Prospect Research #Chatbytes

What do you do when research uncovers something uncomfortable about a major donor? Evelyn Chen, Partner at Russell Philanthropies, shares how the Braver Leadership framework — clarity, candor, and courageous follow-through — helps organizations navigate the gray areas of philanthropic due diligence with integrity. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Evelyn Chen: LinkedIn Russell Philanthropies: Enews Subscribe Getting Started and Getting Serious about Due Diligence with Courtney Cutler Workshop | Due Diligence: Practice to Policy?

Major gift coach, podcaster, and author Mary Petersen has spent 25 years in the field and she's seen what happens when fundraisers don't act on research, chase high-capacity but low-affinity prospects, and avoid making the first call. In this episode, she shares what the early discovery phase of major gift fundraising really looks like, and how researchers and development officers can work better together. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Mary Petersen: LinkedIn | Website Book: What to Say: 12 Major Gift Asks to Get a YES Course: How to Have a Donor Meeting Small Group Coaching Program: Momentum Hey Fundraiser! Podcast

Regina Alhassan didn't plan to end up in fundraising — but 30 years later, she's the CEO of ResearchPRO and a passionate advocate for the value prospect development professionals bring to the table. In this Career Curious episode, she opens up about the accidental beginning, the faith walk of entrepreneurship, and what she'd tell anyone thinking about going solo. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Regina on LinkedIn ResearchPro

Tricia Marsherall, founder of Donor Database Experts, has seen it all: nonprofits convinced their database is broken, teams without a shared definition of "major gift," and the costly mistake of switching systems to solve a strategy problem. In this episode, she shares what thriving fundraising operations actually look like — and the preventative care every nonprofit needs. Resources Mentioned Connect with Tricia on LinkedIn Donor Database Experts | Knowledge Hub Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't | Jim Collins Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Fundraising consultant Valerie Anastasio explains the K-shaped economy, why the ultra-wealthy require discipline rather than optimism from researchers, and how to focus on the 10% of high-net-worth prospects who actually align with your mission—instead of chasing every billionaire. Connect with Valerie Anastasio: LinkedIn Inside Philanthropy by David Callahan: insidephilanthropy.com The Wall Street Journal: wsj.com Bloomberg: bloomberg.com Read More on the Learning Edge Blog  

Amy Modin, Director of Research and Prospect Management at the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation, shares how she rebuilt a broken portfolio management system by meeting fundraisers where they are, building trust through humility, and showing up consistently—even when best practices don't fit. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Vered Siegel, CFRE, Director of Prospect Management and Research at American Friends of the Hebrew University, unpacks what it really means to be a strategic partner in the age of AI—and why judgment, not information, is now the scarcest resource in fundraising operations. Resources Mentioned Connect with Vered Siegel : LinkedIn | Website Don't Just Ask the Database Directly | Vered Siegel | White Paper | 2026 What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets  by Michael J. Sandel Moralizing Technology: Understanding and Designing the Morality of Things by Peter-Paul Verbeek The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP) Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Major gift consultant Derry Deringer shares how prospect researchers can build fundraiser confidence through focused partnerships and why transparency with donors trumps perfection Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Derry Deringer | Connect on LinkedIn | Website: Deringer Consulting

AI isn't just coming to prospect research—it's already here, and it's changing how organizations identify and understand their donors. Will Schrepferman shares why he developed DonorAtlas. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog DonorAtlas | Solutions for Nonprofits Will Schrepferman | Connect on LinkedIn CARA Webinar | The Prospect Research Live Challenge: Race, Vote, and Win Better Prospects with AI | 1-2pm ET | Registration

Diana Marquis, founder of DMgroup Consulting, reveals how to manage major gifts with limited resources—and why good prospect research is the secret weapon every development director needs. Read More in the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Diana: LinkedIn | DMgroup Consulting

Diana Marquis explores how AI is transforming prospect research and what it means for the future of fundraising professionals. Resources Mentioned Connect with Diana: LinkedIn | DMgroup Consulting AI Tools mentioned: ChatGPT | Claude | Perplexity | Gemini

Karen Cochran reveals why two-thirds of transformational gifts come from outside your donor base—and how research unlocks these relationships. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Connect with Karen: LinkedIn | Philanthropy Innovators Website Why Your Major Gifts Program is Falling Short—And How to Fix It | Karen Cochran 5 Ways to Develop Billion-Dollar Relationships | Karen Cochran at AFP ICON 2025 | Available for purchase at AFP online  

Co-founder of Veritus Group, Jeff Schreifels shares how to identify true major gift prospects, why two-thirds of donors don't want deeper relationships, and how mid-level programs unlock significant giving opportunities. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn Veritus Group | The consulting firm Jeff co-founded in 2009 that works with nonprofits globally to create, build, and manage mid and major gift programs. Veritus Group Academy – An online training center launched in 2016 for fundraisers worldwide to develop skills in mid and major gifts.

