Presentation Transcript

1. Catholic Alumni PartnershipProspect Research 101

2. What is individual prospect research? Prospect Research involves the identification and research of prospective donors (alumni, parents past and present, grandparents, friends, etc). The goal of prospect research is to find potential donors that have an interest and the ability to invest in your school’s mission and activities. Prospect research performs an essential support role in fundraising, providing information to determine which individuals could be suitable prospects and how to approach these prospects for financial or other support. Prospect researchers generally use a variety of public resources, including public records, business and financial publications, and internet databases.
3. Prospect research can help your school: To identify donors needs and motivations for cultivation To determine capacity and frame the ask To identify the right people to approach To increase organizational productivity in support of cultivation and solicitation To avoid wasting time or money pursuing the wrong prospects To identify relationships and influences among donors and prospects To identify potential conflicts before they occur To interpret and manage prospect information
4. The Purpose of Individual Prospect Research Provides information on past giving history to determine funding interest Identifies a prospect’s contacts Provides supporting details to assist in determining an appropriate ask amount Prepares solicitor for cultivation or solicitation meeting Provides indicators of prospect’s wealth
5. What will you need? Valuable Information Prospect’s current employer Business title Business address Spouse name Approximate age of prospect Home telephone Necessary Information Full name (with middle initial) Home address
6. What can you find?