A Research’s Diary provides creatively and thoughtfully written content on prospect research, and fundraising.
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Dear Diary, I am thrilled to return to this delicious series for foodies, where we enjoy something hearty from time to time. Today, we will make a salad that includes several ingredients with one required color: everything must be green. Ingredients in your salad could look like mine and include broccoli, lettuce, green beans, spinach, green spring onions, and kale. I love to include a bag of…
Dear Diary, Have you ever wondered if we’re truly listening to our prospects? Have you ever wondered if there are indicators that we’re ignoring? For example, indications of giving potential, inclination to give, wealth events, personal events, personal and professional interests, and more, that all motivate interests and paint a holistic picture of who our prospect is, in real time. Let’s discuss…
Dear Diary, My story times are thrilling. If you missed the one I shared in May 2020, here is A Prospect with a Limited Digital Footprint for your reading pleasure. Today, I want to tell you a story involving portfolio development. I believe many of you will relate to it, the dread, and lessons. --- Years ago, I had to create a portfolio for a new senior director of major gifts named Maxine.…
Dear Diary, If your board recently approved the new campaign budget and plan, and if the new campaign committee is scheduled to meet in a few weeks to kick off its engagement, then as the prospect researcher you need to create a plan and several projects that lend themselves to the campaign’s initiatives. First, let’s discuss fundraising campaigns for those early in their careers or still trying…
Dear Diary, As you know I thoroughly enjoy learning from others and learning from a prospect researcher in another country – well, that is a real treat. Celia Owusa is the Prospect Research and Insights Manager at Christian Aid, a global humanitarian aid organization headquartered in London. In this interview Celia shares the most important lessons, experiences and guidelines for any researcher…
Dear Diary, Today, I am honored to share a very special interview with you. To speak with a recent retiree from the prospect research industry is an absolute privilege. Learning from Theresa Clark has given me such a delight as she has sowed great wisdom into the words of this interview. --- Q: Theresa, can you share how and when you joined the prospect research industry? Theresa: I started in…
Dear Diary, I am thrilled to share that all Diary entries that provide recaps and reviews of Apra webinars will now be found in a new series called Need Professional Dev. This is a great opportunity to ensure that any reader who cannot attend a session can still review my notes. On January 27, at 12PM Central Time, Apra Illinois hosted a webinar by Caltech's Associate Director of Prospect…
Dear Diary, Happy New Year! I want to focus today’s entry on familiar types of prospects. How many of us have had prospects dwelling in the depths of the cultivation stage for over two or three years? We’ve held the meetings, but the fundraiser will not give up on them. We have created policies regarding Time in Stage, but the fundraiser still meets with the prospect and spends little time on…
Dear Diary, Here is another installment in one of my favorite series – Seasonal Poems . Today, I share with you a poem about the relatable struggle of verifying names, for example, when the prospect uses variations of their name or has the same name as several relatives. We know these moments all too well. Enjoy and Happy Holidays! --- Frederick Fred Rick Pardon me, let me trouble you for a moment…
Dear Diary, On November 4, 2025, I attended a professional development session led by the Jennifer Filla, President of Aspire Research Group, and CEO of Prospect Research Institute. The session was presented and hosted by the Apra Florida chapter. With an arsenal of experience in prospect research and fundraising strategies, Jennifer’s session focused on the dynamics of a family office, how they…
