Fall 2026 Plug In to Portfolio Optimization

Portfolio optimization ensures the right relationships are getting the right attention at the right time. Optimized portfolios are built around a specific purpose with clear assignment criteria and are regularly evaluated for fit, activity and progress toward a goal. Done well, portfolio optimization helps portfolio owners spend less time sifting through noise and more time advancing the relationships most likely to lead to meaningful outcomes.

Apra’s Fall Plug In will focus on the practical skills needed to define, evaluate and strengthen portfolios across fundraising and engagement programs — not just for major gifts, but also for other portfolios working on principal gifts, planned gifts, corporate and foundation fundraising, engagement and stewardship. Participants will explore how to set portfolio standards, track portfolio health indicators and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Sessions will also address some of the realities that make this work challenging: relationship history, leadership expectations, fundraiser priorities, decentralized structures, uneven data quality and limited resources for portfolio management support.

Whether you are implementing portfolio optimization for the first time or are looking to bring more sophistication to an established practice, this Plug In will offer practical examples and approaches to help create and maintain portfolios that better support fundraising and engagement goals.

Learning Objectives:
• Learn how to create portfolio standards and health benchmarks that make sense for your team.
• Gain a deeper understanding for the nuances of different portfolio types and how to adapt portfolio standards to different roles.
• Come away with tools for measuring, reporting and moving forward portfolio strategy.

Who should attend? – Anyone working in prospect development or portfolio management who would like to learn how to optimize their portfolio size and health to best position their team for success in achieving fundraising goals.