARC framework can help them bring more strategic insight and confidence to that discussion.
Learning Outcomes:
- After attending, participants will be able to describe their work in more strategic terms, contribute more confidently to leadership discussions, and apply the ARC framework to conversations about organizational fit, readiness, and alignment.
Stream: Aspiring Leaders
Format: Breakout Session
Ideal Industries: Animal Welfare & the Environment, Arts & Museums, Community Services, Healthcare, Higher Education, and International Aid