September 2023
New Think Tank Series: Engage, Explore, Evolve! Join us for our two sessions on September 12th and 13th:
- Trauma-Informed Nonprofit Marketing Training by Maria Bryan, September 12th, 2023, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EDT.)
Join Maria Bryan for an insightful meeting designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to convey trauma-informed and ethically conscious stories that create a significant impact. - Be Your Own Advocate: Promoting Yourself and Your Ideas at Work by Janice Cunning, Leadership Coach & Facilitator, September 13th, 2023, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EDT.)
What comes up when you think about promoting yourself or your ideas? Sometimes you might feel stuck when you have to “sell” yourself. But you have goals and a vision for your career. You have great ideas you want to share. This session will include live coaching demos to illustrate how each person can find an authentic way to advocate for themselves. You will have a chance to reflect on what ideas you could apply in your own workplace. Learning Outcomes:
- Explore ideas to advocate for yourself and / or your ideas at work
- Understand how coaching can help you approach this in an authentic way
- Find ideas you can apply to your own situation
To register, simply click here.
Other Upcoming Events
- Building your Corporate Partner Prospect List Like a Pro by Heather Nelson - September 19th, 2023, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EDT) In today's landscape, growing your pipeline with corporate prospects goes beyond relying solely on your personal and Board Members' connections. Join Heather Nelson, MBA, CFRE for an opportunity to learn how to curate your corporate partner prospect list. To register, click here.
Member Spotlight
We're excited to showcase Helen Martin, a Research Analyst at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Helen's passion for research and analytics is inspiring, and her commitment to giving back shines through. She also served as the Apra Canada Regional Representative for four years, highlighting her outstanding leadership within our community.
- How long have you worked in the Prospect Development field? What sparked your interest in prospect research, and how did you pursue it as a career?
My 8th anniversary is in September, I always celebrate it! I was fascinated by Prospect Research from afar, when I was working in Annual Giving down the hallway. My background includes studies in History and Shakespeare, and work in museums, archives, theatres, publishing, and libraries. Lots of curiosity and research skills! I went for coffee with a prospect researcher friend to learn more, then an informational interview with the director of the team. I was fortunate enough to be offered a secondment, which later turned into a full time position. I learned on the job, with an amazing team! - If you could share one piece of advice with aspiring prospect researchers, what would it be?
Prospect Research is lifelong learning! When I started out in this career, I was told it can take two years until you feel like you really know the job, and for me, that felt accurate. But honestly, I’m still learning every day, and that’s part of what I love about the work. - Can you tell us about a triumphant professional moment or experience you've had that made you do a happy dance?
I remember being very happy when I realized that a name I’d identified for a list led directly to a seven-figure gift in less than a year, it was so fast and utterly thrilling. - Can you share your favourite research or prospect management tool or trick?
Gosh I have so many favourites, but one I really appreciate is the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, especially for old articles or extinct webpages. On a daily basis, my top favourite is iWave. - What CRM do you use at your organization, and what do you like about it?
We use Blackbaud, and I especially like the features of Request Queue to manage our work, and Queries for creating lists. - If you possessed a magical wand that could instantly complete any work-related task, which task would you conquer with a flick of your wrist?
It would be great to have magically updated research snapshots! - In your experience, what are some of the emerging trends or challenges in the field of prospect development, and how do you foresee these impacting our work in the future?
Social media and news. It’s changing so fast right now, and I think this will impact how people use it, and also what will be available publicly. The Online News Act, for example, is already changing the news landscape on social media, and this may also affect media scans in the future. - When you aren't working, how do you spend your time?
Walking around Granville Island taking photos, Ukulele singer-songwriting and performing at Zoom open mics, reading books, and discovering new music. I’ve been a theatre actor for over 30 years, however mostly online acting in the last few years, and I still love it.
Member Insights
Harnessing the Potential of APRA Canada's Research Shop Management Toolkit
By: Kathryn Collins
Being a seasoned prospect researcher stepping into a new role at a different organization is both an exhilarating journey and a land of untapped possibilities. As I embarked on this adventure, my priority was to ensure a seamless transition and enhance the efficiency of our research processes. That's when I turned to a resource that has proven to be an invaluable asset - Apra Canada's Research Shop Management Toolkit.
I must say, this toolkit has brought a refreshing wave of effectiveness to our operations. A collection of thoughtfully designed templates and insightful best practice guides has become my compass in navigating this new chapter and fostering a sense of collaboration among my fellow team members.
Amid the whirlwind of my new responsibilities, I've discovered myself frequently relying on several gems from this toolkit:
1. Individual Capacity Assessment: Right from the outset, a crucial project involved identifying potential major gift prospects. This toolkit enabled me to swiftly offer research to our Executive Team for evaluation. It's like having a toolkit that not only equips but empowers me.
2. Reference Question Form: The familiarity of this form reminds me of my early career days. Recently, I effectively utilized it to summarize research for a question that didn't warrant a full profile. The form’s simplicity saves time and encourages efficiency.
3. Research Request Form: In today's dynamic work environment, this form has emerged as a guiding beacon. It outlines essential information requirements, time frames, and even contextual insights about how the information will be utilized. It's a dependable ally in a changing landscape.
4. Request Tracking Template: Staying on top of prospect research objectives, documenting interactions, and preserving discussed cultivation strategies has been seamless with this template. It's like having a personal assistant devoted to ensuring everything is on track.
As I anticipate the year ahead and focus on documenting processes for my role, I find comfort in the fact that this toolkit will remain a steady companion.
So, if you're navigating a new role like me or simply seeking ways to amplify efficiency and teamwork, I wholeheartedly recommend embracing Apra Canada's Research Shop Management Toolkit. It’s not just a toolkit; it's an indispensable partner in our prospect research journey.
Apra Canada Welcomes
Rolling out the welcome mat for the newest additions to our Apra Canada family! Get to know the talented individuals and institutional members who have recently joined or renewed their membership:
Individual Members:
- Beth Houslander, Specialist, Philanthropic Research, WWF-Canada
- Elanna Giang, Manager, Prospect Development, Covenant House Vancouver
- Howard Baker, Associate Director, Research, Scarborough Health Network Foundation
- Jie Yang, Research Coordinator, North York General Foundation
- Kathryn Moore Collins, Prospect Researcher, Major Gifts, Habitat for Humanity, GTA
- Nipun Kudalkar, Officer, Prospect Research, The National Ballet of Canada
- Shea Larin, Manager, Development Research, Heart & Stroke Foundation
- Stacey Baker, Consultant, Self-Employed/Freelance
- Tara Giggie, Donor Relations Officer, Oakville Hospital Foundation
Institutional Members:
- CharityCAN
- Queen's University
- Simon Fraser University
- Sunnybrook Foundation
- Toronto Metropolitan University
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