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Kristina Joy Carlson shares how the KIND Method helps fundraisers and researchers turn data into decisions, strengthen teams, and deliver results. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Kristina Joy Carlson: LinkedIn Outrageous Kindness Book: Outrageous Kindness: A Mindset. A Method. A Movement. Giving USA

What do you do when research uncovers something uncomfortable about a major donor? Evelyn Chen, Partner at Russell Philanthropies, shares how the Braver Leadership framework — clarity, candor, and courageous follow-through — helps organizations navigate the gray areas of philanthropic due diligence with integrity. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Evelyn Chen: LinkedIn Russell Philanthropies: Enews Subscribe Getting Started and Getting Serious about Due Diligence with Courtney Cutler Workshop | Due Diligence: Practice to Policy?

Major gift coach, podcaster, and author Mary Petersen has spent 25 years in the field and she's seen what happens when fundraisers don't act on research, chase high-capacity but low-affinity prospects, and avoid making the first call. In this episode, she shares what the early discovery phase of major gift fundraising really looks like, and how researchers and development officers can work better together. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Mary Petersen: LinkedIn | Website Book: What to Say: 12 Major Gift Asks to Get a YES Course: How to Have a Donor Meeting Small Group Coaching Program: Momentum Hey Fundraiser! Podcast

Regina Alhassan didn't plan to end up in fundraising — but 30 years later, she's the CEO of ResearchPRO and a passionate advocate for the value prospect development professionals bring to the table. In this Career Curious episode, she opens up about the accidental beginning, the faith walk of entrepreneurship, and what she'd tell anyone thinking about going solo. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned Connect with Regina on LinkedIn ResearchPro

Tricia Marsherall, founder of Donor Database Experts, has seen it all: nonprofits convinced their database is broken, teams without a shared definition of "major gift," and the costly mistake of switching systems to solve a strategy problem. In this episode, she shares what thriving fundraising operations actually look like — and the preventative care every nonprofit needs. Resources Mentioned Connect with Tricia on LinkedIn Donor Database Experts | Knowledge Hub Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't | Jim Collins Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Fundraising consultant Valerie Anastasio explains the K-shaped economy, why the ultra-wealthy require discipline rather than optimism from researchers, and how to focus on the 10% of high-net-worth prospects who actually align with your mission—instead of chasing every billionaire. Connect with Valerie Anastasio: LinkedIn Inside Philanthropy by David Callahan: insidephilanthropy.com The Wall Street Journal: wsj.com Bloomberg: bloomberg.com Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Amy Modin, Director of Research and Prospect Management at the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation, shares how she rebuilt a broken portfolio management system by meeting fundraisers where they are, building trust through humility, and showing up consistently—even when best practices don't fit. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

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) Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

Major gift consultant Derry Deringer shares how prospect researchers can build fundraiser confidence through focused partnerships and why transparency with donors trumps perfection Read More on the Learning Edge Blog 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. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog 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

Karen Cochran reveals why two-thirds of transformational gifts come from outside your donor base—and how research unlocks these relationships. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog 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. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned 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. Read More in the Learning Edge Blog Resources Mentioned 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. Read More on the Learning Edge Blog

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