2025-09-12 Apra-IL Fall Symposium Presentation - Portfolios in Different Area Codes: Building a Location-Focused Approach to Assessing Capacity from Real Estate

Apra-IL 2025 Fall Symposium Presentation - Portfolios in Different Area Codes: Building a Location-Focused Approach to Assessing Capacity from Real Estate A $1M property may be a lavish mansion in one location and a tiny shoebox apartment in another, with each owner likely feeling very different about their personal level of wealth. In the current era of housing bubbles and rising prices, using the same approach to assessing capacity from real estate value for both owners presents several pitfalls. This presentation will articulate why an organization should factor differences in location, specifically local or regional real estate markets, into how they assess capacity from real estate value. It will use the University of Chicago’s current efforts to evaluate and update our methodology as an example, including detailing the impetus and rationale for the review, the University's approach, and preliminary outcomes. Finally, it will present suggestions for how organizations can evaluate their current methodology through this lens, as well as highlight datasets and metrics that organizations of all sizes and resource levels can use to structure a location-focused approach. Speaker Bio: Lee May has nearly a decade of experience across a variety of roles and functions within the fundraising industry, including prospect development, frontline fundraising, direct mail, membership programs, events, and corporate relations. He is currently an Associate Director, Research with University of Chicago Advancement, where he leads a team providing prospect development support, insights, and analysis to the University’s academic divisions, professional schools, and arts and culture units. Lee was previously a Senior Analyst on the team, working directly with the arts and culture units.