Upcoming Events:

Join us for APRA-GNY's Fall Meet and Greet

Fall is here and that means the start of another great year. Please join us for our season kickoff, our annual Fall Meet and Greet.

We will be at the Broadway Lounge, 8th Floor of the Marriott on Times Sq.near the bar, around the long table.

We love these get togethers and this one will be one of the best. The event will be in the newly renovated Broadway Lounge at the Marriott Marquis New York, overlooking Times Square (entrance on 45th Street!). 

Broadway Lounge

Thursday, October 20, 2011, 6:30 PM

New York Marriott Marquis 8th floor

1535 Broadway, New York

We will provide wine, beer, and soda, plus appetizers, along with a cash bar for your pleasure. You will have a chance to meet the board and we will share your ideas for programs and our spring workshop.

To RSVP, follow this link (you may need to paste into your browser):

http://www.meetup.com/APRA-of-Greater-New-York/

Join us! We look forward to seeing you soon!!

Giving Institute Webinar: “International Rescue Committee's Freedom Fund: The Tale of the Ugly Duckling”

Date:  September 22, 2011

Time: 12 noon- 1pm
 

Presenters:
Janet Harris, Chief Development Officer, California Academy of Sciences
Hugh Dwyer, Senior Director of External Relations Information and Operations, International Rescue Committee
Poonam Prasad, Founder and President, Prasad Consulting and Research

Description:  Janet Harris teamed up with Poonam Prasad when she conducted a feasibility study for IRC's Freedom Fund in 1999. They recommended against mounting a campaign because the organization's humanitarian mission seemed too remote for most donors to embrace and its fundraising function was too immature. Nevertheless, a $60 million campaign was launched the following year with Janet leading it from the staff side.

Not only did the campaign have to overcome the predicted obstacles, it was also forced to cope with losses in volunteer and staff leadership, September 11, the dot.com bubble and the current economic downturn. The campaign wrapped in December 2008 with $110 million raised. Come learn how to maximize the value of leaders and donors with differing styles, and how strategic investments in technology, research and branding can help your organization triumph over adversity and lay a strong foundation for a brighter future.

The webinar will be broadcast live from the Foundation Center in New York City. Hugh Dwyer and Poonam Prasad will be available to answer questions in person from 1:00pm-1:45pm at this location.

Click here to learn more about the webinar

Course on Fundraising Research and Information Management
New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies
George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, New York, NY
 

Date: September 27 – October 25, 2011

Description: To help your organization flourish, you need to know how to identify, research, cultivate, and track donors. During this course you will learn how to use free and cost-effective research tools to evaluate a prospect's ability and inclination to give; and how to store, retrieve, and disseminate information. Topics such as donor confidentiality and other ethical and legal issues will also be covered. You will also learn about prospecting for new donors. Basic skills in internet and MS Word, and a command of written English required.

Click here to learn more about the course

Jon Thorsen on Increasing the Impact of Development Research

The Greater New York Chapter of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and the Foundation Center invite you to a free seminar, Increasing the Impact of Development Research, presented by Jon Thorsen, director of advancement services at The Nature Conservancy.

Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6 PM – 8 PM

Description: Development researchers consistently manage information, from discovery through analysis and application. But our work gains impact when we work closely with our colleagues across the development operation to provide the critical data that advances donor relationships, across each stage of the solicitation cycle and at all levels of the pipeline. We will discuss how to apply various research techniques, products and services – from data modeling to portfolio assessment and relationship management – to increase the impact of the work we do.

About Jon Thorsen: Jon Thorsen is director of advancement services at The Nature Conservancy, where he oversees the areas of Business Information & Analytics, Fundraising Systems, Prospect Development and Prospect Management. A former university librarian and instructor, he joined the development profession in 1987 and has led research and advancement services operations for such organizations as Princeton University and the American Red Cross. A former president of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, Thorsen received the association's Distinguished Service Award in 1999. He currently serves as a consultant to the board of directors of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals and chair of that organization's Best Practices committee.

