Apra Awards
Apra is proud to recognize industry accomplishments through several awards. Award winners will be recognized at Prospect Development 2021. View the Apra Past Awards Winners page for a list of previous award recipients.
Watch this short video to meet each of our 2021 award winners!
2021 Apra Scholarship
In support of Apra's goal to promote professional growth, Apra's Scholarship Award ensures accessibility to educational programming by awarding a scholarship to a prospect development professional based on financial need and professional merit. In a
The Apra Scholarship covers the costs of conference registration, accommodation (up to four nights) and travel expenses (not to exceed
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need
- Applicants must work at least 50% of the time in prospect development, prospect management, and/or analytics for a non-profit organization in a non-consulting capacity
- Scholarship winners must wait 10 years before applying again.
The recipient of the 2021 Apra Scholarship is Trish Hykes, Assistant Director of Prospect Research, Gettysburg College
About Trish Hykes
Trish Hykes has almost a decade of experience working for a variety of non-profits in various roles, but as a first-generation college student, she feels especially passionate about her work in higher education. She is currently an Assistant Director of Prospect Research at Gettysburg College, where she spearheads the reunion research and moves management process and is the lead staff member working with all major gift officer portfolios and their prospect management. Trish takes pride in her ability to develop strong relationships, which serves her well both when working with major gift officers, colleagues across the division, and other partners on campus.
Prior to Gettysburg, she was the Database Administrator at the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, where she dipped her toes into every aspect of development, including prospect research. She led efforts on individual giving, donor relations, as well as data tracking. She worked with the Vice President of Development to update the organization’s acknowledgment process and managed the production of the organization’s first annual Impact Report and stewardship plan.
Trish holds a BA in political science from Gettysburg College. She currently lives in Dillsburg, PA with her husband Tylor, a human baby Liam, and two fur babies Hops and Lily.
The 2021 Apra Scholarship is generously sponsored by iWave.
2021 Apra Margaret Fuhry Award
Funded by the Apra Foundation
Established in 1998, this award is given to an Apra member who shows a commitment to the prospect development profession based on his or her leadership, mentorship
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Employed in prospect development and/or related fields in a non-consulting capacity
- Apra member
- Volunteered within two years of the submission due date.
The recipient of the 2021 Margaret Fuhry Award is Jo Theodosopoulos, MLIS, Manager of Prospect Development, The Minneapolis Foundation
About Jo Theodosopoulos
Jo Theodosopoulos is the Manager of Prospect Development at the Minneapolis Foundation. In that role, she works across all the Foundation’s departments to find and help build potential relationships. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2014, Jo worked as a prospect researcher for the Sanford Health Foundation and spent five years in development and donor relations at the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. She earned a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a B.S. in liberal studies from South Dakota State University. She enjoys sitting in her backyard oasis, reading ALL the books, and standing on her head.
The 2021 Margaret Fuhry award is generously sponsored by Wealth-X.
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2021 Apra Professional of the Year Award
This award was established in 1999 and is open to all Apra members. Formerly known as the Researcher of the Year award, it recognizes an outstanding prospect development professional who has made a significant positive impact on his or her organization's success in fulfilling its mission. The award is intended to recognize the skills, talents
The Apra Professional of the Year award recipient receives a full complimentary conference registration and accommodations.
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Be employed by a nonprofit organization registered with its national governing authority (if in the United States, a 501(c)(3)
- Conducts prospect research and/or relationship management in his/her position at least 50% of the time
- Be an Apra member in good standing.
The recipient of the 2021 Apra Professional of the Year Award is Jennifer Warner, Manager, Resource Development, The Guthrie Clinic
About Jennifer Warner
Jennifer Warner is the Manager of Resource Development for The Guthrie Clinic. Jennifer is accountable for database management, research, reporting and financial operations and is a 15+ year not-for-profit leader enjoying roles in arts/culture, grantmaking and healthcare. Jennifer lives to optimize process and enjoys taking on new data challenges that solve complex problems in fundraising and beyond. Living in Corning, NY, Jennifer shares her life with her husband, Brian, two amazing daughters, Elia and Gianna, and kittens, Basil and Salem. Her motto in life: Ever Forward.
The 2021 Apra Professional of the Year Award is generously sponsored by Blackbaud.
2021 Apra Distinguished Service Award
Funded by the Apra Foundation
Established in 1990, the Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has enhanced both the prospect development profession and Apra through exceptional contributions beyond his/her daily paid work. The award takes into account professional competencies (the Apra Skill Sets and the Body of Knowledge) and personal competencies (contributions that facilitate learning and talents that are exceptional). Self-nominations are permitted.
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Apra membership in good standing at the time of nomination
- At least five years of experience in the field of prospect development
Nominees cannot be employees of the award sponsor or current board members of Apra International.
The recipient of the 2021 Apra Distinguished Service Award is Caroline Oblack, Director, Research, Prospect Management & Analytics, Oregon Health & Science University Foundation
About Caroline Oblack
Caroline Oblack, Ed.M. has more than 20 years experience in the areas of research and prospect management and currently serves as Director of Research, Prospect Management, and Analytics at Oregon Health & Science University Foundation in Portland, OR. Prior to OHSU Foundation, Caroline worked for WealthEngine, Inc., American Red Cross – National Headquarters, Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, and as an independent consultant. Caroline’s volunteer experience includes previously serving on the Apra International, Apra-NW and Apra-VA boards. She served as Chair of the Body of Knowledge Committee in 2019, Chair of Apra's Prospect Development Conference in 2016, and has served as a member of several other Apra committees. Caroline earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Oregon and her Master’s degree in Education from Strayer University. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for more than 20 years and they have two sons.
If you have questions about Apra awards, please view our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact Apra Headquarters.
