Assistant Director of Prospect Research

Position Summary

Trinity is a highly selective, independent, nonsectarian liberal arts institution located in the capital city of Hartford, Connecticut. The college maintains a rigorous academic profile complemented by a vibrant co‑curricular program. With more than 2,100 full‑time undergraduate students, representing forty‑three states and ninety‑one countries, we consider our location in a culturally and socio‑economically diverse capital city to be among Trinity’s most distinctive assets;

and we cultivate strong connections with our surrounding neighbors and with institutions and organizations throughout Hartford and the region. As a preeminent liberal arts college in an urban setting, Trinity College prepares students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives.
Reporting to the Director of Prospect Research & Information Systems, primary responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Research include conducting complex and independent research. This entails reviewing biographical and financial information on individuals to assess donor giving potential based on assets and income and requires the ability to follow industry and corporation‑specific information for top donors and prospects. Monitor economic trends through financial publications and services, SEC filings, corporate disclosures, and trade publications to quantify a donor prospect’s ability to give based on new and pre‑existing sources of wealth, and to determine the gift‑ask amounts and timing of the approach.

Prepare analytical reports that summarize and synthesize data and other critical information to be used in creating and cultivating fundraising strategies. Advise in creating fundraising strategy. Write donor prospect briefings for development team and engage in ongoing consultation with respect to potential donors.

• Identify, investigate, analyze, organize and evaluate information yielded from a variety of sources (electronic and print) to determine a donor prospect’s financial capacity, ability to give, philanthropic interests, and relationship to Trinity College.
• Devise research strategies and methods including developing creative research methods to identify potential donors and/or new donor prospects. Identify the type of information to look for and determine what relevant donor information (biographical and financial, philanthropic interest, history of previous donations, prior Trinity solicitation, etc.) is needed to craft fundraising and cultivation strategies.
• Write detailed prospect briefings for fundraising‑related meetings and functions attended by development staff, college administrators and key volunteers.
• Identify new sources of wealth and track existing sources.
• Analyze financial publications and corporate disclosures to deepen relationships with current donors and to identify new donor prospects to build a robust Trinity College donor base.
• Investigate new donor prospects and constantly re‑evaluate and monitor established donor sources in preparation for computing wealth assessments.
• Proactively monitor and request updates on biographical information held on our CRM, including relationship and contact information.
• Special Projects (as requested)

• Minimum of 3‑5 years of related work experience. Experience in prospect research is preferred.
• Familiarity with standard biographical and financial reference sources required, as well as knowledge of basic research practices. Ability to review, interpret and synthesize a large volume of data into clear, concise analysis while working in a deadline and detail‑oriented environment.
• Superior written and oral communication skills in working with confidential data. Ability to deliver analysis with an appropriate balance of brevity and substance and convey financial, statistical and industry information in accessible language.
• Strong computer skills; facility with learning new databases and with the internet.
• Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills with ability to initiate and apply creative solutions. Native curiosity and interest in learning new things. Capable of generating new approaches to uncovering difficult to…