Remote Prospect Researcher Donor Strategy

Title: Prospect Researcher

Reports to: Managing Director, Development Strategy & Services

Location: US-Based Home Office

Status: Exempt;
Full Time

Salary Range*: $58,000 - $65,000 (IC2/B3)

Start Date: Immediate

Facing History & Ourselves is a global education non-profit organization that challenges teachers and students to use lessons of history to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate.

Role Summary

The Prospect Researcher identifies and analyzes information on individual and institutional donors to help the Development team build informed engagement strategies. By delivering a range of research products—from high-level snapshots to in-depth profiles—and conducting critical risk assessments, this role ensures the department has the actionable insights needed to grow the donor pipeline and support strong, well-informed relationship management.

Key Duties & Accountabilities

Prospect Research & Pipeline Intelligence (60%)

• Produce a standardized "menu" of research products, including in-depth donor profiles, meeting briefings, and at-a-glance event snapshots tailored to specific use cases for executive leadership, senior development staff, and regional teams.
• Perform research on both individual and institutional prospects (foundations and corporations) to map relationships and identify giving capacity, affinity, and philanthropic history.
• Conduct thorough due diligence and formal risk assessment vetting to protect the organization and ensure alignment with gift acceptance policies.
• Partner with event leads to prioritize guest lists and identify "must-know" prospects for signature fundraisers and cultivation events.
• Partner with the Managing Director, Institutional Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives and grant writing team to produce a steady stream of institutional prospects that support regional expansion.
• Manage the transition of "Raw Screening" (initial wealth data) into "Qualified Screening" by validating and confirming data to ensure a high-quality donor pipeline.
• Synthesize information from multiple sources into concise summaries for Development leadership and board bios.

• Dedicate consistent time to proactive prospecting to uncover high-potential individuals and institutions not yet assigned to a portfolio.
• Support specialized strategic needs, such as identifying candidates for Board pipeline growth, expansion into new geographies, and tracking philanthropic trends.
• Monitor external news and financial filings for indicators of new wealth or shifting interests among potential donors.

• Develop and deliver standard onboarding and refresher training to help Development staff navigate basic research tools and interpret profiles.
• Create role-specific guidance for staff on leveraging research tools (e.g., iWave) for local projects and relationship management.
• Establish and manage clear request protocols and turnaround standards to ensure the department understands how to access research services.

• Strong research and analytical abilities with a skill for synthesizing information from multiple sources into a clear narrative.
• Disciplined self-starter who takes initiative and manages their own research queue and project timelines independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for creating brief, readable formats for busy stakeholders.
• Customer-service mindset, characterized by responsiveness, professionalism, and a commitment to meeting established deadlines.
• High degree of discretion and integrity when handling sensitive or confidential donor information.

• Minimum 2 years of direct experience in prospect research with a proven track record of producing various research products, including profiles,…