The following is APRA's official response to a recent Wall Street Journal article about fundraising research.

Anne Kadet's recent article about research in philanthropic organizations (Smart Money: Is Your Favorite Charity Spying on You? (May 16, 2010)) misrepresents the scope and purpose of donor research, and as a result misleads Journal readers about its nature and use.

Like so many, we share a deep concern for and sensitivity to personal privacy and identity security. That's why in addition to complying with all legal requirements, including legislation such as FERPA and HIPAA, professional researchers also adhere to thoughtful ethical guidelines about how information should be gathered and used. A deep-seated concern for individual privacy is also why we and our organizations are fundamentally committed to maintaining the confidentiality of personal data that our donors have shared with us.

The nonprofits we work for aspire to be as effectively managed as for-profit organizations, using technology, market research, and smart business skills to flourish when resources are constrained. Research and analytics help charities use staff, volunteer time and marketing resources as carefully and effectively as possible. Information we gather and use is obtained from publicly available sources — sources accessible to anyone reading this article. Fundraising researchers can no more be considered 'spying' on donors than the Journal can be considered 'spying' when it analyzes an SEC document or reports on a public court filing.

We encourage those who would like to learn more about the profession, our work to serve the public good, and our ethical commitment, to visit the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) at www.APRAhome.org.

Deborah L. Mueller 
APRA President

Robert D. Scott 
APRA President-elect