Event Information

Anyone with an interest in prospect development is welcome to attend an Apra Carolinas event. Our in-person events generally include lunch and a full-day focused on professional development. For more information, or if you are interested in presenting or hosting, please contact the Education Committee Chair, Rachael Walker.


"One quality of leaders and high achievers in every area seems to be a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development." 

- Brian Tracy


Upcoming events

    • 04/15/2024
    • 04/19/2024
    • Zoom


    Apra MARC 2024

    Apra MARC is back again for a virtual Spring Conference the week of Monday, April 15th - Friday, April 19th! 

    As members of Apra, we know how important it is to share our knowledge, support each other, and build our resources and networks across the fundraising community.  This annual conference platforms experts to enhance knowledge sharing in our field across the Mid-Atlantic region. Attendees gain valuable skills and network with peers. Join us for a great week of virtual learning!

    Registration is limited to members of the five Mid-Atlantic chapters: Apra Pennsylvania, Apra Maryland, Apra Metro DC, Apra Virginia and Apra Carolinas.

    Session and speaker information is listed below. Your registration code is valid for each session of the conference!  

    To register using your code, please visit: Apra Maryland's Website

    PLEASE NOTE: Registration is limited to members of the five Mid-Atlantic chapters. Active members of Apra Carolinas should have received a registration code via email. If you would like to register and have not received a code, please send us an email at ApraCarolinas@gmail.com

    Sessions & Speakers:

    Session 1: Strengths for Individuals
    4/15 at 11AM EDT 
    Presented by: Apra Virginia
    Speaker: Leslee Gensinger

    Strengths for Individuals is a primer to understanding the basics of CliftonStrengths. Leslee will share information on how to take the assessment, how to read the results, and what to do to keep using and refining your Strengths. You do not have to have taken your CliftonStrengths assessment or have your results in hand to attend the session.

    Session attendees will be entered into a drawing for a FREE assessment code!

    Leslee Gensinger is a certified CliftonStrengths Coach and an accomplished organizational development (OD) and learning and development (L&D) manager with over 15 years of experience in creating and delivering impactful training programs for diverse organizations. She has experience developing team members, managers, and leaders at Virginia Credit Union and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). 

    She is passionate about supporting workplace culture and employee engagement through strengths-based coaching, communication, and collaboration. She helps individuals and teams discover and leverage their unique talents, foster an outward mindset, and achieve their goals. She is always eager to learn, grow, and share her expertise and enthusiasm with others. She believes that by investing in people's development, she can contribute to the success and satisfaction of the organizations and the customers they serve.

    Leslee has been married for 11 years to her wonderful husband, Chris. They have two cats who reign havoc on their household. Leslee is an avid runner, having completed 8 Richmond Marathons and 3 Disney Dopey Challenges! You can usually find her somewhere between downtown Richmond and the Fan district on Saturday mornings!

    Session 2: What Now? A Panel Discussion on Post-Campaign Life
    4/16 at 11AM EDT
    Presented by: Apra Pennsylvania
    Moderated by: Devon Kramer
    Speakers: Emily Kahn, Jodi McLaughlin and Lauren Woodring

    Join speakers from Apra PA to learn all about ending a campaign. There’s so much information out there on how to plan and conduct a fundraising campaign. But once they end, it can be a weird time of wrap-up and transition. Join three professionals who have been there to learn about what they did, what they learned, and what they recommend.


    Devon Kramer is a Prospect Research and Management Analyst with Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior, she held prospect development positions at both Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Lehigh University. She began her career in publishing as an editor with Prevention magazine, and earned a BA in professional writing and an MA in English from Kutztown University. Devon sits on the board of Apra Pennsylvania as Website and Communications Director.

    Emily Kahn is Executive Director, Prospect Management & Analytics (PMA) at Drexel University. The PMA team is responsible for powering frontline fundraiser success through a comprehensive program of portfolio reviews, prospect pool analyses, prospect research profiles, and proactive prospect identification. Prior to joining Drexel in 2015, Emily ran a one-person prospect research shop at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation. She holds a BA in mathematics from Hood College.

