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• Apra-MN Lunch & Learn - Data-Driven Pipeline Development: Collaboration Between Prospect Development & Advancement Systems

  • When
    12 Nov 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Google Meet link will be sent in confirmation email

  Register

  

  Data-Driven Pipeline Development: Collaboration Between Prospect Development & Advancement Systems

  This session will describe the joint efforts of the Prospect Development and Advancement Systems teams at the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) to create a more data-driven and automated approach to major gifts pipeline development. Presenters will outline the evolution from earlier approaches to a more efficient and transparent framework, sharing lessons learned and refinements made along the way.

  Topics include methods for systematizing pipeline elements such as prospect capacity, quality, and interests; dashboards that visualize, filter, and display the pipeline; and tools used to help prepare and deliver new prospects to fundraisers. The session will also highlight how these systems are used by the Prospect Development team, how they increase efficiency and effectiveness, and what has been learned from frontline fundraisers’ perspectives as end users.

  The session will conclude with key takeaways and Q&A, leaving participants with a practical framework for applying data-driven systems and automation to strengthen their own pipeline development work.

  Details:
  Wednesday November 12th 
  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Central

  Grace De Jong is the Assistant Director of Prospect Management at the University of St. Thomas. She started her work in fundraising as assistant to the chief advancement officer at St. Catherine University. She then moved into prospect research in the same division and eventually ended up in prospect management at St. Thomas. In her current role, Grace supports gift officers working to fundraise for many areas at St. Thomas. She enjoys the variety of duties her work entails, including figuring out ways to improve processes, helping gift officers meet/reach their goals, pulling and analyzing data, and of course much more! She has been lucky to serve on the Apra-MN board since January of 2024. 

  
  

  Joe Hennen is a Data Quality Analyst at the University of St. Thomas, where he manages data quality and data collection for University Advancement. Previously, he was a Prospect Research Analyst at St. Thomas, leading pipeline development, and a prospect researcher at Carleton College, where he supported prospect development and analytics during a $491M campaign. He also worked as a Development Specialist with a national K-12 educational venture and has experience as a grant writing and prospect development consultant, social program evaluator, and AmeriCorps VISTA. He earned his B.A. in philosophy from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and is pursuing a STEM MBA from St. Thomas. Joe served as Programming Co-Chair and Vice President of Apra Minnesota and is now a mentor. He has been a speaker for Apra International, Apra Data Science Now, and CASE conferences and webinars.

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• Apra-MN Lunch & Learn - Major Gifts, Smarter Research: The AI Advantage Explained

  • When
    19 Nov 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Google Meet link will be sent in confirmation email

  Register

  
  

  Major Gifts, Smarter Research: The AI Advantage Explained

  Please join us for this engaging session with one of Apra Minnesota's 2025 partners, DonorSearch!

  Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how development professionals approach major gift fundraising. This session unpacks the fundamentals of predictive and generative AI—what they are, how they work, and why they matter for prospect research today.

  Led by Cathy Allwine, this session explores how AI enhances accuracy, efficiency, and personalization in identifying and engaging major donors. Through real-world examples, participants will learn how AI can streamline research, uncover hidden prospects, and strengthen donor relationships.

  
  Attendees will leave with a grounded understanding of AI’s practical applications in advancement and a clearer vision for how to integrate these tools responsibly and effectively within their own fundraising strategies.

  Details:
  Wednesday November 19th
  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Central

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• Apra-MN Coffee Break @ Dogwood Coffee Co.

  • When
    04 Dec 2025
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    Dogwood Coffee Co. (E Lake St, Minneapolis location)

  Register

  
  

  Start your day with Apra-MN! We will be gathering at Dogwood Coffee Co. in Minneapolis (E Lake St location) bright and early for a little caffeine and a lot of great conversation with your fellow Apra-MN peers.

  This event is free and open to all. Please register so we know how many to expect.

  Location:

  Dogwood Coffee Co. 

  4021 E Lake St.

  Minneapolis, MN 55406

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• Apra-MN Lunch & Learn - Flying High: Piloting an Effective Prospecting & Qualification System

  • When
    21 Jan 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Google Meet link will be sent in confirmation email

  Register

  

  Flying High: Piloting an Effective Prospecting & Qualification System

  Successful discovery doesn’t take off by accident—it requires a well-orchestrated flight path. In this session, we’ll explore how prospect development professionals can build a system that surfaces the right leads at the right time, verifies their potential, and equips gift officers to qualify with confidence. Whether you're starting from scratch or fine-tuning existing processes, you'll leave with actionable strategies to strengthen each leg of the discovery journey.

  Details:
  Wednesday January 21st 
  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Central

  Catherine Flaatten, MPH, CFRE, is the associate vice president of prospect development at BWF, where she advises nonprofit clients on building and strengthening programs in prospect research, management, and analytics. Her consulting is grounded in past practitioner experience at The George Washington University, Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry, the National Psoriasis Foundation, and the BrightFocus Foundation.

  Catherine serves on Apra International’s Board of Directors,Education and Professional Development Committee, and Fundamentals Committee and has held numerous volunteer leadership roles with Apra International, Apra Metro DC, and aasp. She is a frequent presenter and author in the field, and her expertise has been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Her contributions aim to position prospect development as a strategic driver of fundraising success and strengthen the profession through knowledge-sharing and leadership.

  She earned both her BA in International Affairs and her MPH in Maternal and Child Health from The George Washington University.

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