APRA CAROLINAS 2024 FALL CONFERENCE

***A portion of registration proceeds from this event will be donated to local organizations assisting those affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas region.*** 

Please join us for our 2024 Fall Conference at Clemson University in Clemson, SC on October 24th & 25th, 2024! We'll be hosting a conference Happy Hour and networking session on the evening of the 24th at Sole on the Green Restaurant & Joe's Place Bar and then spending the day together on the 25th for a day full of engaging sessions! A tour of the South Carolina Botanical Garden will be available on the 24th, as well. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Registration Rates:

Regular Member Registration: $70
Regular Non-Member Registration: $90

Hotel Information:

A hotel room block has been reserved at The James F. Martin Inn at the Clemson University Conference Center. Please call the hotel at: (864) 654-9020 to make your reservation and refer to the reservation code to receive the conference rate: CCI-GF25571

Sessions & Speakers:

It's About Meaningful Interactions, Not Moves Management

When we study the evolution of philanthropic partnerships, we don't see a series of mythic moves managed by masterful fundraisers but a series of meaningful interactions that lead to mutuality of purpose. Jim Langley will share the true anatomy of lasting partnerships by defining the difference between meaningful interactions and traditional gift-seeking practices that begin with understanding and building the elements of insightful donor biographies.

Jim Langley, President of Langley Innovations, has pioneered a number of practices that have been emulated by hundreds of institutions of higher learning. The knowledge he acquired from conceiving and conducting three path-breaking campaigns at three major institutions and the insight he gleaned from decades of research on donor behavior has been shared in five books, dozens of articles, hundreds of blog posts and scores of seminars, workshops and speeches. As a result, his expertise and insight, particularly on how institutions can adapt best to changing and unchanging philanthropic realities, is highly sought after by Canadian and U.S. institutions and professional advancement organizations. Langley graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati where he was also selected to Phi Beta Kappa. He also received a master’s degree in history from the University of Cincinnati where he was awarded the prestigious Taft Fellowship. He is a Vietnam era veteran of the U.S. Army.

Is AI Really Useful in Prospect Research?

In this session, we overview five techniques using AI for identifying new prospects and easing the repetitive task in our work with Marianne Pelletier!

Marianne Pelletier has over 30 years' experience in fundraising, with the majority in prospect research and prospecting. She is one of the first adopters of donor modeling and data mining techniques. Her professional experience includes prospect research, both as a research analyst for Harvard and Lesley Universities and as a department director for Carnegie Mellon University and Cornell University. Pelletier's multi-decade career also includes running an annual giving program with average increased revenues of 27% per year; and providing software consulting through the Datatel Corporation, teaching clients both how to use their new software and assisting them with better analysis and more efficient processing. She led the analytics division of the Helen Brown Group for over 10 years, and remains an associate. A recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the New England Development Research Association and a Woman of the Year designation by the National Association of Professional Women, Pelletier has served as a volunteer for both election campaigns and social service agencies. She has served on the boards of the New England Development Research Association, the Upstate New York chapter of Apra, and ending as secretary for the Apra International board. A prolific writer, she has published books and articles on management, prospect research, fundraising, and personal growth on a range of platforms. Pelletier is a graduate of Rockford University, and earned her MBA at Southern New Hampshire University.

Navigating Your AI Transformation

In this session, we'll review the state of AI in our sector, the goal of Responsible AI, and discuss ways to begin using AI and Analytics for enhanced prospect research.

Cecelia Poplin is the Senior Vice President of Client Success and Strategic Partnerships and has been with DonorSearch for four years. During her 20+ years in the nonprofit industry, spanning Blackbaud, WealthEngine, and now DonorSearch, she has seen technology rapidly advance and the accessibility of that tech spread to more organizations. Cecelia has collaborated with nonprofits, higher education, and healthcare organizations to improve processes and achieve goals. From wealth screenings, prospect research and management, to analytics, CRMS, and AI, she is proud to be part of the continual evolution of relevant solutions for our sector. Focusing on mid-to-large sized organizations, she has successfully helped nonprofits across the country surpass operational and revenue goals.

Cecelia’s favorite thing about working for DonorSearch is our culture of innovation and agility. She believes that all of our core values at DonorSearch work together to ensure success. To stay above industry trends, Cecelia is always reading, researching, and listening. While working with clients, she has the opportunity to listen to their needs, goals, and strategies that they’re implementing.

Favorite nonprofit: Charleston Southern University because it is her alma mater. She believes that the fundraising they do is critical because the students there are mostly on scholarship.

Favorite quote: “There’s a reason your windshield is bigger than your rearview mirror. Where you’re headed is more important than what you left behind."

Mini-Sessions:

Designing Effective Remote Onboarding: Strategies for Success in Prospect Development

Katalina Williams & Kayla Ly
University of South Carolina

As the prospect development industry increasingly embraces remote work, the need for well-designed onboarding programs and training processes becomes paramount. This mini session highlights the strategies and considerations involved in creating an impactful onboarding experience for remote teams. From leveraging technology to fostering a sense of community, attendees will gain insights into crafting comprehensive training programs that empower remote employees to thrive. Practical examples like onboarding schedule, team handbook and training guide will illustrate best practices for designing scalable and engaging onboarding processes that enhance productivity and integration. Whether you're new to remote work environments or looking to optimize your current processes, this 20-minute interactive session will suggest the tools and strategies to build effective onboarding frameworks tailored for remote team success.

Accelerating Prospect Development: Crafting a Custom AI Chatbot Demonstration

Chris Copsey
UNC Health Foundation

Are you tired of hearing about AI this and Machine Learning that, and want to get your hands dirty with a possible solution that can help your fundraising shop AND move your office to the cutting edge of the AI bandwagon? Then look no further than the world of Large Language Models, or LLMs.

Are Development Officers complaining about a lengthy research document? Have an LLM summarize it in a few paragraphs! Having trouble writing an annual letter appeal? Have an LLM write a letter in the “voice” of your Dean! Does the thought of receiving the same Prospect Management question over and over again make you break out into hives? Create an LLM Chatbot that can help answer these questions instead!