Apra-IL upcoming events

Apra-IL Webinar: Prospecting Outside Major Metropolitan Areas (Thu, May 07, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Apra-IL Webinar: Prospecting Outside Major Metropolitan Areas

In Illinois, much of the state's wealth, activity, and fundraising community is understandably concentrated in and around Chicago — the United States' third-largest metro area and the largest in the Midwest. While Chicagoland's 9 million residents account for more than 65% of Illinois's population, that still leaves one-third of the state residing outside its major population center — a figure that includes many colleagues from our Apra-IL community. Even though most states' dominant cities might get most attention, how does prospecting differ once you exit the major the metros?

The Apra-IL Board is pleased to present this virtual panel discussion on "downstate" prospecting. Comprising the panel will be three Illinois-based prospect research professionals who reside and support institutions located outside the Chicago area. Discussion topics will include:

Determining what constitutes a major gift in smaller markets and metro areas...

Specific strategies for identifying and cultivating prospects in smaller markets, and how those strategies differ from major metros...

Working with and evaluating non-traditional wealth assets such as farm ownership when determining capacity...

...and more! Whether you are working for a non-metropolitan institution in Illinois (or in another state), or if you work for a city-based institution and frequently find yourself interfacing with prospects in rural areas, this panel webinar is for you!

Speaker Bios:

Tom Ackerman, University of Illinois Foundation (Urbana, IL): Tom Ackerman joined the University of Illinois Foundation in 2016 as a Prospect Development Analyst, doing prospect research and portfolio management work for various colleges and offices within the University of Illinois System. In 2020, Tom was promoted to manager in the Research and Portfolio Management team so now has a team of five dedicated PDAs that report up to him. Before joining UIF, Tom worked for Wolfram Research as a data curator for WolframAlpha. Tom has his master’s in library and information science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as a bachelor’s in history from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Tom volunteers his time with CUDO Plays, the local tabletop game design competition which has run in C-U for over 10 years (part of CUDO the Champaign-Urbana Design Organization). He also enjoys playing board games, of course, as well as riding his bike, and writing for Smile Politely-the local culture blog.

Adam Larck, OSF Healthcare Foundation (Peoria, IL): Adam Larck joined the OSF HealthCare Foundation in 2019 as a Prospect Researcher, where he built the program from the ground up and now serves as the Portfolio and Prospect Development Manager, guiding a function that has become integral to the Foundation’s success. Before joining OSF, he held communication roles at TrendSetters Ltd., Caterpillar Inc., and the TimesNewspapers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in management information systems from Eastern Illinois University. Outside of his professional role, Adam serves as School Board President for Pleasant Valley School District No. 62, actively supports Excel Christian Academy, and was recently named to the 40 Leaders Under Forty Class of 2025.

Kara Mehrkens, Illinois State University (Normal, IL): Kara Mehrkens currently serves as the Director of Prospect Research & Strategy and the Director of Gift & Records at Illinois State University. She also has experience as a prospect manager at Illinois Wesleyan University. Before entering a profession in advancement, Kara was an accountant and a junior high math teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Arizona as well as a bachelor’s degree in education from Illinois State University. Kara served as treasurer of Apra IL and currently volunteers at several agencies within her hometown.

Apra-IL Partner Webinar: Maximizing the Return on Information - How Data Powers Every Stage of Prospect Development & Fundraising Success (Tue, June 02, 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Apra-IL Partner Webinar: Maximizing the Return on Information - How Data Powers Every Stage of Prospect Development & Fundraising Success

In today's competitive philanthropic landscape, having access to data isn't enough; you need a strategy to turn that information into a tangible Return on Information. This webinar explores how prospect development teams can leverage high-fidelity data to accelerate every stage of the donor journey, from initial discovery to the final ask.

We will dive into how precision intelligence allows your team to validate existing research and dive deep into specific data points to uncover hidden donor gems. Participants will learn how to drive greater fundraising progress by identifying new prospects at all levels and optimizing portfolios to ensure gift officers are spending their time where it matters most. Beyond individual donor management, we'll discuss how to use these insights to secure new foundation proposals and execute bigger asks with total confidence.

Join us to discover how to achieve significant research time savings and build a data-driven vision that fuels long-term organizational expansion.

Speaker Bio

Daniel Basco, PhD — Senior Director, iWave & Data Intelligence: Dr. Daniel Basco is Kindsight's Senior Director for iWave and Data Intelligence, where he drives product innovation and oversees data science efforts, building new predictive models across Kindsight's product suite. Dan is a nationally recognized leader in strategic data intelligence and philanthropic analytics, with his entire career focused on helping mission-driven organizations use evidence-based insights to drive measurable growth. Dan most recently led analytics and benchmarking efforts at Huron GG+A (formerly Grenzebach Glier and Associates). He has worked with advancement organizations across the US, Canada, and the UK, spanning industries from arts and culture to higher education.

Apra-IL Partner Webinar: From Blank Page to Briefing - Live Prospect Research Featuring DonorAtlas (Tue, June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Apra-IL Partner Webinar: From Blank Page to Briefing - Live Prospect Research Featuring DonorAtlas

Will Schrepferman, co-founder and CEO of DonorAtlas, will walk through real prospect research scenarios that every team faces (last-minute briefings; capital campaign prospecting, relationship mapping, and more). And the best part? You choose exactly which scenarios to work through!

You'll see DonorAtlas, the first prospect research tool built from the ground up with AI, go from a blank search bar to cited, sourced dossiers in seconds. What you'll take away:

A realistic sense of what AI-native prospect research actually looks like
Concrete workflows you can try right away, whether or not you're a DonorAtlas customer
How to get time back for the analysis and judgment only researchers can do

Bring your hardest research questions, there will be time at the end to go through your own scenarios!

Speaker Bio

Will Schrepferman is the co-founder and CEO of DonorAtlas, the donor research platform built from the ground up with AI. Will raised his first dollar at age 13, studied government and data science at Harvard, and has spent his career helping mission-driven organizations find and connect with the people who can support them. Last year, DonorAtlas became the first donor research tool to release fully embedded relationship mapping, helping nonprofits see not just who can give, but who knows whom.

Apra-IL Webinar: The Value of Prospect Research - Upscaling Relevance, Standards, and Partnership in Your Work (Thu, July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Apra-IL Webinar: The Value of Prospect Research - Upscaling Relevance, Standards, and Partnership in Your Work

The purpose of this conversation is to create tangible takeaways on how to be a value add, create valuable relationships and work products. During this conversation, the moderator will set up four different scenarios for the panelists to provide strategic insights on. For example, relationship mapping to-dos – mapping influence and impact; due diligence; and upscaling deliverables such as pipeline creation.

Speaker Bios

Moderator - Joan Ogwumike, Prospect Research Consultant: Joan has extensive skills and experiences in prospect research, strategy and engagement, portfolio development, major and principal gift research, proactive research, and prospect research consultancy. Joan has held the role of prospect researcher at organizations focused on civic engagement, youth empowerment, higher education, and culture and humanities. Recent organizations include St. Benedict’s Prep School, the Obama Foundation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Mikva Challenge. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Journalism from Purdue University, Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and a certification in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute of Sustainable Philanthropy. Her passion for prospect research extends to writing for her creative outlet, A Researcher’s Diary, a blog focused on creatively and thoughtfully exploring all things prospect research and fundraising.

Panelist - Derry Deringer, Founder and Principal of Deringer Consulting: Derry Deringer is the founder and principal of Deringer Consulting, LLC, a practice specializing in major gifts and capital campaign fundraising for nonprofits. With more than 20 years in the field and over 100 clients served, Derry brings a practitioner's depth to every engagement, advising and coaching staff, board members, and fundraisers toward transformative results in revenue generation.

More than half of Deringer Consulting's clients work in the human services sector, reflecting Derry's commitment to strengthening organizations that serve communities with the greatest need. Derry's career spans business, nonprofit, and international organizations, offering a cross-sector perspective that is rare in the fundraising consulting world.

Certified in facilitation, coaching, and fundraising, Derry is a trusted voice in the nonprofit community and a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and advisor. Derry is based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Panelist - Jenn Grasso, Director of Advancement Research & Prospect Management at Bates College: Jenn Grasso brings over 13 years of experience to her role as the Director of Advancement Research & Prospect Management at Bates College

A veteran of the Apra and NEDRA communities, Jenn excels at driving strategies for leadership and frontline fundraisers to build meaningful relationships with top prospects.

As an embedded partner in philanthropy, she and her team focus on prospect identification and portfolio management to build a robust pipeline of high-capacity donors. Jenn is a proponent of data integrity and intelligence-based fundraising, leveraging research tools to uncover prospects' philanthropic motivations that impact the institution’s mission. Her career includes foundational roles at the Trust for Public Land and Bowdoin College. Beyond her professional work, Jenn is a dedicated community leader, serving on various town boards and for the Maine Women's Conference.

Apra-IL Webinar: Abductive Reasoning in Prospect Research - Critical Thinking and the Logic of the Best Guess (Wed, August 26, 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Apra-IL Webinar: Abductive Reasoning in Prospect Research - Critical Thinking and the Logic of the Best Guess

Abductive Reasoning is a form of Logic which Research and Non-profit Professionals utilize everyday. Distinct from both Deductive and Inductive Logic, Abductive Reasoning is also known as the Logic of the Maybe and involves forming Conclusions from the Information and Data that is known. It is also the ideal kind of logical reasoning for making new Discoveries. Through sharpening your Critical Thinking and Abductive Skills, you can bring a brand-new level of value to the conclusions and consultations you provide as a Prospect Research professional. Through easy to understand, yet fascinating examples, and a surprising amount of humor, this presentation gives you all the tools you need to energize, inform and re-think your approach to Prospect Research.

Speaker Bios:

Cayden Ferrin: Cayden currently serves as the Director of Prospect Research, Management and Data Analytics at the University of Wyoming Foundation in Laramie, Wyoming. In this role he leads all elements of the Prospect Development Department in supporting the UW Foundation’s fundraising mission in efforts related to Major, Planned, Principal and Leadership Annual Giving. He previously served as the Associate Director of the Department, and as Prospect Research Analyst for the UWF for over 4 years.

Cayden has served with the Apra-Rocky Mountains Chapter Board for nearly 6 years and

currently serves as the Vice President and Programs Directors for the Chapter.

Cayden earned both a Bachelor of Arts, and a Master of Arts in Political Science from

the University of Montana (UM) in 2016, and 2018, respectively. He thoroughly enjoys

opportunities for public speaking and connecting with peers in the Prospect

Development community.

Apra-IL Fall Symposium 2026 - Save the Date! (Fri, October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

2026 Apra-IL Fall Symposium - Save the Date!

Friday, October 2, 2026

Art Institute of Chicago, Nichols Trustee Suite

159 E. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603

Interested in presenting at our 2026 Symposium? Our 2026 Speaker Application is now open exclusively for Apra-IL members until Monday, June 1st, 2026. The application will then open up to non-members from June 1st until Friday, July 3rd. Got an idea you've been hoping to share with our community? We'd love to have you as part of our program!

Access the speaker application link here.