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Donor Prospect Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Donor Prospect Research Associate Exempt/Non -exempt: Non-exempt Reports to: Associate Director, Database Operations Date : January 12, 2026 Position Summary : The Donor Prospect Research Associate ...

Donor Prospect Research Associate

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$33.65 - $40.87/hr

Donor Prospect Research Associate Exempt/Non-exempt: Non-exempt Reports to: Associate Director, Database Operations Date: January 12, 2026 Position Summary: The Donor Prospect Research Associate ...

Manager, Prospect Research

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$80K - $125K/yr

C. office is seeking a Manager of Prospect Research to play a key role in the organization's donor prospect research program. This role is responsible for developing and managing prospect research ...

Manager, Prospect Research

Washington, DC ยท Hybrid

$80K - $125K/yr

C. office is seeking a Manager of Prospect Research to play a key role in the organization's donor prospect research program. This role is responsible for developing and managing prospect research ...

Prospect Research Analyst

Notre Dame, IN ยท On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Experience preparing prospect research reports, donor briefings, and other materials to support fundraising and donor cultivation strategies. * Familiarity with prospect management, portfolio ...

New

Philanthropic principles and practices; wealth screening tools and resources; donor and prospect research methodologies; data analysis techniques and best practices; relevant legal and ethical ...

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Donor Prospect Research information

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$23K

$59.8K

$111K

How much do donor prospect research jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for donor prospect research in the United States is $59,756.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a donor prospect researcher?

A Donor Prospect Researcher is a professional who identifies and evaluates potential donors for nonprofit organizations. They gather and analyze information about individuals, corporations, and foundations to assess their capacity and inclination to give. This research helps fundraising teams prioritize prospects and tailor their engagement strategies. By providing detailed profiles and insights, donor prospect researchers play a critical role in supporting successful fundraising campaigns.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a donor prospect researcher?

To thrive as a Donor Prospect Researcher, you need strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in research or nonprofit development, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with donor management databases, online research tools, and data analysis software such as Excel or Raiser's Edge is typically required. Excellent written communication, discretion, and critical thinking skills set standout professionals apart in this field. These competencies ensure the identification of high-potential donors and the development of effective fundraising strategies to support organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in donor prospect research roles?

Donor prospect researchers often encounter challenges such as sourcing accurate and up-to-date information on potential donors, especially when dealing with limited public data. Balancing the need for thorough research with tight fundraising deadlines can also be demanding. Additionally, researchers must ensure compliance with privacy laws and ethical guidelines when handling sensitive information. Collaboration with fundraising and development teams is key to translating research insights into effective engagement strategies.

What is the difference between Donor Prospect Research vs Fundraising Data Analyst?

AspectDonor Prospect ResearchFundraising Data Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires research, nonprofit, or fundraising experienceRequires data analysis, statistics, or related certifications
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, development departmentsFundraising teams, nonprofit or corporate settings
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, educational institutions, healthcareNonprofits, fundraising agencies, or corporate CSR divisions
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding donor potential, prospect identificationAnalyzing fundraising data, performance metrics

While both roles support fundraising efforts, Donor Prospect Research focuses on identifying and evaluating potential donors, whereas Fundraising Data Analysts analyze data to optimize fundraising strategies. Both positions require data handling skills but serve different functions within nonprofit development teams.

What cities are hiring for Donor Prospect Research jobs?

Cities with the most Donor Prospect Research job openings:

What states have the most Donor Prospect Research jobs?

States with the most job openings for Donor Prospect Research jobs include:

What other helpful pages are available for Donor Prospect Research?

Other pages related to Donor Prospect Research:

Infographic showing various Donor Prospect Research job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,756 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Donor Prospect Research Associate

Santa Monica, CA โ€ข Hybrid

Direqt
Software Developmentย โ€ขย 1 - 10 employees

$33.65 - $40.87/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Donor Prospect Research Associate


Exempt/Non-exempt: Non-exempt


Reports to: Associate Director, Database Operations


Date: January 12, 2026

Position Summary: The Donor Prospect Research Associate collaborates closely with the Development team to ensure fundraisers are equipped with accurate, actionable, and timely prospect intelligence. This role applies research and data analysis expertise to build and maintain robust prospect pools, support data-driven fundraising strategies, and inform donor engagement efforts. This position is also responsible for prospect portfolio distribution, prospect-related reporting, and the ongoing maintenance of prospect research data within the Raiser's Edge database.

Essential Functions:

  • Conduct comprehensive prospect research using a wide range of biographical, organizational, and financial sources, including online databases, public records, and other reputable resources.
  • Prepare concise, high-level donor briefings and profiles for PCF leadership and Development staff.
  • Record and maintain donor biographies, ratings, and related research data in Raiser's Edge to ensure accuracy and usability.
  • Assess prospective donors' capacity, inclination, philanthropic history, and connections to PCF. Analyze complex information to identify gift capacity and provide clear recommendations to guide donor engagement strategies.
  • Provide administrative support to gift officers, including preparing donor lists, briefing materials, and other stewardship tasks.
  • Partner with gift officers, consultants, and Development leadership to share research findings, insights, and strategies. Support effective communication and coordination across the Development team to advance fundraising goals. Identify and correct data entry errors and inconsistencies.
  • Ensure donor data is secure and handled in compliance with organizational policies.
  • Stay current on best practices, tools, and trends in prospect research, prospect management, and the broader Development field. Always adhere to confidentiality and ethical standards established by PCF.
  • Maintain documentation of data research procedures and best practices.
  • Maintain knowledge and understanding of PCF's mission, programs, and fundraising needs and goals.


Required Skills/Competencies:

  • Proficiency in Raiser's Edge or a comparable non-profit CRM software.
  • Demonstrated experience in prospect research, data analysis, and development services within a nonprofit or higher education environment.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce concise and accurate research profiles.
  • High degree of professionalism, discretion, and commitment to ethical research practices.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, or similar).

Physical Demands: Bending, sitting, and lifting (20 pounds or less, not repetitive)

Position type and expected work hours: Entry-level
full-time, typically 8:00 am-5:00 pm, five days a week, but can expect to work on weekends and more than 40 hours a week infrequently. This role is in-office 4 to 5 days per week. Applicants must be local to Los Angeles or willing to relocate.

Travel: <5%.

Other Duties: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.