Assistant Prospect Researcher Jobs in California

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap‑around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org

Swords to Plowshares is seeking a Major Donor Analyst to strengthen and grow our individual giving program. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Fund Development & Communications, this role will provide the research and planning needed to expand our major and mid‑level donor pipeline – identifying promising prospects, building donor profiles, and translating research into clear, actionable strategy for leadership to act on to close meaningful gifts.

The ideal candidate is a sharp, organized researcher who enjoys the behind‑the‑scenes work of finding connections, spotting patterns in a donor portfolio, and keeping cultivation moving. You'll maintain our moves management system – a structured plan of next steps, ask timing, and expected outcomes for each prospect, as well as keep leadership on track with timely briefings and touchpoints, and help us think strategically about who to prioritize and when. We're also in the early stages of building a planned giving program, and this role will support that groundwork – no expertise required, just curiosity and willingness to learn.

• Conduct in-depth research to identify and prioritize individual donor prospects at the mid‑level and major gift levels.
• Develop comprehensive donor profiles, including giving capacity, philanthropic interests, and relationship connections.
• Utilize LinkedIn and relevant professional and philanthropic networks to gather and synthesize data for prospect research and donor profile updates.
• Identify patterns across the donor portfolio to prioritize cultivation and solicitation activity and recommended asks.

• Develop and maintain a moves management calendar for prospects and current donors, including recommended next steps, ask amounts, and timing.
• Proactively alert and prompt leadership on upcoming touchpoints through calendar invites, briefing notes, and talking points.
• Draft personalized donor communications, meeting prep materials, and follow‑up communications for leadership to send.
• Create targeted invitation lists for donor events to support fundraising and friend‑raising goals and stewardship touchpoints.
• Support development of a planned giving program by identifying legacy giving prospects and preparing stewardship materials.
• Stay current on fundraising trends and local philanthropic opportunities through industry news, webinars, panels, and networking events.

Schedule (Days and Hours): Monday – Friday; 9am – 5pm

Reporting Type (In-person, Hybrid, or Remote): Hybrid; 4 days remote, 1 day in-person with the team, and occasional in-person events required

• 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit prospect research, fund development, or major gifts required.
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to synthesize donor research into concrete cultivation and solicitation recommendations.
• Ability to identify patterns across a donor portfolio.
• Highly organized and proactive, self‑directed work style – even while working remotely.
• Must be able to communicate and work effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable embracing the agency’s principles of Cultural Humility.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in using prospect research and wealth screening tools and donor databases, e.g. Salesforce, as well as Microsoft Suites, Zoom, Outlook, and other day‑to‑day tools.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts a plus.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred