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 Paper | 2026
• What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets by Michael J. Sandel
• Moralizing Technology: Understanding and Designing the Morality of Things by Peter-Paul Verbeek
• The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir
• Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP)

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Major gift consultant Derry Deringer shares how prospect researchers can build fundraiser confidence through focused partnerships and why transparency with donors trumps perfection

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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.

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• DonorAtlas | Solutions for Nonprofits
• Will Schrepferman | Connect on LinkedIn
• CARA Webinar | The Prospect Research Live Challenge: Race, Vote, and Win Better Prospects with AI | 1-2pm ET | Registration

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.

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• 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.

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• 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 2025 | Available for purchase at AFP online

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.

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• Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn
• Veritus Group | The consulting firm Jeff co-founded in 2009 that works with nonprofits globally to create, build, and manage mid and major gift programs.
• Veritus Group Academy – An online training center launched in 2016 for fundraisers worldwide to develop skills in mid and major gifts.

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.

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• Connect with Barbara Shelton | LinkedIn
• Explore the Aspire Research Group
• Learn more about M.Gale

Courtney Cutler debunks myths, shares the nuances of due diligence and delivers tips for getting started in your organization.

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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.

• Connect with Aisha: LinkedIn
• Learn more: Rollins College Advancement
• Join the Village: APRA Florida | APRA International

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