Thorsen has given presentations on many facets of the development profession at conferences of AASP, APRA, ADRP, AFP, CASE and other organizations. His articles on the advancement services profession have appeared in numerous publications, and he has contributed to the books, Constituent Relationship Management: The New Little Black Book of Politics and People to People Fundraising: Social Networking and Web 2.0 for Charities. He also contributed forewords to anniversary editions of Taft Foundation Reporter and the Corporate Giving Directory. His column "Up to Speed" appears monthly at https://workingphilanthropy.com.

RSVP: If you would like to attend, please click here to reserve your spot.

Location:

The Foundation Center New York Library/Learning Center

79 Fifth Ave., 2nd floor New York, NY 10003

Lori Hood Lawson and David Lawson guest experts on new donor trends in prospecting.

Lori Hood Lawson and David Lawson will be guest experts answering questions on new donor trends in prospecting on Friday, February 18th 2011 from 10:00am-12:00pm at the APRA of Greater New York LinkedIn Group page. (You have to be a member to participate!).

Webinar: Researching Parents: Building A Program To Last

APRA-GNY is kicking off 2011 with a webcast of the Helen Brown Group's guide to establishing and strengthening parents programs as part of a higher education development strategy.

Presenter: Marlisa Simonson Director of Development Research Wesleyan University

Description: Student applicant pools are getting bigger and deeper every year and we need to find ways to research and engage parent prospects quickly and efficiently! Independent schools, colleges and universities can benefit greatly from a strategy that incorporates proactive identification techniques, timely cultivation opportunities, and strong cross-departmental relationships. In this session, Marlisa Simonson will share some of the hallmarks of strong, established programs and help guide you to strengthen your parent prospecting efforts.

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: Community Conference Center Community Resource Exchange 42 Broadway, 20th Floor New York, NY 10004

Btw: Rector and Morris Streets

Directions:

• Subway - Take the 4 or the 5 subway to the Wall Street stop and walk South two blocks on Broadway. Or, take the 2 or the 3 subway to the Wall Street stop, walk two blocks West on Wall Street to Broadway and then walk South two blocks to 42 Broadway. Or take the 1 or R subway to the Rector street station, and walk East 1 block to Broadway. Or, take the J or the M subway to the Wall Street stop, walk one block West on Wall Street to Broadway and then walk South one block to 42 Broadway.

• Bus - M1 or M6 to Broadway and Morris Street — Cross the street to 42 Broadway.

• Parking - There is limited free parking in the area because of the large tourist crowd and ongoing construction. During the work week, do not expect to find free parking on the streets. On weekends, you may be able to find a parking spot on Greenwich Street (2 blocks West of Broadway) or on Washington Street (3 blocks West of Broadway).

• The nearest parking garages are the Battery Parking Garage (a full block bordered by Washington Street on the West, Greenwich Street on the East, Rector Street on the North and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on the South) and Washington Parking Garage (on the Northeast corner of Washington Street and Rector Street).

Cost: Free for APRA-GNY members! Nonmembers charged $20. This fee can be applied towards your $50 membership ($75 for two years).

RSVP: If you would like to attend, please send an email to Deborah Greenberg @ drgreenberg@HADASSAH.org to reserve your spot.

Join/Renew: Why not become an APRA-GNY member now for only $50 ($75 for two years) and attend similar seminars and workshops throughout the year?

Simply send a check to APRA-GNY with your contact information to: Laraine Lippe | Treasurer, APRA-GNY 302 E. 88th St. Apt. 4G | New York, NY 10128

Save the Date--Mid-Atlantic Researchers Conference

Location: Pace University, New York City

Dates: Wednesday, June 15 – Friday, June 17, 2011

Co-Sponsoring APRA Chapters: Greater New York, Upstate New York, Pennsylvania (PREP/APRA), Virginia, Metro-DC, and Maryland.