Consultant Barbara Shelton shares how deep donor profiles and meaningful conversations transform campaigns. In this episode of ChatBytes, she reveals how researchers, consultants, and gift officers can slow down, ask better questions, and raise both their expectations—and their results. Read More in the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Barbara Shelton | LinkedIn Explore the Aspire Research Group Learn more about M.Gale

Courtney Cutler debunks myths, shares the nuances of due diligence and delivers tips for getting started in your organization. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Working across many areas of higher education, Aisha Maddox shares how her genuine curiosity led her to a fulfilling career in prospect development. In this episode, she shares the power of asking questions, the impact of community through APRA, and the many hats she wears as Director of Research and Relationship Management at Rollins College. Resources Mentioned Connect with Aisha: LinkedIn Learn more: Rollins College Advancement Join the Village: APRA Florida | APRA International

Bethany Morley, Director of Prospect Strategy and Research at West Chester University Foundation, combines frontline fundraising experience with genealogical expertise. She reveals how targeted portfolio adjustments yielded significant results, including a $1.5M planned gift. Connect with Bethany: LinkedIn Learn more: West Chester University Foundation  

Janet Weimar shares how the University of Iowa reimagined qualification and major gift portfolios for greater clarity and collaboration within the entire team. Connect with Janet: LinkedIn

Janna Lee shares top tips for keeping prospects engaged during staff turnover

For Carol Horner philanthropy is about more than making a donation, it's a lifestyle. Connect with Carol: LinkedIn | Spiral of Accountability book | Synchronicity Website Connect with Rotary: Rotary International | Rotary of Council Bluffs Noon | The Rotary Foundation  

Ruthie Giles explains the route from organized chaos to managed portfolios.

Devon Villa Gessert shares how she made the leap from doing to planning.  >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Raul Peralta, CEO and Founder of Kaleidoscope on making it easier to research financial filings. Additional Resources Connect with Raul Peralta: LinkedIn | Website Towards Data Science | https://towardsdatascience.com | Blog: "The world's leading publication for data science, AI, data analytics, data engineering and ML professionals." MarkTechPost Media | https://www.marktechpost.com Bindu Reddy on X | https://x.com/bindureddy | She talks about her company, Abacus.ai a lot, but she posts a lot of great content on AI and LLMs. Apra PRSPCT-L | You need to create a free account with what is now officially the Apra Exchange forums, but it originated as an old fashioned list-serv called PRSPCT-L. You'll find an Read more

Learn how Sarah Cadbury brought value with automated insights Connect with Sarah Cadbury | LinkedIn | GGA Bio Prospect Development: Rethink How You Categorize Prospects | Sarah Cadbury | Grenzebach Glier and Associates | 2023 Breaking up Is Hard to Do: When Your Organization and Industry Best Practices Grow Apart | Sarah Cadbury | Apra Connections | 2024 Read more

Meta Stange shares how INN manages and leverages the NewsMatch program for its nonprofit news members. Additional Resources Connect with Meta Stange | LinkedIn Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) | A network of 450 nonprofit newsrooms dedicated to providing independent, nonpartisan news coverage as a public service. NewsMatch | NewsMatch is a collaboration of funders, supported through the Fund for Nonprofit News, an open collaborative fund at The Miami Foundation, managed by the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), and learning partner, News Revenue How Funders Support Journalism with Ease and Precision | Chronicle of Philanthropy | 10/27/2023  How This Nationwide Matching Gift Campaign Galvanizes Support for Nonprofit News Outlets| Inside Philanthropy | 10/30/2023 | Requires subscription "A Pathway to Restoring Local News." Field Leader Sue Cross on the State of Journalism Philanthropy | Inside Philanthropy | 10/24/2023 | Requires subscription Read more

Kelyn Klein shares how she created a prospect management program as a solo researcher.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Diane Remin shares how she works with small nonprofits to amp up their fundraising.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Erik Hoover reveals the trends and tactics for recognizing and presenting family offices.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Chris Mildner shares how she builds sphere of influence lists for prospecting.   Read More on the Learning Edge Blog >>

Peggy Calhoun shares how relationships and prospect ID pair up for success in capital campaigns.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Tracy LaMondue shares how she uses corporate profiles to build relationships.   Tracy was featured in our publication, "In Good Company." Get your copy today.    >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Jim Langley shares how his background in writing led him to fundraising and a focus on better donor connections    >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

John Cerniglia shares stories and advice on getting the most out of prospect profiles.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Kina Collins shares how DPP is training BIPOC nonprofits to flourish.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Nilufa Begum talks about volunteering to research for Ukraine NGOs   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Christopher Haight shares his experience creating a successful Discovery Team.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Jon Garrow shares how he leverages A.I. Tools in Prospect Development   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Sharise Harrison describes her experiences – good and bad – with DEI in the development workplace.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Robert Osbornes shares the similarities and differences fundraising around the globe.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Meena Das teaches us to ask the question: How can we do good with data? >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Find out how Brock Silvey and the team at Northwestern University uncover the truth behind the zombie major gift proposals!   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Tim Wilson shares his career, who influences him, and why he created the People in Fundraising webcast.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Medha Nanal shares use cases for how machine learning can improve nonprofit outcomes.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Michele Tanzosch walks us through her experience storing profiles inside the database   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Marianne Pelletier shares her observations from the data analytics point of view.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Jen Filla shares her thoughts on the past and future of the Institute.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Discover how Terry Synnott's unusual career path has informed his prospect research work.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog    

Doug Cogswell explores how organizations achieve fundraising growth with data.   >> Learn more on the Learning Edge Blog

Adam Bradford shares his journey to finding and using Federal Reserve data for better capacity ratings. >> Learn more on the Learning Edge Blog

Find out if the "crypto winter" forecasts the end of cryptocurrency for philanthropy.   >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog