Freelance Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Temporary Professional New York, NY, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1850

Salary Range: $30.00 To $34.00 Hourly

Position: Part-Time Prospect Research Manager - Individual Giving

Rate:$30-34/hr (24 hours/wk for 6 months)

Start Date:ASAP

Role Overview:The Part-Time Prospect Research Manager - Individual Giving is a key member of Lincoln Center’s Strategic Research Team within the Advancement & Innovation (A+I) business unit. Reporting to the Associate Director for Strategic Research, this approximately 24-hour-per-week role will provide focused Individual Giving prospect development coverage during a period of staff leave. The freelancer’s primary responsibilities will be to identify and qualify prospective individual donors, manage inbound research requests, and support monthly portfolio reviews and prospect assignments. The role will also provide flexible, ad hoc support for additional Strategic Research priorities - including newsletter alerts, events research, and CRM administration - as capacity and departmental needs require. The ideal candidate is an experienced prospect development professional who combines strong research and analytical judgment with clear writing, thoughtful project management, flexibility, and the ability to work independently within a part-time schedule.

What you’ll get to do here:

The Strategic Research Team leads prospect development for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, including prospect identification and qualification, prospect and moves management, portfolio strategy, due diligence, and targeted research. We partner with fundraising teams to translate information into actionable strategy, strengthen pipelines, and support meaningful donor engagement. Our work spans individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as events, executive briefings, and special projects.

In collaboration with the Associate Director for Strategic Research, the Prospect Research Manager - Institutional Giving, and the Research Coordinator, the Part-Time Freelance Prospect Research Manager - Individual Giving will:

Prospect Identification, Qualification & Research

• Support prospecting for individual donors by identifying, researching, and qualifying prospective supporters aligned with Lincoln Center’s fundraising and programmatic priorities, with final prospect selection and prioritization determined by the Associate Director for Strategic Research.
• Conduct in-depth research and asset analysis to assess a prospect’s wealth, philanthropic capacity, interests, relationships, giving history, and affinity for Lincoln Center.
• Develop clear, actionable prospect recommendations for review by the Associate Director for Strategic Research, who will make final decisions regarding prospect selection and prioritization in consultation with relevant partners.
• Manage inbound research requests related to prospective, current, lapsed, and renewal individual donors, producing profiles, briefings, and strategic analyses to inform cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement planning.
• Use prospect research and relationship-mapping platforms, including iWave, LexisNexis, Altrata, RelSci, Wealth-X, and other approved resources, to support qualification, relationship analysis, and fundraising strategy.
• Support prospect development for Lincoln Center’s Fellows program as capacity allows, including identifying and assessing next-generation donors and preparing related research.
• Support monthly Individual Giving portfolio reviews by analyzing portfolios and pipelines, identifying movement, gaps, stalled relationships, engagement opportunities, and prospects requiring next-step strategy or reassignment.
• Support monthly prospect assignments by preparing qualified recommendations, conducting necessary research and record review, and documenting approved assignments and next steps.
• Support prospect review and portfolio strategy discussions by preparing research findings, qualification rationale, potential opportunities, and relevant considerations for presentation by the Associate Director for Strategic Research or Prospect Research Manager - Institutional Giving.
• Partner with fundraisers on preparation for key donor visits, events, and other engagement opportunities through timely and appropriately scoped research support.
• Use Tessitura consistently for prospect management, assignments, research notes, plan and contact documentation, donor tracking, and institutional knowledge sharing.
• Recognize prospective board candidates and other cross-team opportunities and route them appropriately in coordination with the Associate Director for Strategic Research and relevant A&I partners.
• Conduct due diligence reviews using Xapien and other approved resources in accordance with LCPA’s gift acceptance policy and established research protocols, as assigned.

Additional Strategic Research Support & Workflow Management

• Provide additional Strategic Research support as required and as capacity allows, including reviewing newsletter alerts and preparing initial summaries, assisting with events research, and supporting CRM administration and data maintenance.
• Maintain organized workflows and communicate proactively about priorities, deadlines, capacity, and potential conflicts across recurring, inbound, and ad hoc assignments.

You’ll be a fit if you bring:

• Demonstrated ability to identify and qualify individual prospects, respond effectively to inbound research requests, and translate findings into practical fundraising recommendations.
• Strong analytical judgment, including the ability to interpret complex financial, philanthropic, and relationship data and identify the most relevant strategic insights.
• Experience analyzing major-gift portfolios and pipelines, supporting recurring portfolio reviews and prospect assignments, and identifying movement, gaps, or stalled relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex research into clear recommendations for fundraisers, senior leadership, and executive audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an agile environment, balancing recurring responsibilities, inbound requests, ad hoc assignments, multiple partners, and competing deadlines.
• Strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape and current trends in individual giving, major gifts, and donor engagement.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, discretion, and sound judgment in prospect research and data management.
• Ability to work approximately 24 hours per week and participate in Lincoln Center’s hybrid work environment, with the specific schedule and onsite expectations established in coordination with the manager.
• Four to five years of prospect development or prospect research experience in a nonprofit, university, healthcare, cultural, or similarly complex organization.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Nice to Have:

• Professional development or engagement with Apra or a related prospect development association.
• Knowledge of New York City and tri-state-area philanthropy, donor networks, and cultural institutions.
• Experience working in the performing arts, cultural sector, or another mission-driven organization.
• Experience with prospect research platforms such as iWave, LexisNexis, Altrata, RelSci, Wealth-X, Xapien, or comparable tools.
• Experience using Tessitura and/or Monday.com for CRM, workflow, or project management.

What is Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts?

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (LCPA) is a cultural and civic cornerstone of New York City. We believe the arts play an important role in our lives: they nourish our hearts and minds, teach us valuable lessons and critical skills, and help us create community. We invite you to consider joining our talented, multi-faceted team.

We are:

1. The manager of the 16-acre Lincoln Center campus

-We are one of eleven amazing resident arts organizations

2. A leading Arts Presenter.

-We curate numerous programs and performances, showcasing music, dance, and more

3. An Education Hub.

-We have reached 20 million students, educators, principals, and community members

Who are our people?

LCPA is a team of dreamers, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who use unique platforms in the heart of New York City and beyond to advocate for the transformative impact of artistic experiences.

Lincoln Center People imagine and create in concert with this mission by founding President John D. Rockefeller III - "The arts are not for the privileged few, but for the many. Their place is not on the periphery of daily life, but at its center."

We welcome applicants from all sectors who agilely solve problems, show up as they are, and can't stop innovating.

It is the policy of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, marital or civil partnership/union status, familial or caregiver status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, military or veteran status, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, unemployment status, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. LCPA is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

If you require reasonable accommodation in locating open positions, completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Abigail Worsnip at (212) 875–5324.