Description
Position Summary: Help develop a strategic, technology-enabled prospect research program that enables Unity’s Philanthropy department to identify top donor prospects and grow annual, capital and planned gifts toward the organization’s fundraising goals.
Essential Job Functions:
- Conduct prospect research on individuals, corporations and foundations using online, print and in-house sources and staff feedback, and provide quantitative and qualitative information on Unity’s major donors.
- Train staff in compiling and analyzing prospect research.
- Serve as Philanthropy’s subject-matter expert on prospect research and donor-data technology; with the Director, evaluate, select and help implement CRM, wealth-screening, AI-enabled research tools and data providers.
- Partner with the Communications team, which leads mid- and lower-tier donor communications, by providing donor data, segmentation and research insight that keep annual giving and stewardship messaging aligned with major-gift strategy.
- Maintain a library of prospect research resources, including books, periodicals, online databases and website bookmarks, for staff use.
- Manage the budget for the research library and other philanthropy research costs.
- Research new-to-file major donors and supporters attending retreats, events and campus visits, and identify potential donors for specific projects, products and services. Alert staff to high-capacity or high-propensity donors to maximize the effectiveness of trips and interactions.
- Provide ongoing reports, including weekly CEO and special project reports, monthly donor reports, quarterly giving reports and others as assigned.
- Organize and lead prospect management strategy sessions.
- Create a gift planning calendar and implement year-round activities, such as emails, eblasts and donor surveys, to identify, educate and recognize planned giving donors.
- Work with departments across the organization to ensure donations, including pledges and capital campaign gifts, are accurately recorded and acknowledged.
- Manage the donor acknowledgement program end to end: research and order acknowledgements, confirm inscription accuracy and honor donor intent for placement and installation.
- Gather, analyze and report data to measure each team member’s performance, including annual giving, campaign giving, planned gifts and donor contacts.
- Regular and reliable attendance at the worksite/telework.
- Adhere to all company and departmental policies and procedures per the guidebook including all safety requirements including all safety guidelines.
- Utilize electronic time management system to input time, attendance and paid off request.
Non-Essential Job Functions:
- Support other divisions as requested.
- Participate in organizational planning and/or attend special events.
- Attend business meetings and take minutes to distribute, as assigned.
- Utilize electronic time management system to input time and attendance. Review and approve time records on behalf of Director, as needed.
Qualifications
Competency Statement(s):
Problem Solving: Able to critically analyze issues/concerns and identify appropriate solutions.
Accountability: Accepts responsibility for personal actions demonstrates integrity and maintains confidentiality. Demonstrates excellent customer service and a commitment to spiritual growth and continuous learning.
Values: Ability to demonstrate Unity’s core values
Education: Bachelor’s degree in fundraising or related field required or equal work equivalency.
Experience:
- At least five years’ experience working in a Philanthropy or Development office.
- Ability to work when needed, including some travel and hours outside the 4-day workweek.
- In-depth knowledge of donor CRM platforms (e.g., ACS, Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, Virtuous, or comparable) required, with demonstrated interest in adopting new fundraising technology, including AI-enabled research tools.
- Experience with wealth screening and prospect research platforms (e.g., iWave, DonorSearch, WealthEngine, or comparable) strongly preferred.
- Superior Internet search skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- High comfort level with ambiguity and evolving institutional priorities.
- Interpersonal skills that support goals while fostering positive team and organizational morale.
- Demonstrated outstanding communications skills.
- Experience training staff on databases and Microsoft Office desired.
- Attention to detail and ethical information gathering expected.
Computer Skills:
- Minimum advanced end-user of MS Office: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook/Calendar. Advanced PC keyboarding skills.
- Knowledge of social media, blogging and web-based communications.
Certificates & Licenses:
Other Requirements: Demonstrated successful experience retaining sensitive and confidential information.
Knowledge of Unity principles preferred. Skills testing required at time of application: MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
|
Activity |
Frequency |
|
Inside Work |
C |
|
Outside Work |
N/A |
|
Use of Hands/Fingers |
C |
|
Lifting/Carrying: 25 lbs. Max |
F |
|
Climb- Stairs/Ladders |
O |
|
Reach (select): Overhead /Forward |
N/A |
|
Sitting/Workstation |
F |
|
Traveling |
O |
|
Exposure to Hazards |
N/A |
|
Excessive Noise |
N/A |
|
Exposure to Temperatures |
N/A |
|
Operate Computer |
C |
|
Talk/Communicate: |
C |
|
Operate Company Vehicles |
C |
|
Taste/Smell: |
N/A |
|
Standing/Walking |
F |
|
Stoop/Kneel/Crouch/Crawl |
O |
|
Read/See/Hear |
C |
|
Operating Company: Copier, Fax, Printer, Telephone System |
C |
|
Personal Protection Equipment: |
N/A |
|
N/A Not Applicable Activity - Not applicable to this occupation O Occasionally Position requires this activity up to 0-27% of the time (02.5 or < hrs/day) F Frequently Position requires this activity up to 27-61% of the time (02.5-5.5 hrs/day) C Constantly Position requires this activity up to 61-100% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day) |
|
Additional Information
Work Environment: Office Environment