    After 20 years in nonprofit management, including 10 years at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Jodi McLaughlin, left fundraising to pursue her Masters in Public Health at Tulane University. Currently completing her degree, Jodi is presently consulting for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she is helping the Development division and the organization create data-focused systems to maximize its audience engagement and fundraising potential. She is also immersed in the local and regional food system of SW Pennsylvania, where she is a member of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Food Justice Fund Committee, and actively works with the community to create pathways for equitable food access. Jodi and her family also run West View Urban Farm, a volunteer-led initiative to improve food access in their community.

    Lauren Woodring is the Director of Prospect Research and Management at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Before joining the museum, her first fundraising position was at Ensemble Arts Philly (formerly the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.) She has a B.A. from Lebanon Valley College, a M.A. from LaSalle University, and a MLitt from the University of St Andrews. She is the President of Apra Pennsylvania and the Co-Chair of the AASP Best Practices in Prospect Development Committee.


    Session 3: Coffee Networking with Apra Maryland 
    4/17 at 9AM EDT
    Presented by: Apra Maryland

    Grab a cup of coffee and connect with peers from other Mid-Atlantic chapters! Attendees will have the option to join breakout rooms based on a variety of interest areas. We hope to see you there!


    Session 4: Data-Driven Fundraising: From Hopes & Dreams to Forecasting and YOY Growth 
    4/17 at 11AM EDT
    Presented by: Apra Metro DC
    Speaker: Sarah Wilber

    The Kennedy Center has long had a robust and successful fundraising operation, raising more than $70m annually across a diversified array of funding mechanisms. But analysis and strategic planning about how to emerge post-pandemic showed our weaknesses in prospect development and opportunities for revenue growth. In this session, you will learn how the Kennedy Center went from spreadsheet trackers and endless prospect review meetings to data-driven portfolio reviews and machine-learning in prospect identification, and how to chart your own journey to data-driven fundraising practices.

    Sarah Wilber 

    is the Vice President of Capital Campaigns and Strategic Planning at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She oversees three teams: Prospect Development, Intelligence, and Analytics; Strategic Planning and Capital Campaigns (inclusive of the Kennedy Center’s $250m endowment campaign), and Special Events (inclusive of all major annual fundraisers, such as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Kennedy Center Honors). Before moving into strategic planning and business development work, Sarah started her career at the Kennedy Center in the Institutional Giving team, managing the fundraising efforts for a variety of artistic and educational programs. Prior to joining the Kennedy Center staff, she worked in sales, special promotions, and client engagement effort at the University Musical Society (UMS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country. She also worked in both the Marketing and Guest Services departments at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Sarah received her degree in Performing Arts Management from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

    Session 5: Strategies for Amplifying Your Voice and Advocating for Your Team in Prospect Development
    4/18 at 10AM EDT
    Presented by: Apra Carolinas

    Speaker: Prisca Zaccaria

    In the dynamic field of Prospect Development, securing a seat at the table goes beyond mere presence; it requires making impactful contributions that drive your team's growth and success. This session is tailored for individuals feeling overshadowed in their roles, as well as leaders aiming to enhance their team's advancement and marketability. We will provide practical tips on how to effectively advocate for yourself and your team, becoming an influential voice in your industry.

    Join us for an engaging exploration into self-advocacy and team representation within Prospect Development. Whether you are an emerging professional striving to demonstrate your value, or a seasoned leader looking to cultivate a culture of recognition and professional growth, this presentation will arm you with the strategies needed to elevate your career and your team's position in the field.

    Discover actionable strategies to:

    • Showcase Your Value: Learn how to effectively communicate your contributions and the distinctive value you bring to your organization, ensuring your efforts are seen and appreciated.
    • Advocate for Resources: Master the skill of making compelling cases for the resources your team needs, from additional staff to essential tools that enhance productivity and success.
    • Onboard, Retain, and Promote Talent: Uncover techniques for highlighting and advocating for your team's talents, driving recognition, and opening opportunities for professional growth.
    • Utilize the Apra Advocacy Toolkit: Get hands-on with the Apra Advocacy Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to bolster your advocacy efforts, helping you articulate the critical role of Prospect Development professionals in achieving fundraising goals.

    Through practical tips and real-world examples, this presentation will empower you to step into a role of influence and advocacy, ensuring you and your team are not just participants, but key drivers of your organization's success.

