Prospect Research Analyst

UMass Amherst Foundation; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Amherst Foundation (UMAF) is seeking a Prospect Research Analyst to identify major donor prospects, assess giving potential, and develop targeted cultivation plans. You will support fundraisers and senior leadership with research, materials, and a strong prospect pipeline.

The role emphasizes data accuracy in the UMAF donor database, collaboration with the Prospect Management team, and improvement of research processes while guiding student workers as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years in prospect research, management, or development or an equivalent combo of education and experience.
• Strong analytical skills demonstrated in evaluating donors and prospects.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with relationship databases and research tools (LexisNexis, iWave, IRS 990s, SEC filings).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Identify prospective major donors and assess gift capacity to inform fundraising strategy.
• Prepare and update donor/prospect materials for fundraisers and leadership.
• Maintain accurate biographical, professional, and financial donor data in the UMAF database.
• Support process improvement and evaluate research tools and subscriptions.
• Assist training and oversight of student workers as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork / collaboration

Integrity

Independent work

Tools

LexisNexis

iWave

Aidentified

Relationship mapping tools

IRS 990s

SEC filings

Salesforce

Tableau

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation (UMAF) exists to raise and distribute philanthropic funds in support of the University's mission and highest aspirations. Reporting to the Executive Director of Prospect Development, the Prospect Research Analyst is a member of the team responsible for identifying and evaluating prospective donors for their interests, relationships, inclination, and philanthropic capacity.

Working closely with the Prospect Management team, the Prospect Research Analyst supports UMAF's fundraising team through research and by building a robust prospect pipeline. The role identifies new major donor prospects, assesses their giving potential, prepares prospect materials for fundraisers and senior leadership, and maintains accurate prospect information in UMAF's donor database.

The research and recommendations produced by this role inform UMAF's fundraising strategies and outreach efforts, helping fundraisers build targeted cultivation strategies that advance philanthropic support for UMass Amherst students, faculty, and the greater campus community.

Location: This is a full-time hybrid position and is open to employees in select US states: Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey and New Hampshire.

What you'll do

Prospect Identification and Research

• Identifies prospective major donors through a range of research methods, including online resources, screenings, alerts, relationship mapping, and regional, company, and initiative-based prospecting lists.
• Researches prospects' gift capacity, interests, and likelihood to give, and makes recommendations to inform fundraising strategy.
• Obtains and analyzes information on major donor prospects to assess giving potential, equipping colleagues to create targeted fundraising and cultivation strategies.

Fundraiser Partnership and Prospect Materials

• Supports UMAF's fundraising team through research and by building a robust prospect pipeline.
• Prepares and updates donor and prospect materials for fundraisers and senior leadership.
• Builds strong partnerships and open communication with fundraisers and other UMAF colleagues, working closely with the Prospect Management team.

Data Management and Process Improvement

• Enters, updates, and maintains accurate biographical, professional, and financial information in the Advance donor database.
• Contributes to the improvement of processes and procedures for prospect research and prospect development.
• Participates in evaluations of prospect research tools and subscriptions.
• Assists with training and work oversight of student workers, as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned

UMAF is building and growing, and this position will support those efforts with other duties and projects as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of experience in prospect research, prospect management, and/or prospect development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Passion for UMAF's mission of supporting and uplifting UMass Amherst students, faculty, and the greater campus community.
• Familiarity with relationship databases and experience with prospect research tools such as LexisNexis, iWave, Aidentified, relationship mapping tools, IRS 990s, and SEC filings.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• High degree of integrity, demonstrating respect for individuals at every level of an organization.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in prospect research.
• Experience working in a large university.
• Experience with Salesforce, Tableau, and other development resources.