This issue introduces a new design and a new departure for Connections. The new design elements are immediately apparent: the bright, bold colors of our triangular logo, symbolizing the three aspects of APRA: research, analysis and relationship management. Together these elements combine to make us partners, both as individuals and as an association, in the profession of philanthropy. Our new logo truly symbolizes this bold vision for an organization that first thought of itself as “only” prospect research.

David_Eberly

Prospect, suspect, potential donor — whatever you call your constituents with significant gift potential — without ratings, their importance can be undervalued or just overlooked completely. One of the most important tools a research analyst can provide to support and advance organizational fundraising success is estimating ratings for existing and newly identified prospects. Using prospect ratings, an analyst can then segment top prospects, forecast campaign gift potential, conduct fundraiser portfolio audits, assess prospect pipelines and more.

Lisa_Howley

In my last job, as Director of Research at the University of Cincinnati Foundation, I received phone calls from the Chairman of our board, Jim Kautz, from time to time. Kautz held immense passion for the organization and its work. He would always start out saying, “You are so critical to what we do here, because ... you are our aim guy.” His experience on the board of National Geographic Education Foundation, and as former Chair of the Vassar College board led him to value the role of research greatly. He loved to say how important it was for development offices to recognize the importance of "aim" — as in "ready/aim/shoot."

James_Holzbach

While a typical day in the life of today’s prospect researcher is likely to include tasks from reviewing the alerts on stock transactions or IPOs in one’s e-mail inbox to querying the database for an upcoming new donor event, there are those of us who can testify that, not so very long ago, these activities would have seemed like some kind of crazy pipe dream.

Beloit College, a highly regarded liberal arts school in Beloit, Wis., is known in part for its annual Mindset List®, a roster of notable characteristics of the incoming freshman class. Aside from being a delight to read, the list provides important perspective on the latest intergenerational “gaps” and shifts — and always sparks considerable reflection and discussion.

Every so often the discussion about the ethics of using information for fundraising purposes from so-called social network sites crops up on the PRSPCT-L, or makes an appearance in a conference session debating. The range of opinions among advancement research professionals regarding use of social networks, and individual information found within them, is quite diverse. This is a reflection of a new media that many of us are attempting to get our arms around. We are seeking clarity of something new that significantly alters the landscape of what is private in a profession based on personal relationships, confidentiality and information gathering.

So you want to be happy and healthy? Okay, this is what you have to do: (1) engage in a healthy diet, (2) partake in a daily power walk around the block at lunchtime and (3) consistently open up your wallet and give to your favorite charity. This is just what the doctor orders, Dr. Arthur Brooks that is. Brooks will be this year’s keynote speaker at the 21st APRA Annual International Conference in Denver, Colo.

Don't miss APRA's 21st Annual International Conference — or upcoming Symposia and Virtual Seminars.