The NEDRA Board of Directors had its monthly operations call on January 13. The topics discussed included the Heather Reisz Scholarship, the 2016 Helen Brown Group-NEDRA Conference Scholarship, the Ann Castle Award, plans for a twitter talk on February 19th during APRA's Chapters Share the Knowledge, as well as updates about the 2016 Annual Conference.

Read on for more information!

Sara White

Director of Advancement Services and Prospect Management

Bennington College

Bennington, Vermont

How did you get interested in prospect development and how did you enter the field?

My career in Development started eight years ago at Bennington College. My first role was as a gift processor and it became apparent pretty quickly when I started looking at the giving history of almost every donor that I was hooked on prospect research and fundraising! As inefficient as it may have been back then, my curiosity wouldn’t allow me not to dig deeper.

Can you describe your current office and your role?

I oversee Bennington’s Advancement Services team of five staff who are part of the Institutional Advancement Office comprised of 20+ staff. We have a stellar Prospect Research Analyst on the team who drives all the research for our department, the President’s Office, and the entire campus. The analyst also assists with prospect management and portfolio development.

How did you get involved with NEDRA and what has been your experience?

I became a member of NEDRA upon being promoted into a role overseeing Bennington’s prospect research efforts. I immediately signed up for a NEDRA conference and, like many professionals who are new to the field of prospect research, so much of the information shared at the sessions seemed completely foreign to me - and equally intriguing. I left with a wealth of knowledge that I was able to bring back to Bennington, where I started implementing best practices and changes to our prospect management systems.

How have things changed for you since you first entered prospect research?

My venture into prospect research really started as meddling; I was fortunate to have a progressive introduction into what the field was all about. My eyes were opened when I was tasked with building a new metrics and prospect management system. Today, these things seem like second nature. I think a lot of that has to do with being a systems-minded person and seeing how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

What gives you a feeling of success and/or excitement in your work?

I enjoy discovering new prospective donors who are not yet on Bennington’s radar. I could literally spend hours researching an individual on a “hunch” that there might be something there. Maybe they just gave $25, but they graduated in 1967 and this is their first gift. That to me is exciting - to think that there’s promise and potential if we can find the right approach. And, if that approach results in meaningful engagement that leads to, say, scholarship funding, a student’s entire educational experience can be transformed.

Any other thoughts?

Back when I was the sole gift processor in a very small shop I was encouraged to pursue my natural curiosity and inquisitiveness - and I will forever be thankful for that. The listservs and fellow professionals I found through NEDRA brought me up to speed and acted as my trainers. My journey into prospect research has expanded my views on philanthropy in general. I am amazed every time I see a prospective donor make a first gift or become a volunteer. The work we do is really satisfying. Development research rocks!

Everyone knows predictive analytics can complement prospect research with likelihood to give ratings, but it can also do so much more. Learn how to view predictive analytics as a diagnostic toolset that enables you to assess campaign readiness; inform portfolio, pipeline, and moves management; make data-driven decisions around resource allocation; enrich the data within your database; and realize opportunities for growth.

Click here to access a webcast recorded by GG+A's Connor Kasey called “The Value of Predictive Analytics."

Mark your calendars for the third annual Chapters Share the Knowledge (a.k.a. Education Week) taking place February 8-19, 2016.

Over the course of 10 days, several chapters join APRA International to host complimentary learning and networking activities for prospect development professionals in various formats. 

Don't miss NEDRA's contribution--a career management discussion via Twitter:

NEDRA Twitter Talk

Unlocking Your Full Potential: Professional Development for Prospect Development Professionals

11 am CST (12 noon EST)

Whether you’re looking for your next job, a promotion, or just want to make the most of your current position--come talk with us!

Check out the Chapters Share the Knowledge website on the APRA website for more information. Note that registration is required for some offerings. 

Looking for a chance to learn essential tips and meet peers at other institutions in New England and beyond? New to NEDRA or the prospect research, management, or analytics community? Been in the field for a while but concerned about the cost of attending the NEDRA Conference?

NEDRA invites you to apply for a scholarship! Thanks to generous donors, we are thrilled to provide the following scholarship opportunities for our premier educational and networking event, to be held April 14-15, 2016 at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth, NH.

Two types of scholarships are available to defray conference costs:

The Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarships for newer staff

With support from many donors, NEDRA has established the Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarships in honor of one of NEDRA's most active and beloved members, Heather Reisz, who passed away in May 2013.

Who is eligible? These scholarships, which will be awarded to two recipients, are intended for those who have been in prospect research (or a related field) for less than two years.

What is covered? The cost of registration and lodging for the 2016 Annual Conference and pre-conference Research Basics Bootcamp, as well as a one-year NEDRA membership. In addition, travel expenses will be reimbursed up to $300.

This scholarship is need-blind and applications are due by February 26, 2016.

To learn more about Heather and the Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarships, please visit Heather's memorial page on the NEDRA website.

The 2016 Helen Brown Group-NEDRA Conference Scholarship

Who is eligible? All NEDRA members are welcome to apply!

What is covered? Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, The Helen Brown Group, this scholarship now covers the cost of registration for the 2016 NEDRA Conference plus the cost of lodging, and reimbursement of travel expenses up to $300!

This scholarship is also need-blind. Applications, including a letter of recommendation, are due by February 26, 2016.

Please apply today for one of these great opportunities. Our organization would not continue to grow and thrive without the involvement and support of our members and we are happy to offer scholarships each year to help bring new participants to our conference and to see firsthand the value of NEDRA membership, programming, and active involvement! We look forward to hearing from you.

Questions? Please contact Mary Taddia at 207-221-4611 or mtaddia@une.edu for questions on the Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarship, or Laura Parshall at 617-253-6107 or laurabp@mit.edu for questions on the Annual Conference Scholarship. Thank you!

NEDRA is seeking recommendations for open positions on the board of directors. Both self-nominations or nominations of colleagues are welcome.

To recommend a colleague or yourself as a board candidate, visit the Call for Board Nominations site and complete the official form. Before submitting a nomination, NEDRA encourages you to discuss with your candidate their interest and ability to potentially serve on the board.

NEDRA board members serve a two-year term beginning in July. The board meets several times per year in person and monthly by phone; in addition, board members attend selected NEDRA programs and the annual conference. The board consists of at least 12 directors who rotate responsibilities to:

• Perform executive leadership and governance duties
  
• Organize programs, boot camps, and the annual conference
  
• Produce, edit, and distribute NEDRA News
  
• Maintain the NEDRA website
  
• Design and author marketing materials
  
• Secure sponsors for conference and other programming opportunities
  
• Grow and diversify membership
  
• Collaborate with management association staff
  
• Develop other member services, and manage volunteer committees
  
• Investigate and implement social media and other cutting edge tools to engage members throughout all of New England and provide meaningful content through online or other virtual means
  
• Be passionate advocates for the profession.
  

Board nominee criteria includes:

• Experienced in prospect research, management, analytics, or related industries
  
• Active NEDRA membership
  
• Prior volunteer involvement with NEDRA (e.g. committee member, contributor to NEDRA News, conference presenter, program or RING host, etc.)
  
• Interested in helping others advance in the profession as demonstrated by leadership within the workplace and/or among professionals in the field
  
• Other relevant volunteer experience
  
• Would contribute to the diversity of perspectives on the board (e.g. geographic/institution type/institution size)
  

Upon receipt of a nomination, a member of the Nominating Committee will contact the individual to verify her/his interest in serving on the board and to answer any questions. The nominee will be asked to submit a resume and be interviewed by telephone.

Don’t delay: Nomination Forms must be received by Friday, February 12, 2016.

Questions about the nominating process or duties/time commitment of a board member can be directed to Suzy Campos, chair of the Nominating Committee, at scampos@amherst.edu or 413-542-8263.

The new year seems like a "proper time to look inward, and be reflective" to quote this article from 2009 entitled "Taking the Pulse on your Research Operation: How to Perform a Departmental Survey." 

Julie Macksoud (now at Choate Rosemary Hall) details for us how her nearly-post-campaign office at Colby College surveyed their development department, which resulted in great insight and highlighted the work of their research office. 

Taking the Pulse Research Operation_Winter2009.pdf

In this season of gratitude, the New England Development Research Association is thankful to our members, volunteers and sponsors for your commitment to NEDRA and the nonprofit fundraising community. We accomplish so much good together!

The NEDRA Board of Directors had its monthly operations call on November 4th. The topics discussed included the Heather Reisz Scholarship, the Conference Scholarship, the Ann Castle Award, plans for the 12/10 VINO ("Very Informal Networking Opportunity," as well as updates about the 2016 Annual Conference including the keynote speaker and other educational session speakers.

Read on for more information!

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