Description

Position Summary

The Senior Associate, Prospect Research, advances the organization’s strategic goals by providing high-quality research, analysis, and data management. The Senior Associate compiles, tracks, and maintains information to help AWF fundraisers make informed decisions about current and prospective donors and partners. This position identifies and reports on business and civic affiliations, wealth indicators, philanthropic giving, interests, contact information, and networks. The role also supports institutional partnership strategies for both new and existing foundations and corporations. 

This reports to the Prospect Research Manager and will be working in close collaboration with internal stakeholders and external vendors. The Senior Associate enhances research operations by recommending process improvements, tools, and methodologies to support the ongoing evolution of AWF’s Prospect Research function.

Salary: $57,000-$63,000

Key Responsibilities

• Adhere to AWF’s confidentiality policies, donor profiling strategies, data analysis guidelines, and prospect rating systems to ensure accuracy and ethical handling of donor data.
• Create comprehensive donor and prospect profiles and meeting briefs that provide fundraisers with insight and analysis for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Synthesize and interpret financial and philanthropic data from multiple sources to evaluate donor capacity and affinity.
• Conduct in-depth research on individuals, foundations, and corporations to qualify new and existing prospects in alignment with AWF’s strategic fundraising priorities.
• Proactively identify and present new leads during collaborative fundraiser meetings to help build the individual donor pipeline.
• Map relationships and networks to uncover connections between organizations and individuals known to AWF, leveraging strategic introductions to new potential prospects.
• Maintain and enhance the accuracy and strategic value of donor information within Raiser’s Edge, ensuring data integrity and continuity across fundraising operations.
• Support training and knowledge-sharing efforts by orienting fundraising staff to research tools, data protocols, and best practices in prospect development.
• Build and sustain effective, collaborative relationships with internal partners and external vendor contacts to advance AWF’s fundraising goals.
• Contribute to the continued evolution of AWF’s prospect research function by recommending process improvements, new tools, and methods to increase efficiency and insight generation.
• Support operational and administrative tasks as needed. 

Requirements

Key Qualifications 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, English, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, or Non-profit Management preferred.
• Experience: 2–3 years of dedicated experience in prospect research, or 3–5 years of equivalent professional experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skill in leveraging research tools (e.g., Foundation Directory, iWave, LexisNexis, RelSci, Wealth-X) and CRM databases; knowledge of Blackbaud products preferred.
• Analytical Skillset: Demonstrated ability to synthesize large volumes of complex data into actionable fundraising insights and present findings clearly and concisely.
• Operational Execution: Proven self-starter capable of managing multiple diverse, deadline-driven projects simultaneously with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong writing and verbal skills with the ability to work independently and effectively across diverse teams, personalities, and time zones.