Tracey Church, MLIS

Principal, Researcher & Consultant

Tracey Church has been a professional researcher in the not-for-profit sector for over 20 years and has worked with over 400 clients in the fields of health care, education, social services, arts, Indigenous, and the environment. In October 2018, Tracey was awarded with the inaugural Apra Canada Excellence in Prospect Research Award at Apra Canada's national conference.

She is known for her team dynamic approach, getting all factors within a development office working together to realize success in major giving (and integrated/blended giving). Her research and consulting work includes customized one-on-one, online or class training sessions, research profiles and backgrounders, prospect identification, donor research capacity reports, pipeline management, strategic planning, time and database management, and other specialized research projects.

Tracey is Past-President of AFP's newest chapter, AFP London & Region Chapter, and is on the AFP International Research Council. She is a former Board Director for AFP Golden Horseshoe, and Apra International. She is AFP London & Region's current IDEA Chair, and Every Member Campaign Chair. Tracey is the Past President of Apra-Canada (Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement) and teaches Western University's "Prospect Research in Fundraising" course in the Master of Library and Information Science program. 

Tracey is happy to report that many of her students, trainees and mentees have gone on to become successful prospect researchers in the charitable sector and active members of Apra.

Tracey was a co-editor and co-author of Apra-Canada's book "Prospect Research in Canada: An Essential Guide for Researchers and Fundraisers", the definitive book on research in the charitable sector in Canada (2016).

In 2020-2022, Tracey contributed to two new fundraising publications "Excellence in Fundraising in Canada", 2nd edition, and the UK Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Researchers in Fundraising (RiF) online handbook "Best Practice Guide and Handbook for Prospect Research".

Tracey is a regular presenter for Apra, AFP, CAGP, and AHP in research, major giving, blended giving, research strategic planning, time management, and other areas. 

She has her Masters in Library & Information Science and her Professional Certificate in Not-for-Profit Management. In 2019, Tracey received her AFP Master Trainer certification in San Antonio, TX.

When not researching, Tracey enjoys spending time with her family at home, at the family cottage and travelling. She and her family reside in London, Ontario where she enjoys the four seasons so she can ski, golf, curl, hike, and get out on the water. A recent addition to her "home team" is her new puppy, Doug (Associate, Mental Health).  

Tracey's feature article, How Do I ... Do Prospect Identification? In the Hilborn Charity eNews. Sept. 15, 2022

Tracey's iWave Guest Post, Integrated Giving: Don't Forget - You Are the Integrated Giving Expert on Your Team! Dec. 5, 2019

Tracey is one of four "seasoned veterans" in the iWave Roundtable - Ask the Nonprofit Experts. June 26, 2019

Check out Tracey's Podcast from AFP Congress 2019 with Jennifer McNally "Disrupt Peer Review: Innovation in Board Motivation"

See Tracey's Apra Talk on Social Capital and Networking at Apra's International Conference 2016:

Check out Tracey's article on Time and Project Management "Feeling overwhelmed at work? You are not alone!"

Listen to Tracey's Podcast on "Using Prospect Research in Your Planned Giving Program":

Check out Tracey's interview with Apra-Illinois for their Motivations of Leaders blog:

Check out Tracey's Podcast about pulling together researchers across Canada as Co-Chair, Co-Editor and Contributor to Canada's first book on Prospect Research:

 

Izabela Piasecka-Latour, MLIS

Research Associate, Tracey Church & Associates

Izabela is an experienced prospect researcher with over 15 years of not-for-profit work. Working with Tracey Church & Associates, Izabela has provided research services to clients across Canada, including those in the fields of social science, education, and health care. In her previous position as National Manager of Prospect Research at The Arthritis Society, Izabela was responsible for providing research services within the fundraising department to clients across the country.

In 2014, Izabela became a co-instructor for the course “Prospect Research in Fundraising” for the Master of Library & Information Science Graduate Program for the Faculty of Information & Media Studies at Western University. 

As a member of Apra-Canada, Izabela has been involvement with the organization in roles of director, webmaster and conference planning committee member. Izabela has also volunteered her time with a local fundraising organizations, London Regional Fundraising Professionals (LRFP), and currently, the new AFP London & Region Chapter. Izabela is proud to be a contributor to Apra-Canada’s first book “Prospect Research in Canada: An Essential Guide for Researchers and Fundraisers” (Civil Sector Press, 2016).

Izabela began her career in prospect research in 2002 after graduating from Western University with a Masters in Library and Information Science. She gained her experience in similar positions at CNIB, McMaster University, Conestoga College, and Children's Health Foundation. Her passion lies in utilizing different resources in reactive and proactive research as well as working with databases to ensure ongoing success in fundraising efforts.