APRA-GNY Holiday Meet & Greet: Thursday, December 16

Please join APRA-GNY for its annual holiday party on Thursday, December 16. Network with new and existing colleagues in prospect research, meet the new board, learn about upcoming programs, and be merry! There will be a cash bar.

This event is open to all APRA of Greater New York members.Members are also welcome to bring friends and colleagues.

Those interested in joining APRA of Greater NY are particularly encouraged to attend!

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010 6-8 PM

Location: Apple 17 Waverly Place (between Greene and Mercer) New York NY 10003

Bring your business cards for a chance to win a prize in our raffle. RSVP:

If you would like to attend, please send an email to Deborah Greenberg @ drgreenberg@HADASSAH.org to reserve your spot.

Zen and the Heart of Predictive Modeling: Homegrown Prpspect Anallytics at Your Fingertips

Speaker: David E. Robertson, Jr.
Date: November 18, 2010
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Check-in: 5:30 pm

Location:

The Foundation Center
New York Library/Learning Center
79 Fifth Ave., 2nd floor
New York, NY  10003

DESCRIPTION:

This program is presented in collaboration with the Foundation Center. 

For those interested in predictive modeling but confused with all the statistical jargon, this session will demonstrate how the beginner can start with a tool he or she already has on the desktop – MS Excel. We build upon our understanding and formulate single and multiple characteristic profiling tools leading to a true predictive model. The participant will come away with a better understanding of the predictive modeling process employing simple regression techniques.

A predictive model is one that can be built by using in-house databases of members, donors, patients, or alumni and MS Excel to profile for high potential donors. Our predictive models bring analytics and true science to the world of prospect research. Predictive models confirm characteristic validity leading to better and more accurate prospect identification.

About the Presenter
David E. Robertson, Jr. is Director of Operations Research at Syracuse University. He has been at SU for 8+ years. His area of expertise is in data mining with a strong focus on forecasting and predictive modeling. He continues to present statistical methods and modeling at APRA, CASE, MARC and NEDRA conferences throughout the US and Canada. David has a BS and MBA from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY where he teaches social statistics and business management strategy as an adjunct professor in the Business Department. He is currently a doctoral student in the Social Science Ph.D. Program within the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. His research examines the unrecognized and informal charitable contributions of the underrepresented; focusing on the philanthropic activities of disenfranchised or marginalized members of society. Currently his doctoral research investigates New York State Mexican migrant farmworkers and their charitable contributions within their temporary micro-communities as well as their charitable contributions offered to their ancestral homeland. He utilizes both qualitative and quantitative approaches as well as visual ethnography.

David is an avid photographer (ex-UPI photographer), flat water kayaker, and hiker. He has climbed most of the high peaks in the New York Adirondacks, New Hampshire, and Maine. When reading for pleasure he prefers the life of modern writers, their writings and lifestyles.

Registration

This program is offered free of charge, but registration in advance is required. No walk-ins, please. Space is limited. Please arrive on time, as we can’t guarantee seating once the program has begun.

RSVP: http://foundationcenter.org/newyork/training/apra_predmodeling.html

International Fundraising: Opportunities, Challenges, and Best Practices (Postponed)

Speaker: John Kelly, President of Brakeley 
Date: Monday, October 4th, 2010
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Location:  Community Conference Center 42 Broadway, 20th Floor | New York, NY 10004

Btw: Rector and Morris Streets

RSVP: 
If you would like to attend, please send an email to Deborah Greenberg @ drgreenberg@HADASSAH.org to reserve your spot.

COST:

Free for APRA-GNY members! Nonmembers charged $20. This fee can be applied towards your $50 membership ($75 for two years).

DESCRIPTION:
John Kelly is President of the UK-based international fundraising firm Brakeley Ltd - the international heir to the 90 year old American Brakeley tradition. He has spent the last 20 years taking American methodology and adapting and introducing it to non profits in over 30 countries. He will share his experiences particularly in those aspects of his work which are close to the hearts of prospect researchers, i.e. finding, researching and qualifying donors in countries where the tools and the information are not so readily available.