    Prisca Zaccaria is a fundraising professional with more than 20 years of experience. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Prospect Development at the University of South Carolina.

    She has been an active member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Apra) since 2003 and has previously served on the board of Apra Georgia as Program Director and is currently the Education Chair for Apra Carolinas. Prisca is a frequent presenter on topics of prospect research, prospect development, and research information flow and impact for fundraising. She has been a speaker at Apra International, Apra Georgia, Apra Chapter Share the Knowledge, CASE, GEAC, and AACSB.

    As a leader to her team, Prisca is innovative, dynamic and creative. She combines comprehensive management experiences, streamlining processes, and communicating metrics, to motivate, train, guide and advance her team.

    Prior to joining the development community, Prisca worked as an interior designer in Europe and the US. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.

    • 04/25/2024
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Apra Carolinas Networking
    Post-MARC

    Join Apra Carolinas for a Post-MARC 2024 Conference Office Hours session where we will be having a group discussion on topics you bring to the table! Did you enjoy one of the sessions and want to discuss a new idea you have? Was there something you'd hoped would be covered and didn't? Let's have a conversation together!

    When: Thursday, April 25th
    9:00 - 10:00 AM EST

    Where: Zoom

    Cost: Free

Past events

03/15/2024 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat: Post-Webinar Recap
03/14/2024 Apra Carolinas Webinar: Empowering Major Gift Fundraisers: A Multi-Modal Training Approach
02/29/2024 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: February Office Hours
01/18/2024 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat: Meet the Board
12/14/2023 Apra Carolinas 2023 Winter Gathering Event
11/16/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: November Office Hours
10/19/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: October Office Hours Fall Conference Debrief!
10/06/2023 Apra Carolinas 2023 Fall Conference
10/05/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: 2023 Fall Conference Happy Hour!
09/14/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: September Office Hours
07/27/2023 Apra Carolinas Webinar: Working a Sphere of Influence List
06/23/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: June Office Hours
05/19/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: May Office Hours
04/26/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: Post MARC Happy Hour!
04/17/2023 Apra Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2023
03/16/2023 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: March Office Hours
03/08/2023 Webinar: Power BI Bootcamp
02/17/2023 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat: Meet the Board
01/20/2023 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
12/15/2022 Apra Carolinas Virtual Holiday Gathering
11/02/2022 2022 Virtual Fall Conference: Networking Session - Apra Carolinas Post Conference Coffee Chat
10/26/2022 2022 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 4 - Building a Data-Driven Grateful Patient Program
10/20/2022 2022 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 3 - How to Survive the Trauma of Being Short-Staffed
10/11/2022 2022 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 2 - Seeing Clearly Through Your Data Forest
10/05/2022 2022 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 1 - Tweaking Capacity Ratings: An Exploration of Ideas
09/13/2022 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: iWave
08/25/2022 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: Commiseration Station
08/17/2022 Webinar: How to Get Started Using Power BI for Visualization
07/27/2022 Apra: Prospect Development 2022 - Mid-Atlantic Happy Hour
07/20/2022 Webinar: How to Use Fundraising Intelligence to Fuel Your Entire Fundraising Strategy - with iWave
06/28/2022 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: DonorSearch
06/22/2022 Webinar: How to Use Fundraising Intelligence to Fuel Your Entire Fundraising Strategy - with iWave
05/23/2022 Apra Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2022
04/28/2022 Apra Carolinas Roundtable Discussion: Data Analytics
03/22/2022 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: Navigating Staff Turnover
03/15/2022 Mid-Atlantic Panel Discussion: Navigating Leadership Changes
