Prospect Research #Chatbytes

Fran Tucker, Prospect Research and Development Analyst at Belmont University, shares how relationship mapping helps fundraising teams uncover connections, strengthen CRM practices, and turn donor relationships into action. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Fran Tucker | LinkedIn Donor Atlas | AI Powered Prospect Research  

Kristina Joy Carlson shares how the KIND Method helps fundraisers and researchers turn data into decisions, strengthen teams, and deliver results. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Kristina Joy Carlson: LinkedIn Outrageous Kindness Book: Outrageous Kindness: A Mindset. A Method. A Movement. Giving USA  

What do you do when research uncovers something uncomfortable about a major donor? Evelyn Chen, Partner at Russell Philanthropies, shares how the Braver Leadership framework — clarity, candor, and courageous follow-through — helps organizations navigate the gray areas of philanthropic due diligence with integrity. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Evelyn Chen: Li...

Major gift coach, podcaster, and author Mary Petersen has spent 25 years in the field and she's seen what happens when fundraisers don't act on research, chase high-capacity but low-affinity prospects, and avoid making the first call. In this episode, she shares what the early discovery phase of major gift fundraising really looks like, and how researchers and development officers can work better...

Regina Alhassan didn't plan to end up in fundraising — but 30 years later, she's the CEO of ResearchPRO and a passionate advocate for the value prospect development professionals bring to the table. In this Career Curious episode, she opens up about the accidental beginning, the faith walk of entrepreneurship, and what she'd tell anyone thinking about going solo. Read More on the Learning Edge Blo...

Tricia Marsherall, founder of Donor Database Experts, has seen it all: nonprofits convinced their database is broken, teams without a shared definition of "major gift," and the costly mistake of switching systems to solve a strategy problem. In this episode, she shares what thriving fundraising operations actually look like — and the preventative care every nonprofit needs. Resources Mentioned Con...

Fundraising consultant Valerie Anastasio explains the K-shaped economy, why the ultra-wealthy require discipline rather than optimism from researchers, and how to focus on the 10% of high-net-worth prospects who actually align with your mission—instead of chasing every billionaire. Connect with Valerie Anastasio: LinkedIn Inside Philanthropy by David Callahan: insidephilanthropy.com The Wall Stree...

Amy Modin, Director of Research and Prospect Management at the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation, shares how she rebuilt a broken portfolio management system by meeting fundraisers where they are, building trust through humility, and showing up consistently—even when best practices don't fit. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Vered Siegel, CFRE, Director of Prospect Management and Research at American Friends of the Hebrew University, unpacks what it really means to be a strategic partner in the age of AI—and why judgment, not information, is now the scarcest resource in fundraising operations. Resources Mentioned Connect with Vered Siegel : LinkedIn | Website Don't Just Ask the Database Directly | Vered Siegel | White...

Major gift consultant Derry Deringer shares how prospect researchers can build fundraiser confidence through focused partnerships and why transparency with donors trumps perfection Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Derry Deringer |  Connect on LinkedIn | Website: Deringer Consulting

AI isn't just coming to prospect research—it's already here, and it's changing how organizations identify and understand their donors. Will Schrepferman shares why he developed DonorAtlas. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog DonorAtlas  | Solutions for Nonprofits Will Schrepferman |  Connect on LinkedIn CARA Webinar | The Prospect Research Live Challenge: Race, Vote, and Win Better Prospects with...

Diana Marquis, founder of DMgroup Consulting, reveals how to manage major gifts with limited resources—and why good prospect research is the secret weapon every development director needs. Read More in the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Diana: LinkedIn | DMgroup Consulting

Karen Cochran reveals why two-thirds of transformational gifts come from outside your donor base—and how research unlocks these relationships. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Connect with Karen: LinkedIn | Philanthropy Innovators Website Why Your Major Gifts Program is Falling Short—And How to Fix It | Karen Cochran 5 Ways to Develop Billion-Dollar Relationships | Karen Cochran at AFP ICON 202...

Co-founder of Veritus Group, Jeff Schreifels shares how to identify true major gift prospects, why two-thirds of donors don't want deeper relationships, and how mid-level programs unlock significant giving opportunities. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn Veritus Group | The consulting firm Jeff co-founded in 2009 that works with nonprofits globally...

Consultant Barbara Shelton shares how deep donor profiles and meaningful conversations transform campaigns. In this episode of ChatBytes, she reveals how researchers, consultants, and gift officers can slow down, ask better questions, and raise both their expectations—and their results. Read More in the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Barbara Shelton | LinkedIn Explore the Aspi...

Courtney Cutler debunks myths, shares the nuances of due diligence and delivers tips for getting started in your organization. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Working across many areas of higher education, Aisha Maddox shares how her genuine curiosity led her to a fulfilling career in prospect development. In this episode, she shares the power of asking questions, the impact of community through APRA, and the many hats she wears as Director of Research and Relationship Management at Rollins College. Resources Mentioned Connect with Aisha: LinkedIn Learn...

Bethany Morley, Director of Prospect Strategy and Research at West Chester University Foundation, combines frontline fundraising experience with genealogical expertise. She reveals how targeted portfolio adjustments yielded significant results, including a $1.5M planned gift. Connect with Bethany: LinkedIn Learn more: West Chester University Foundation  

Janet Weimar shares how the University of Iowa reimagined qualification and major gift portfolios for greater clarity and collaboration within the entire team. Connect with Janet: LinkedIn

Janna Lee shares top tips for keeping prospects engaged during staff turnover

For Carol Horner philanthropy is about more than making a donation, it's a lifestyle . Connect with Carol: LinkedIn | Spiral of Accountability book | Synchronicity Website Connect with Rotary: Rotary International | Rotary of Council Bluffs Noon | The Rotary Foundation  

Ruthie Giles explains the route from organized chaos to managed portfolios.

Devon Villa Gessert shares how she made the leap from doing to planning.  >> Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Raul Peralta, CEO and Founder of Kaleidoscope on making it easier to research financial filings. Additional Resources Connect with Raul Peralta: LinkedIn | Website Towards Data Science | https://towardsdatascience.com | Blog: "The world's leading publication for data science, AI, data analytics, data engineering and ML professionals." MarkTechPost Media | https://www.marktechpost.com Bindu Reddy o...

Learn how Sarah Cadbury brought value with automated insights Connect with Sarah Cadbury | LinkedIn | GGA Bio Prospect Development: Rethink How You Categorize Prospects  | Sarah Cadbury | Grenzebach Glier and Associates | 2023 Breaking up Is Hard to Do: When Your Organization and Industry Best Practices Grow Apart | Sarah Cadbury | Apra Connections | 2024 Read more