Prospect Researcher

SUMMARY

The Prospect Researcher gathers and analyzes information on, and facilitates and tracks communication with, current and potential prospects and donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Researcher plays a role in Development’s strategic priorities: the expansion of the base of support, which complements fundamental priorities of building relationships and raising funds. This is addressed by conducting research and analysis, identifying new prospects, and managing the processes of queuing the most promising prospects for gift officer portfolios. The Researcher is an advocate for the highest standards of performance and ethical behavior as related to prospect research and donor/prospect confidentiality outlined by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• (50%) Enhancing research content: Produces timely, in-depth research on individuals, corporations, and foundations using a wide variety of biographical, organizational, and financial sources, including state-of-the-art online database services, internet websites, library and government sources, and other external repositories of public information. Analyzes and documents complex information to assess financial capacity, philanthropic tendencies, giving propensity, and connections to epilepsy. Extracts and records key information to inform cultivation and solicitation strategies.

• (30%) Developing resources for support: Proactively and independently identifies sources of major gift ($25,000+) private support, both from within the database system and using research techniques and electronic searching methodologies, combined with external sources, to develop a sufficient pool of potential prospects for fundraising initiatives.

• (15%) Managing pipeline development and prioritization: Collaborates with the supervisor on matters related to pool and pipeline prioritization and management. Ensures that prospect knowledge, including external ratings, interests, and linkages acquired through research, is preserved and maintained in a complex database system that is accessible to fundraising staff to develop future cultivation strategies.

• (5%) Contributing to the overall success of the Development Team: Assumes responsibility for other duties as assigned within the scope of this position.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrated experience in prospect research, development, library research, or information-related fields, preferably in a patient advocacy or human health environment. Knowledge of the range of resources available to prospect researchers and the ability to apply those resources in an organized and purposeful manner.
• Demonstrated analytical skills to initiate and perform complex analyses and organize information to identify philanthropic patterns, tendencies, and relationships among individuals, corporations, and foundations. Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial disclosure documents for the purposes of wealth assessment (SEC filings, real property files, financial and legal disclosures, etc.). Ability to compose documents using style, grammar, and content appropriate to specific audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and develop proactive prospecting methodologies to support organizational goals, including data mining and constituent database queries.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 3-5 years’ experience in prospect research, preferably in a human health or patient advocacy capacity.
• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in identifying, qualifying, and segmenting donor pools.
• Minimum 1 year of experience with CRM software (Salesforce preferred) and web-based tools available to create prospect profiles.
• Detail-oriented individual who can perform accurate and timely data entry updates and routine data cleanup within donor and prospect databases.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize work, and manage multiple, diverse, and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Adheres to standards of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to recall, recognize, and communicate interrelated information pertaining to donors and prospects.
• Must be self-motivated, curious, focused, and persistent in the pursuit of information.
• Knowledge of ethics statements by APRA and other related associations.
• Additional fundraising and peer-to-peer training or experience is a plus. Knowledge or experience with special events and other fundraising areas (major gifts, corporate fundraising) is a plus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

MANAGES

• 0

TRAVEL, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This is a full-time position, working 35 hours per week, with some flexibility and night/weekend work required due to event schedules.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and will need to spend extended periods staring at a computer screen and/or documents. This role also involves standing or moving around at on-site events, lifting up to 30 pounds (e.g., boxes or packages), and moving tables and chairs to set up event areas.
• Telework privileges may be requested, in accordance with our standard telework policy. Satisfactory performance and excellent customer service must be maintained.
• This position is expected to regularly attend Foundation meetings and trainings.

Salary Range

• $62,000-$67,500.