OPRN 2025 Annual Conference

Unmasking the Future:

Prospecting with Data and Strategy

Friday, April 25 

 Fawcett Center - The Ohio State University

Dear Petey: Advice for the Weary Researcher

Presenters:

• Mike Ormiston, Sr. Prospect Development Consultation, The Ohio State University
• Corbin Smith, Research Consultant, The Ohio State University

Session Description:

Mike Ormiston and Corbin Smith are here for you, dear reader. Using an advice column format, they will answer questions about common challenges in the world of Prospect Development. How much research is too much research? Should you honor a last-minute research request or is it time to take a stand? Is your colleague out to get you? Mike and Corbin share their unique brand of advice in a presentation that will have you writing back in no time.

Ethics

Presenter:

• Amber Ziegler, Charity Accreditation Specialist, BBB serving Southern OH, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana

Session Description:

Provides an overview of the BBB; defines Ethics and explains ethical approaches; and encourages group discussion

Making Assumptions and Breaking Assumptions: Identifying Planned Gift Donors

Presenter:

• Matt Borden, J.D., M.P.A, Adjunct Professor of Law, Executive Director and Team Lead, Planned Giving, University of Dayton

Session Description:

What are the assumptions that we make in qualifying donors as planned gift prospects and the data that we shrug off that may otherwise indicate a prime major or leadership giving prospect?

It Takes a Village…Expanding the Donor Pipeline through partnerships

Presenters:

• Sarah Luckey Sr. Associate Director, Research & Prospect Management, The Ohio State University
• Tracey Fox Senior Director of Data Analytics and Business Strategy, The Ohio State University

Session Description:

When the donor pipeline grows, the entire organization wins. Yet it often feels like our pipeline building efforts are disjointed. In this session, we will share Ohio State's innovative approach to a pipeline building partnership between Prospect Development and the Engagement Center. Over the last two years, our teams have collaborated to build a fundraiser referral program and - through leadership trust and support - grow it from a state of organic discovery into an intentional and evolving area of pipeline building, with over 350 prospects referred, 50% of these assigned to fundraiser portfolios, and a growing number of gifts secured. We will share the evolution of our partnership along with wins, setbacks, and ideas on how you could implement something similar at your own institution regardless of structure or size.

Transforming Your Prospect Development Shop from “Data Providers” to Data Strategists”

Presenter:

• Anna Sheehan, Sheehan Nonprofit Fundraising Consulting

Session Description:

In this session, we’ll discuss how to transform prospect research and prospect management functions and teams from “data providers” to “data strategists”. Prospect development professionals have so much more to offer than providing research profiles and DMS tracking of prospect data. They can advise on portfolio balance and optimization, identify new potential funding opportunities, offer insights into engagement and solicitation strategy, serve as partners to specific fundraising teams and projects, and align DMS prospect activity tracking and metrics reporting with the needs of fundraisers and senior leaders. From making the case to senior leadership to implementing new practices and policies, we’ll highlight some effective methods in accomplishing this transformation.

My Non-Profit is different than any Others

Presenter:

• John Zajc, Prospect Researcher, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Session Description:

How often have you been interviewed by a potential employer and been told that the organization is unique because of a, b, or c? And how often have you discovered that it really isn't the case? Let's face it -- there are all the very basic things that we all have in common and all need to do to be successful -- thank donors as quickly as possible, be donor-centric, develop relationships with your donors by reaching to listen to them, and that your CRM is only as good as your business rules and consistent practice of them. But what if you took a job with a non-profit hospice? This presentation aims to inform attendees of the uniqueness of hospice fundraising. Hopefully we can start a conversation where learning about the unique opportunities at a hospice can help your organization, and that your fresh eyes can see something new to help hospices. And it can go beyond hospices to other organizations whose new donors are honor/memorial gifts, such as a local animal welfare organization.

Panel Discussion

Details coming soon!