Development Research Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Summary Statement

The Development Research Associate plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s fundraising efforts by providing insightful, accurate, and strategic research on donors and prospects. This position analyzes donor data, identifies giving trends, evaluates donor capacity, and ensures the accuracy of all constituent information. The analyst provides essential intelligence that strengthens donor cultivation, stewardship, major gift solicitation, and overall fundraising strategy.

Responsibilities

Prospect & Donor Research

• Conducts detailed constituent research on individuals, corporations, and foundations to support the development staff in their efforts to increase donor participation, enhance donor cultivation and stewardship, create and manage solicitation strategies, develop strategic plans for major gifts initiatives, and improve the accuracy of all donor information maintained by the organization.
• Completes the required research to ensure the accuracy and availability of personal, philanthropic, and professional information related to the strategic cultivation and solicitation of prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Evaluates donor capacity, affinity, and philanthropic interests to develop prospect profiles, briefings, and research summaries for fundraising staff and leadership.
• Identifies new prospects through proactive research and data-driven prospecting tools.

Data Management & Analysis

• Creates queries and analytical custom reports that allow in-depth analysis of income trends, donor attrition, donor retention, and similar statistics to assess the success of all fundraising projects and initiatives.
• Maintains accurate, updated donor records and ensures data integrity within the donor database.
• Monitors donor engagement patterns and provides data insights to guide cultivation strategies.
• Supports the development of segmentation strategies to enhance annual giving, stewardship, and major donor pipelines.

Collaboration & Strategic Support

• Works closely with development officers, annual giving staff, major gifts staff, and leadership to support fundraising strategy with research insights and prospect intelligence.
• Assists in campaign planning by contributing data analytics, prospect identification, and research support.
• Prepares research reports and donor briefings for meetings, events, and solicitation opportunities.
• Participates in team meetings and collaborates in the creation of fundraising strategies.

Compliance & Confidentiality

• Ensures all research and data collection practices adhere to ethical standards, privacy regulations, and organizational policies.
• Protects the confidentiality of donor information and organizational strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, data analytics, or related field preferred.
• Minimum three years experience in a not-for-profit organization or related business environment
• Experience with nonprofit fundraising, donor databases, or research tools strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, reporting tools, and CRM systems.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Conducts detailed constituent research on individuals, corporations, and foundations to support the development staff in their efforts to increase donor participation, enhance donor cultivation and stewardship, create and manage solicitation strategies, develop strategic plans for major gifts initiatives, and improve the accuracy of all donor information maintained by the organization.
• Completes the required research to ensure the accuracy and availability of personal and professional information relatedto the strategic cultivation and solicitation of prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Creates queries and analytical custom reports that allow in-depth analysis of income trends, donor attrition, and similar statistics to assess the success of all fundraising projects and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and an ability to work cooperatively in a collaborative work environment.  Must be detail-oriented and highly organized with the ability to prioritize workload.
• Proficiency in a database, spreadsheet, word processing, and publication software.
• Knowledge of data collection principles and research methods.  Ability to conduct thorough research, assimilate information, and produce comprehensive reports

Physical Demands

This position requires sitting, standing, walking, stoop, lift, carrying items, and climbing a ladder. May lift and move objects weighing from 5 to 25 lbs. May lift and transport objects over 25 lbs. using a hand truck or cart. Local travel may be required.