NEDRACon 2025 Encore Session #2 - Inclusive and Equitable Language in Prospect Research

NEDRACon 2025 Encore Session #2

Inclusive and Equitable Language in Prospect Research

Thursday, October 16, 2025

1:00PM- 2:00PM  ET

Online 

Inclusive language encompasses words and phrases that treat everyone equally and create a sense of belonging. It respects people of different genders, races, religions, sexual orientations and disabilities and celebrates our differences that make us unique. Prospect research relies heavily on personal information, data and primary sources; therefore, it is critical that we examine the terminology, phrases and vocabulary we use to describe our donors and constituents, nonprofit partners and our colleagues in the research community. The ultimate goal of inclusive language is to create an environment in which everyone feels accurately represented and respected. By choosing to use gender-neutral terms, avoiding terms that make assumptions or revert to defaults, and being mindful of historical context, we are actively working to include and create space for everyone to feel included in our fundraising efforts and organizational missions. This presentation is accompanied by an Inclusive and Equitable Language Guide that attendees can take with them to share and incorporate into their work. The guide demonstrates actionable ways to enhance our commitment to celebrate our diversity, expand our vocabulary to be more inclusive and foster a greater feeling of belonging with our colleagues, nonprofit partners, philanthropic donors and constituents.

Learning Objectives Include:

• Definitions of equitable and inclusive language and why it is important
• Review of how increasing a sense of belonging advances our organizations’ missions and work
• The role of equitable and inclusive language in prospect research and data collection
• Historical summaries of problematic terms and phrases with inclusive replacements
• Gender neutral terminology to describe familial relationships within research
• Increasing knowledge of ableist language challenges and assumptions and how to avoid them
• Elimination or reframing of sexist language and how your organization can reframe male dominated terminology to be more inclusive of all donors
• Demonstrations of how incorporating these practices will advance fundraising and bring in more dollars to your organization
• Guide to take with after the session to share and use with your teams

PRESENTER:

Erin Olson, The Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association
Erin Olson is a Senior Prospect Identification Analyst with the Research and Prospect Management team at The University of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association located in Madison, Wisconsin. Erin’s work leverages analytic, research and business tools to discover and identify the best development prospects for cultivation and qualification across all campus units on behalf of and in benefit of the University of Wisconsin. She has been in the research community for nearly two decades, including conducting high profile prospect research, proactive prospect identification, portfolio management, clinical trial medical research studies, campaign development and freelance documentary film donor screenings. For the past two years, Erin has been presenting on Inclusive and Equitable Language, including the creation of an equitable language guide for prospect research, across the Midwest at development organizations and APRA chapters. Erin volunteers her time as the Director of Programming on APRA Wisconsin’s Board of Directors and seeks out FDR New Deal historical sites in Wisconsin for publication at Berkeley’s Living New Deal project.

COST:

$25 Members

$50 Non-Members

LOCATION:

This program will be held as a Zoom meeting.  Attendees will receive a Zoom link a day before the event. This program will not be recorded.  

DEADLINES:

Deadline for registration will be Wednesday, October 15 at 3PM.