Ohio Prospect Research Network upcoming events

Columbus OPRN Fall Meet-Up (September 29, 2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Will you be in town for BBCON? Join your Central Ohio OPRN colleagues on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 5:00-6:30 at Barley’s Brewing Company in Columbus, Ohio for a happy hour networking event.

We’ll provide appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. All OPRN members and non-members welcome.

Please register by Tuesday, September 22, 2026:

Where:

Barley’s Brewing Company

467 North High Street

Columbus OH 43215

https://www.barleysbrewing.com/

Parking available for a fee at nearby parking garages and lots.

The Vine Street Garage located at 37 Vine Street Columbus, OH 43215 is the closest garage.

https://columbusconventions.com/park/parking-availability/

Northern Kentucky Gathering (October 15, 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Join us at Purrfect Day Cafe for an early evening gathering! OPRN will provide some snacks and non-meowcoholic beverages (menu here) between 4:30 and 6 pm. We will plan to go to the cat room at 6 pm. If you would like to join us in the cat room, please be sure to reserve your spot on the Purrfect Day Cafe website as soon as possible. There are 20 spots available and are NOT being held for OPRN.

A Purrfect Day Cat Lounge reservation includes: 50 minutes inside the cat room with their adoptable cats and kittens to play, cuddle, and sip. They typically have between 20 and 30 of the tri-state's most eligible felines in the cat lounge for you to interact with. You may purchase a drink (beer, wine, bourbon, tea, coffee, soda) to enjoy during your session. Cost is $15 purr person.

You can reserve your spot in the Cat Room here and select the "Covington Kitten Lounge Experience."
Be sure to select the correct day & time - October 15th at 6 pm

Webinar - Neurodiversity in Research: Designing Workflows for All Kinds of Thinkers (November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Prospect research is a cognitively demanding field—requiring focus, pattern recognition, and adaptability. These are often strengths of neurodivergent professionals, yet traditional workflows and expectations can unintentionally create barriers.

Led by a neurodivergent researcher with nearly two decades of nonprofit experience, this session explores how to design inclusive, flexible research environments where all kinds of thinkers can thrive. We’ll examine common challenges—like time blindness, sensory overload, and communication mismatches—and offer practical strategies for building workflows that support diverse cognitive styles.

Whether you identify as neurodivergent, manage a team, or want to foster a more inclusive research culture, this session offers tools, language, and a fresh perspective on what it means to do research well.

Presenter: Jessica May

Development Analyst at Mid-Ohio Foodbank

Jessica May, MPA (she/her), is a neurodivergent prospect researcher with 19 years of experience across the nonprofit sector, including foodbanking, small business resources, adult learning, and adaptive training design. She brings a unique blend of lived experience and professional expertise in workflow design, accessibility, and inclusive team culture.

Hot Chocolate Chat (December 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Year-End Hot Chocolate Networking Chat

Take a well-deserved hot chocolate break and connect with fellow prospect development professionals. Meet colleagues from a variety of organizations, exchange ideas, and share successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the year.

Feel free to wear your favorite festive sweater and join us for a fun and engaging conversation.

All are welcome!

Webinar - Keeping Your Ducks in a Row… and Your Geese, Too: Practical Prospect Management Strategies (January 20, 2027)

Wed, 20 Jan 2027 16:00:00 GMT

Keeping Your Ducks in a Row… and Your Geese, Too: Practical Prospect Management Strategies

Prospect management works best when it’s both structured and flexible. In this session, we’ll talk through practical approaches to managing prospect portfolios, proposal strategy, metrics, and data integrity—while acknowledging the realities and pressures faced by frontline fundraisers. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s clarity, alignment, and momentum. Attendees will leave with ideas they can apply immediately to keep prospects moving forward and teams working together more effectively.

Presenter: Elise Martin

Associate Director, Prospect Development at Miami University

Elise has over 10 years of experience in advancement fundraising and prospect management within higher education. She currently works in prospect management, where she partners closely with development officers to support portfolio strategy, proposal tracking, and metric reporting. Elise holds an MBA from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business and brings a practical, collaborative approach to prospect management—focused on helping teams stay organized, aligned, and effective.