02/16/2022 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat: Meet the Board
01/18/2022 Apra Carolinas Networking Event: Goal Reset
12/15/2021 Apra Carolinas Book Discussion - Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors are Revolutionizing Giving
11/19/2021 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat - Hosted by iWave
10/29/2021 2021 Virtual Fall Conference: Networking Session - Apra Carolinas Post Conference Coffee Chat
10/27/2021 2021 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 4 - Private Company Valuation: Putting Together the Puzzle of Private Wealth
10/20/2021 2021 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 3 - Using Excel for Data Visualization: Pivotal Tips for Prospect Development
10/13/2021 2021 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 2 - What We Learned from 2020: Major Gifts & AI
10/06/2021 2021 Virtual Fall Conference: Session 1 - Making Technology Work for You (and Your Fundraisers)
09/16/2021 Apra Carolinas Book Discussion - Dare to Lead
08/26/2021 Webinar: Designing Metrics and KPIs
08/20/2021 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
07/16/2021 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
07/08/2021 Workshop: Pivoting to a New Level
06/16/2021 Apra Carolinas Book Discussion - The Leader's Guide to Unconscious Bias
05/21/2021 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
05/13/2021 Webinar: Your Next Best Donor is Already in Your Database
04/20/2021 Post Conference Coffee Chat
04/12/2021 Apra Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2021
03/18/2021 Apra Carolinas Book Discussion - The Mental Toughness Handbook
03/03/2021 Webinar: Excel Wrestling 101
02/18/2021 Apra Carolinas Game Night
12/18/2020 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
11/20/2020 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
10/30/2020 Apra Carolinas - Post Conference Coffee Chat
10/28/2020 Fall Conference Session 4: What’s DEI Got To Do With It?
10/21/2020 Fall Conference Session 3: The True Final Frontier: Corporate and Foundation Research and Relationship Management
10/14/2020 Fall Conference Session 2: AI & Machine Learning: The Impact on Prospect Research
10/07/2020 Fall Conference Session 1: Leadership Annual Giving Panel
09/25/2020 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
08/28/2020 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
08/12/2020 Webinar: Tweet Tracking: Collect and visualize what people are saying about your organization
08/07/2020 Apra Carolinas Coffee Chat
07/16/2020 Apra Carolinas Virtual Happy Hour July 2020
06/19/2020 Apra Carolinas Coffee Break
05/27/2020 Apra Carolinas Virtual Happy Hour
04/29/2020 Webinar: Parent Research
04/24/2020 Webinar: Using H-1B Data to Determine Salaries
04/15/2020 Webinar: I Don’t Know What I Don’t Know: Improving Fundraiser Relations Through Needs Assessment
03/20/2020 CANCELED - Apra Carolinas Spring 2020 Conference
11/13/2019 Webinar: Let's Get Engaged! Creating an Engagement Score Using Excel
10/29/2019 Webinar: Who’s at the Top of Your List? How to Segment Your Donors and Find Your Hidden Gems
10/11/2019 Apra Carolinas 2019 Fall Conference
08/01/2019 Prospect Development 2019: Apra Carolinas Happy Hour
03/15/2019 Apra Carolinas 2019 Spring Conference
12/11/2018 Three ways to revolutionize prospect research and prospect management with Microsoft Excel
10/05/2018 Fall 2018 Conference at Clemson University
04/12/2018 Apra Carolinas Spring 2018 Conference
10/24/2017 “City Mouse, Country Mouse: Ownership, Value, and Trends from Park Avenue to Waggoner Ranch”
10/05/2017 Apra Carolinas Fall 2017 Conference
09/19/2017 Recorded Webinar: Philanthropic Game Changer: Strategies for Donor Advised Funds
06/20/2017 Philanthropic Game Changer: Strategies for Donor Advised Funds
03/23/2017 Apra Carolinas Webinar - To Keep or Release: That is the Question
03/13/2017 Apra Regional Conference (ARC) 2017
10/06/2016 Fall Conference 2016 @ NC State University
10/05/2016 Dinner in Raleigh on 10/5/2016
07/28/2016 APRA Carolinas in Nashville, TN!
03/04/2016 Spring Event
10/16/2015 Triad Happy Hour
09/22/2015 Fall 2015 Event
09/11/2015 Triangle Area Happy Hour
07/23/2015 APRA Carolinas in New Orleans!
06/25/2015 Happy Hour in Columbia, SC
04/16/2015 Big Data & Higher Education
03/19/2015 Prospecting for Hidden Treasure
02/09/2015 APRA's Education Week: Chapters Share Knowledge
10/14/2014 What Works: A Game Show of Successes in Our Field
07/31/2014 APRA Carolinas Social in Vegas

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For any questions or corrections, please reach out to ApraCarolinas@gmail.com
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