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.
