Position Title: Prospect Research Analyst
Department: 1410 - Development
Classification: Exempt
Direct Report: Vice President of Development
Position Summary:
The Prospect Research Analyst will lead the identification, evaluation, and strategic analysis of potential donors to support fundraising efforts. This role ensures that development staff have access to high-quality, actionable intelligence about donor capacity, affinity, and philanthropic interests. This person also oversees data integrity, and ongoing refinement and implementation of research methodologies to provide a more robust and better-qualified constituent pool for cultivation and effective solicitations.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and direct prospect research and management tools and services related to the effective identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and tracking of top prospects (individuals, families, corporations, and foundations).
- Conduct in-depth research on individuals, families, corporations, and foundations using public records, databases, and news sources.
- Produce detailed donor profiles and capacity assessments.
- Identify new prospects through proactive research and wealth screening.
- Maintain and analyze donor pipelines in CRM systems.
- Collaborate with fundraisers to prioritize prospects and manage portfolios.
- Develop and implement guidance and metrics with development partners.
- Lead regular prospect strategy meetings and track donor engagement stages.
- Support moves management by documenting donor interactions and strategies.
- Ensure accuracy and consistency of donor data across systems.
- Develop and implement rating methodologies for donor capacity and affinity.
- Train staff on data entry standards and use of research tools.
- Generate reports to support fundraising planning and performance tracking.
- Lead ongoing evaluation and refinement of entire function, including research methods, products, and procedures to meet fundraisers’ evolving needs.
- Conduct due diligence on prospective donors in line with ethical fundraising policies.
- Champion best practices in prospect research and data governance.
- Commitment to maintain and model confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Liaise with major gifts, corporate partnerships, events, and stewardship teams.
- Contribute to strategic planning for fundraising campaigns and appeals.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 3–5 years of experience in prospect research or fundraising analytics.
- Strong analytical and writing skills; ability to synthesize complex data.
- Expertise regarding best practices in prospect research and development operations.
- Proficiency in prospect research tools and CRM systems.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Commitment:
I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:
Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.
Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.
Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion
