Philanthropy Research & Technology Analyst

Unity School Of Christianity; Unity Village (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity School of Christianity in Unity Village, MO seeks a seasoned Prospect Research Manager to build a technology-enabled fundraising information program. You’ll conduct donor research, train staff, oversee CRM/wealth-screening tools, and provide data-driven insights to align annual, capital, and planned giving with goals.

Collaboration across Communications and donor reporting is essential. Requirements include 5+ years in philanthropy, experience with donor databases (ACS, Raiser's Edge NXT,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fundraising or related field required or equal work equivalency.
• 5+ years’ experience in a Philanthropy or Development office.
• Experience with donor CRM platforms (ACS, Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, Virtuous) required; interest in AI-enabled research tools.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect research on individuals, corporations and foundations and provide donor information.
• Train staff in compiling and analyzing prospect research.
• Evaluate and help implement CRM, wealth-screening, and data tools.

Skills

Prospect research

CRM platforms

Wealth screening

Staff training

Donor data analytics

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fundraising or related field

Tools

ACS

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Salesforce

Virtuous

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Unity School of Christianity - Unity Village, MO 64065, Position Type: Full Time, Position Summary: Help develop a strategic, technology-enabled prospect research program that enables Unity’s Philanthropy department to identify top donor prospects and grow annual, capital and planned gifts toward the organization’s fundraising goals.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct prospect research on individuals, corporations and foundations using online, print and in-house sources and staff feedback, and provide quantitative and qualitative information on Unity’s major donors.
• Train staff in compiling and analyzing prospect research.
• Serve as Philanthropy’s subject-matter expert on prospect research and donor-data technology; with the Director, evaluate, select and help implement CRM, wealth-screening, AI-enabled research tools and data providers.
• Partner with the Communications team, which leads mid- and lower-tier donor communications, by providing donor data, segmentation and research insight that keep annual giving and stewardship messaging aligned with major-gift strategy.
• Maintain a library of prospect research resources, including books, periodicals, online databases and website bookmarks, for staff use.
• Manage the budget for the research library and other philanthropy research costs.
• Research new-to-file major donors and supporters attending retreats, events and campus visits, and identify potential donors for specific projects, products and services. Alert staff to high-capacity or high-propensity donors to maximize the effectiveness of trips and interactions.
• Provide ongoing reports, including weekly CEO and special project reports, monthly donor reports, quarterly giving reports and others as assigned.
• Organize and lead prospect management strategy sessions.
• Create a gift planning calendar and implement year-round activities, such as emails, eblasts and donor surveys, to identify, educate and recognize planned giving donors.
• Work with departments across the organization to ensure donations, including pledges and capital campaign gifts, are accurately recorded and acknowledged.
• Manage the donor acknowledgement program end to end: research and order acknowledgements, confirm inscription accuracy and honor donor intent for placement and installation.
• Gather, analyze and report data to measure each team member’s performance, including annual giving, campaign giving, planned gifts and donor contacts.
• Regular and reliable attendance at the worksite/telework.
• Adhere to all company and departmental policies and procedures per the guidebook including all safety requirements including all safety guidelines.
• Utilize electronic time management system to input time, attendance and paid off request.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

• Support other divisions as requested.
• Participate in organizational planning and/or attend special events.
• Attend business meetings and take minutes to distribute, as assigned.
• Utilize electronic time management system to input time and attendance. Review and approve time records on behalf of Director, as needed.

Qualifications: Competency Statement(s):

• Problem Solving:Able to critically analyze issues/concerns and identify appropriate solutions.
• Accountability: Accepts responsibility for personal actions demonstrates integrity and maintains confidentiality. Demonstrates excellent customer service and a commitment to spiritual growth and continuous learning.
• Values:Ability to demonstrate Unity’s core values

Education:Bachelor’s degree in fundraising or related field required or equal work equivalency.

Experience:

• At least five years’ experience working in a Philanthropy or Development office.
• Ability to work when needed, including some travel and hours outside the 4-day workweek.
• In-depth knowledge of donor CRM platforms (e.g., ACS, Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, Virtuous, or comparable) required, with demonstrated interest in adopting new fundraising technology, including AI-enabled research tools.
• Experience with wealth screening and prospect research platforms (e.g., iWave, DonorSearch, WealthEngine, or comparable) strongly preferred.
• Superior Internet search skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High comfort level with ambiguity and evolving institutional priorities.
• Interpersonal skills that support goals while fostering positive team and organization morale.
• Demonstrated outstanding communications skills.
• Experience training staff on databases and Microsoft Office desired.
• Attention to detail and ethical information gathering expected.

Computer Skills:

• Minimum advanced end-user of MS Office: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook/Calendar. Advanced PC keyboarding skills.
• Knowledge of social media, blogging and web-based communications.

Certificates & Licenses:

Other Requirements: Demonstrated successful experience retaining sensitive and confidential information.

Knowledge of Unity principles preferred. Skills testing required at time of application: MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Activity
• Frequency
• Inside Work
• C
• Outside Work
• N/A
• Use of Hands/Fingers
• C
• Lifting/Carrying: 25 lbs. Max
• F
• Climb- Stairs/Ladders
• O
• Reach (select): Overhead /Forward
• N/A
• Sitting/Workstation
• F
• Traveling
• O
• Exposure:
• (01.84-01.85)
• ---
• --
• 0

Additional Information

Work Environment:Office Environment