Ohio Prospect Research Network Established 1987 - Apra Ohio Chapter
Tammy L. Davis, Development Research and Stewardship, Capital University
What was your first job?
I was a volunteer at a hospital and then became a hostess/front end register operator at Sister’s Chicken & Biscuits (if any of you remember that restaurant J). Following graduation from college, I accepted a position to manage a Pathology billing office and was there for about ten years.
How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research?
I began my career as an administrative assistant for Annual Giving after moving to Columbus. This position transitioned into splitting my role and assisting our director for Corporate and Foundation Relations. My love and connections with our alumni and the business world moved me into my current role as assistant director for Development Research and Prospect Management.
Where’s the next place on your bucket list?
Within the U.S., I would love to travel up the east coast to Maine, or explore the west coast Washington State or Alaska. I visited California and Hawaii a few years ago (pre-pandemic) and wouldn’t mind revisiting again. Anywhere overseas would be exciting…..Iceland, Italy, Greece, Scotland, France, etc.
What skill would you like to master?
I have always wanted to learn to fly a plane or become a pilot.
Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?
Absolutely, YES!! I have a Hawaiian pizza quite frequently. J
Erin Weaver, Assistant Director, Data Quality, Prospect Development, University of Cincinnati Foundation
Working on the grounds of a golf course; being hit by rogue golf balls or getting struck by lightning were daily dangers!
What piece of advice would you give to yourself at the beginning of your career?
When interviewers ask, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Really think it through; 5 years can go by very quickly
What do you listen to on your commute?
First half: Pete the Cat & Toy Story
Second half: True crime podcasts
Do you think iced coffee should only be consumed in the summer or all year round?
I will drink hot coffee in 95-degree weather
What is your favorite dessert?
Cheesecake
Nancy Sowders, Prospect Research Analyst, Kenyon College
I worked summers during college at Star Island Conference Center, which is located on an island 7 miles off the coast of NH and Maine. Around 90 college kids staff the hotel and other buildings with jobs ranging from housekeeping to carpentry workers. Each week staffers entertain the conferees with a talent show.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do or where you work?
I like discovering and bringing information to our development officers that help them make a connection with a possible donor or volunteer. It's a whole team effort and it's great to know I had an important part when the team gets a WIN!
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Budgeting and saving money by running your home like a business. We are so busy these days that we forget to take the time to plan a household budget – and stick to it! If we implement routine maintenance for our homes (appliances, HVAC, roof, etc.) and our vehicles we're not constantly playing $$ defense when a disaster hits. So many people don't save or save enough, for retirement, too. We need to bring the goal-setting tools, tips, and tricks we use to streamline our work lives into our home lives. (Hmmm, apparently I could go on and on and on.)
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
I want to visit all the lighthouses on the eastern seaboard. I plan to climb to the top of the lighthouse observation decks in as many as possible. I climbed the 219 steps of the St. Augustine lighthouse last year – whew! America's early maritime history is found in the stories of our many lighthouses. And, well, they're all by the ocean – who doesn't love that?!
Elon Musk and 9 Others Who Gave Away $15 Billion in Just One Year - Barron's
Americans Gave a Near-Record $485 billion to Charity in 2021, Despite Surging Inflation Rates - The Conversation
Prospect Identification as a Tipping Point to Hire for Research - Apra Connections
How to Get Your Nonprofit on MacKenzie Scott's Radar: A Love Letter - Graham-Pelton
Have You Received Charitable Donations From Russian Oligarchs? - LAPA Fundraising
Doing Good Index 2022 - Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society
One Privacy Law to Rule them All? - Vorys
You Can Go Home Again - The Epic Journey of Krista Slade - DonorSearch Masterminds podcast
Companies Are Fibbing About Their Charitable Giving, Study Finds - devex
Steve Blankenship, Donor Research and Database Manager, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
For a Bookkeeping Service company that handled small businesses and partnerships.
Landed a computer programming position at the U.C. Foundation.
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
Always arrive early.
Only if it is included with Banana Peppers, Ham and Bacon.
What’s always in your refrigerator or freezer at home?
Bottles of water.
Cheryll McCarty, Prospect Management Analyst, Cleveland State University
What was your first nonprofit job?
Cleveland Metropark Zoo- Event planner
I have always been a fundraiser at heart. Every organization, whether it was for personal or work related, I was the first one to spear-head any fundraising needs of the organization. But my true passion is prospect research- I just love the prep work and strategy that goes into preparing a prospect for an ask by one of our professional fundraisers.
What’s a random fact you recently learned?
That Cleveland, OH has the same amount of rainfall as Seattle, WA: 38 inches of rainfall per year.
Favorite guilty pleasure?
Scrolling on Tik-Tok
How to Plan an Event
Learn to play the cello (and to read music)
Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?
Grateful Dead
Finland- b/c my great grandmother was from there and I want to see the town she was born in.
How to Appear in More LinkedIn Searches - Job Hunt
Fundraising Statistics Every Nonprofit Should Know - iWave
Think Locally, Act Locally - The Agitator
Hybrid Competence is the Newest Soft Skill With an Outsize Impact on Your Career. Here's How You Can Work It Into Your Resume - Business Insider
Rodney Kirsch, GG&A - RAISE Podcast
Kim Rodstrom, Executive Director, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development, Kent State University
Honestly….a bit by accident. I worked in a marketing department for the first three years out of college and had the desire to work for my alma mater. Reaching out, I was connected with the VP of Advancement and my career in advancement was born, have worked in both prospect research and as a fundraiser.
When/where was your first Apra conference?
I have been in higher ed fundraising for 20 years in various capacities. However, I started in prospect research and learned so much from the professionals in the industry through APRA in the early 2000s. It was right around then that I attended my first conference.
How many hours do you get to the airport before a flight?
I suppose it depends on the airport but typically about 90 minutes early.
Chocolate… in most any form but preferably in the form of multi-layer chocolate cake.
Would you rather have a personal chef, personal housekeeper, or personal chauffeur?
Personal housekeeper….I am a mom to teenagers…any help I can get would be great!
Uncommon Connections: A Preview of Thom Singer's PD Keynote Presentation - Apra Connections
Water Cooler Chat Replay: How to Analyze IRS Data - The Staupell Group
Releasing the Potential of Philanthropic Collaborations - The Bridgespan Group
R Basics - Everything You Need to Know to Get Started with R - Towards Data Science
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