Prospect Research Associate, Donor Relations

Title:                         Prospect Research Associate, Donor Relations

Reports to:             Director, Development Strategy

Job Summary:          The Prospect Research Associate coordinates prospect research efforts across the Development team and helps manage the constituent data used to determine prospect feasibility. The Associate is responsible for conducting research used to identify and qualify fundraising prospects with the capacity to make major gifts, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position also ensures ongoing donor pipeline maintenance and management to and from all levels of giving and monitors prospect pools for opportunities that merit attention from key stakeholders.

As a key member of the Development team, the Associate coordinates with the Development team to ensure constituent data is properly shared and accessed. This position is also responsible for producing and, where appropriate, analyzing and improving reports which monitor both departmental and individual progress toward goals. The ideal candidate must be thorough, detail-oriented, efficient, and committed to delivering a high-quality work product.

Job Duties:

• Research high net worth donor prospects and gather information regarding philanthropic interests, giving capacity, background, digital behavior and other key components.
• Prepare biographical profiles and research reports for use by gift officers, Development leadership, and other key leaders and staff involved in major gift fundraising.
• Maintain a process for the allocation of research responsibilities to ensure accurate profiles.
• Source prospects by scanning new sources and journals and utilizing software for organizations and individuals who align with strategic priorities.
• Support the review of gift officer caseloads in coordination with the Assistant Director.
• Work closely with the Data Services Manager to complete and review all Donor Relations reporting, answer requests from top leadership, and service gift officers and events with research needs.
• Regularly review and improve the major and principal gift pipeline; participate in pipeline management meetings to review progress toward overall fundraising goals.
• Undertake pipeline building activities, identifying sources of individual, corporate, and foundation support to match fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure information on donors and prospects is up-to-date, accurate, and properly documented.
• Remain current and fully informed on prospect research trends and available resources.
• Support the Data Services Manager with applicable reports and analysis.

Qualifications:

Education:                  Bachelor's degree required 

Experience:                    2+ years of experience in fundraising, prospect research, major gift fundraising, or related field; experience within a development or other fundraising team preferred

Communication:         Excellent communication skills and collaborative mindset

Technology:                   Skilled in Microsoft Office applications, as well as CRM usage or a

willingness to learn; comfortable with computer and query logic preferred; advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel highly preferred

Other Requirements:

• Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department’s goals and objectives.
• Ability to thoroughly investigate, analyze, and articulate the needs and interests of major gift prospects.
• Demonstrated record of efficiency and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Collaborative mindset and team focused.
• Comfortable with AI usage, but willing to adhere to strict guidelines for accuracy, data security, organizational safety, and data integrity.
• Trustworthy with sensitive information.
• Efficient and able to meet deadlines with short turn-around times.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.

Benefits and Salary:

The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.

The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $70,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.