Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development

The Franklin Institute; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision

401K

Paid Time Off

Job summary

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia seeks a collaborative Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development to support prospect research, donor pipeline management, and portfolio optimization. Reporting to the Director of External Affairs Operations and Strategy, this role identifies major gift prospects and provides data-driven insights to fundraising strategy.

The Manager will conduct wealth analyses, prepare donor briefings and portfolios, and maintain CRM records while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Experience with CRM and fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) and data integrity.
• Ability to analyze wealth indicators and giving history to assess donor capacity.
• Strong written and verbal communication; synthesize complex data into profiles.
• Proven collaboration across departments and with frontline fundraisers.
• Experience with donor research tools and fundraising analytics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect research and wealth screening to qualify major gift prospects.
• Manage donor portfolios, moves management, and pipeline analytics.
• Produce donor profiles, briefings, and performance dashboards for leadership.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and support training resources.
• Assist with campaign planning and fundraising strategy using data insights.

Skills

CRM proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Windfall

DonorSearch

iWave

LexisNexis

Foundation Directory

WealthEngine

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Franklin Institute (TFI), the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, strives to be the world leader in promoting science and technology education and literacy through inspiring and engaging experiences that cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of the crucial role science plays in our lives.

At TFI , we provide an environment that is as nurturing as it is dynamic. Our team-oriented approach allows for ample learning and career growth opportunities. We think you will find the Institute offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. We are eager for your input, ideas, and inspiration.

Position Description:

The Franklin Institute seeks a collaborative, analytical, and detail-oriented Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development to support prospect research, prospect development, donor pipeline management, and portfolio optimization efforts within the External Affairs team. Reporting to the Director of External Affairs Operations and Strategy, this role will identify, qualify, and prioritize individual, corporate, and foundation prospects with major gift potential while providing data-driven insights that inform fundraising strategy and decision-making. The Manager will conduct prospect research and wealth analysis, support donor qualification and portfolio management processes, and prepare donor briefings, prospect profiles, and performance reports that enable fundraisers and organizational leaders to engage prospective donors effectively. Working closely with frontline fundraising staff, the External Affairs Operations team, and organizational leadership, this position will play a key role in maintaining a robust donor pipeline, supporting moves management activities, and advancing fundraising initiatives aligned with The Franklin Institute's strategic priorities and campaign goals.

• Conduct prospect research and prospect development activities by analyzing wealth indicators, philanthropic giving history, professional affiliations, engagement data, and publicly available information to assess donor capacity, affinity, and inclination. ·
• Support wealth screening, prospect identification, and prospect qualification initiatives in partnership with the External Affairs Operations Manager; evaluate screening results and recommend prospects for qualification, assignment, cultivation, or disqualification.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects to support a sustainable donor pipeline aligned with organizational fundraising priorities and campaign goals.
• Manage the Mission Wow! campaign pipeline, maintain accurate moves management records, and support donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities in collaboration with frontline fundraisers.
• Coordinate and facilitate prospect management and portfolio management review meetings; present research findings, qualification recommendations, and portfolio insights in a clear and actionable manner.
• Analyze donor pipeline, portfolio performance, and fundraising activity data to identify opportunities for improved prospect qualification, assignment, engagement, and portfolio optimization.
• Produce prospect profiles, donor briefings, research reports, fundraising dashboards, and portfolio analyses to support strategic decision-making by fundraising staff and organizational leadership.
• Maintain accurate prospect, donor, relationship, and portfolio records within the organization's CRM, ensuring data integrity and adherence to prospect management standards.
• Create and maintain documentation, procedures, and training resources related to prospect research, donor pipeline management, portfolio management, wealth screening, and fundraising operations; assist with onboarding and staff training as needed.
• Stay current on trends, tools, technologies, and best practices in prospect research, prospect development, advancement services, fundraising analytics, and philanthropy.

Qualifications:

• Proficiency with CRM and fundraising database platforms, such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar systems, including experience maintaining constituent records, prospect assignments, and moves management data.
• Experience using prospect research, wealth screening, and donor intelligence tools, such as Windfall, DonorSearch, iWave, LexisNexis, Foundation Directory, WealthEngine, or comparable platforms.
• Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to evaluate wealth indicators, philanthropic giving history, business affiliations, and engagement data to assess donor capacity, affinity, and propensity to give.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams; experience developing reports, dashboards, and data visualizations preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into concise prospect profiles, donor briefings, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and interact professionally with donors, volunteers, board members, and organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain attention to detail, and adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting donor pipeline management, prospect qualification, portfolio review, and fundraising strategy through data analysis and research-driven recommendations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain discretion, and handle confidential donor and organizational information with the highest level of professionalism.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted research and productivity tools, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, summarize financial, philanthropic, and public records information, and draft research summaries while ensuring accuracy and fact‑checking.
• Ability to work independently while contributing as an active member of a collaborative, results‑oriented team.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. 3-5 years of experience in prospect research, prospect development, advancement services, fundraising operations, donor analytics, development operations, portfolio management, or a related field.

Status:

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Salary Range

$65,000 - $75,000

Benefits Information:

The Franklin Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision, 401K, life insurance and disability coverage. We also offer generous Paid Time Off, paid

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Franklin Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability or protected veteran status.