Tips & Tricks from the Excel Ninja (14 Apr 2026)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Get ready to level up your Excel skills with a fast-paced, practical session led by self‑proclaimed Excel ninja Joe Lindell, Development Operations Manager at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Whether you work in prospect research, data operations, gift officer support, or simply want to work smarter in Excel, this session is packed with tools you can put to use immediately.

What You’ll Learn

Time‑saving keyboard shortcuts
How to harness the Quick Access Toolbar
Powerful F5 navigation hacks
VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and XLOOKUP
Demystifying PivotTables
Clever graphing tricks you didn’t know Excel could do
Adding totals to stacked column charts
Identifying and visualizing outliers in column charts

About the Presenter: Joe Lindell

A self‑proclaimed Excel ninja, Joe brings nearly three decades of fundraising experience across Human Services, Higher Education, and Animal Conservation. Since joining the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation in 2015, he has served as their Development Operations Manager.

Joe approaches challenges as both a seasoned fundraiser and a data analyst, creating elegant systems and processes that strengthen donor relationships and improve the measurement of fundraising activity. He and the Development Operations team oversee constituent data, workflow optimization, process design, prospect research, and strategic initiatives.

A fourth‑generation alumnus of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Joe studied Business, English, and Communication and discovered his passion for development in the campus advancement office.

Outside of work, Joe enjoys time with his wife, Anne, and their two children; traveling—especially to Norway; birding with a special focus on downtown Saint Paul’s Peregrine Falcons; and cheering on the Twins and Timberwolves.

Apra Midwest 2026 Conference (8 Jun 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Apra Midwest 2026 Conference June 8-9, 2026

Join Apra Great Plains and Apra Heartlands in Des Moines, IA to engage with other prospect development professionals across the Midwest, learn emerging strategies and tools shaping the future of fundraising, network with others in the field, and hear from national thought leaders.

Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

909 Robert D. Ray Drive

Des Moines, IA 50309-2891

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nQFwbKASVzvsPJk3A

Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown

101 East Locust Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-244-1700

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cjkvxGs3AW2kZ4wJ7

Book Today: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/dsmdnes-93k-86be54eb-3a5f-4fcc-967e-e06111383304/

Room Rate: $199, if booked before May 10, 2026

Meals Provided: Mon. June 8-After Hours Happy Hour (apps + drinks)

Tues. June 9-Breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Conference Presenting Sponsor:

Apra Great Plains upcoming events

Tips & Tricks from the Excel Ninja (14 Apr 2026)

What You’ll Learn

Apra Midwest 2026 Conference (8 Jun 2026)