Ohio Prospect Research Network Established 1987 - Apra Ohio Chapter
Paula Calhoun, Director of Grants and Prospect Management, Malone University
What was your first job?
I worked as an Admissions Counselor right out of college. It was a fun, high energy job that provided a lot of great experiences. While working that job I got my MA in Arts Administration (non-profit management) which kind of paved the way for my future work in fundraising.
How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?
I was hired as an annual giving director and discovered I loved putting together pieces of a puzzle in regards to donors, connections, networking, etc. After a few years in annual giving I became the project person in our office. Now I handle some grant writing, prospect research and any other tasks that come my way. I love the variety – it keeps my job interesting since each day is a little different.
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
The Grand Canyon! Our family has taken some amazing trips to national parks (Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Grand Tetons, Acadia) so the Grand Canyon is next on my list to experience. I have two sons and at 11 and 14 they are the perfect ages to explore and hike so we’re trying to squeeze in as many adventures as we can before they grow up.
Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?
Personal chef, for sure – I love to eat but would much rather someone else do the cooking…and dishes.
What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career?
Don’t worry about climbing the corporate ladder. Go for substance and find something that you believe in and can contribute to – don’t worry about your title. At the end of the day you want to feel good about the work you did, not the title after your name.
Prspct-L: In the Room Where It Happened - The Helen Brown Group
What to Consider When Using Text in Data Visualizations - Datawrapper
What Happened to Giving Money to Charity? - Vox
Philanthropic Landscape 2022 - First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School
Anna Lennon, Associate Director, Prospect Development, University of Cincinnati Foundation
What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing it?
As a child, I wanted to be an elementary teacher. Clearly, I’m not in a classroom with little ones, but I do provide lots of database training for development officers, so I guess I can count that as teaching.
What was your first nonprofit job?
I worked at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on the stewardship and events team, supporting signature events, managing all gift in kind donations and working with grateful patient families. That experience led me to my current role at the UC Foundation in Prospect Development working with our development officers in the academic health and grateful patient space.
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
Greece! My husband and I got married in May 2019 and planned a delayed honeymoon to Greece for May 2020. As we all know, life changed drastically in 2020 and we haven’t been able to reschedule yet, so we’re anxiously awaiting exploring the Greek islands!
What song always gets you out on the dance floor?
Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
Would you rather have your dishes or clothes be magically clean?
Definitely my clothes! My husband is in charge of dishes in our house and I’m in charge of laundry, so I could have the best of both worlds if someone cleaned (and folded!) all our clothes.
Jenny Thacker, Manager of Prospect Research, Xavier University
My first job was working at a library helping out with cataloging. I ended up moving to shelving and front desk check out. I think librarians are the smartest people. If they don’t know an answer they certainly know how to find the answer.
Do you have any side hustles?
I have several. I am a pet sitter for many clients and their pets. I specialize in geriatric pets. I am currently sidelined since I fell and have/had 8 broken bones. I also volunteer at a cat shelter and help out doing TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release).
What’s your favorite thing about what you do or where you work?
I love a challenge. I have been doing Prospect Research for 30 years and what I love the most is everything is always changing. I remember having to do research by physically going to the library and using their resources to do reports. I love that I can combine my critical thinking skills with my love of gathering data and a little bit of intuition into raising funds that make a difference.
Since I just spent a ton of money to buy a ticket to go see Duran Duran in Columbus I am going to say any of their songs. I am such a product of 1980’s music.
What are you reading now?
I read a lot. I am in several mystery book clubs. But I am currently reading The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles and my book club book of Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews.
A Multi-level Makeover: Simplifying A Shrinkage Report - Storytelling With Data
Searching 2.0 - Starting and Stopping - The Helen Brown Group
Emma Saunders-Hastings: Philanthropy, Inequality & Democracy - Philanthropisms podcast
Workplace Wellbeing in a Post-Pandemic World - sgENGAGE podcast
Prospect Research with Open Data: Discovering OpenCorporates - Apra Connections
Prospect Management Metrics: Showing Our Value, Elevating Our Work - Apra Connections
Adding One Sentence to Every Email Can Free Up Hours, Says Wharton Psychologist Adam Grant - Inc.
Your Career Is Just One-Eighth of Your Life - The Atlantic
At a recent OPRN roundtable on Data Visualization, members recommended these resources:
"Baseball, Fundraising, and the 80/20 Rule: Studies in Data Mining" by Peter B. Wylie
Other books/resources
Classes
What resources have been helpful to you? Let us know in the comments.
Same Language, Different Accents? Communication is Key! - The Helen Brown Group
DAF Spotlight: Complex Assets - National Philanthropic Trust
Donor Advised Funds Resources - DAFinitive
Giving USA 2022 Donor Advised Funds - DonorSearch
Fun Flax and Kernels of Truth: An Overview of Farmland for the Prospect Researcher - Apra Connections
Charitable Giving Increased in 2021 Despite Uncertainty - Candid
How Kenyon Raise $25M Using Smart Segmentation and Event Prospecting - RAISE Blog
What is gaming, esports, and streaming fundraising? - Donor Growth podcast
Calendar in Tableau - Rativiz
What Does the ACE Act Mean for DAF Donors? - DAFinitive
The Surprising Impact of Meeting Free Days - MIT Sloan Management Review
Tim Bucher, Director Philanthropic Services Division, BWF
I have considered myself as a jack of all trades for most of my career which has its benefits. I would tell myself to own your jack of all trades moniker but carve out enough space to become an expert in a specific area.
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
Never bring your boss a dead possum without the shovel. OK, that may be a little morbid but it was memorable. BTW – he actually used “cat” but there are way too many cat lovers in the prospect research field, so I am taking the liberty to make that change. Apologies to possum lovers.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Leveraging your CRM to automate moves management and donor journeys.
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
What skill would you like to master?
Golf
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