Prospect Research Associate

Donorly; New York (NY); Remote; USD 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit consulting firm is seeking a full-time Prospect Research Associate to conduct accurate donor research and support nonprofit clients in fundraising strategies. This remote role requires strong analytical skills, proficiency with relevant research tools, and the ability to work independently. Ideal candidates will have a passion for nonprofit work and deliver high-quality research outputs. Salary ranges from $59,000 to $66,000.

Qualifications

• Curious professional passionate about nonprofit work.
• Ability to deliver high-quality research.
• Energized by supporting teams behind the scenes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth prospect research and donor analysis.
• Produce high-quality deliverables like bios and donor profiles.
• Track client research hours for resource allocation.
• Collaborate to align research outputs with client needs.
• Implement small process improvements to streamline operations.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Attention to detail

Ability to synthesize complex data

Proficiency with research tools

Familiarity with Microsoft Excel

Excellent written communication

Comfort in a remote environment

Commitment to continuous learning

Tools

LexisNexis

iWave

RelSci

Foundation Directory

Microsoft Excel

ClickUp

Job description

Donorly seeks a full-time Prospect Research Associate to conduct data-driven donor research that supports nonprofit clients in building strong fundraising strategies. This role ensures the delivery of accurate, insightful research and helps optimize internal operations to meet project goals.

The salary for this position is in the range of $59,000 to $66,000.

Donorly is a remote workplace. Candidates living outside NYC are welcome to apply.

About Donorly

Donorly is a dynamic, growing consulting firm that works with small and midsized nonprofit organizations – both startups and established organizations – to create and implement strategies that expand fundraising capacity. Through our services, our clients access resources that allow them to realize their mission, serve their stakeholders, and make change in the world. Our services include campaign counsel, donor research, interim staffing, design and implementation of fundraising strategy, and board development.

Donorly is a distributed/remote/virtual workplace. Team members work virtually from across the United States. We are headquartered in New York City.

As we are currently a predominantly white organization, we are committed to anti-racism and are presently engaged in a long-term, ongoing journey to “live out” our anti-racist values within our organization, with our clients, and in our engagement with the philanthropic sector. You can find our full commitment on our website.

Who You Are

A curious, analytical professional with a passion for nonprofit work. You take pride in delivering accurate, high-quality research and are energized by supporting teams behind the scenes. You’re organized, detail-oriented, and thrive in an environment where priorities shift and no two days are exactly alike.

Key Qualities & Skills

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights
• Proficiency with research tools such as LexisNexis, iWave, RelSci, Foundation Directory, and public databases
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and fundraising CRMs
• Excellent written communication and organizational skills
• Comfort working independently and collaboratively in a remote environment
• Commitment to curiosity, continuous learning, and process improvement
  
  

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience in nonprofit development, prospect research, or fundraising strategy
• Understanding of donor segmentation, wealth screening, and philanthropic indicators
• Exposure to client-facing consulting or project-based work
• Familiarity with project management tools, specifically ClickUp
  
  

What You’ll Do

As a Prospect Research Associate, you will support Donorly’s client work through accurate and insightful donor research, while also contributing to operational efficiency and internal coordination.

Research & Prospect Management

• Conduct in-depth prospect research and donor analysis to evaluate giving capacity and philanthropic interests
• Produce high-quality deliverables such as bios, donor profiles, thumbnails, and screening summaries
• Use platforms like LexisNexis, iWave, and Foundation Directory to identify funding opportunities
  
  

Operations & Coordination

• Track and report on client research hours to ensure efficient resource allocation
• Organize and manage workflows, task assignments, and feedback loops for research deliverables
• Collaborate with consultants to align research outputs with client needs
  
  

Administrative Support

• Format and maintain documentation, spreadsheets, and internal records
• Review research findings for clarity and accuracy before sharing with client teams
• Implement small process improvements to streamline operations
  
  

Success Looks Like

• Deliverables are timely, tailored, and exceed quality standards
• Research hours are monitored and used effectively across clients
• Internal teams are supported with proactive communication and reliable documentation
• Feedback is applied constructively to improve research outputs and systems
  
  

All Donorly team members engage in anti-racism work through trainings, retreats, and working groups. Some evening/weekend hours may be required (with advance notice).