Prospect Researcher

at  DREAM

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
The Prospect Researcher plays a critical role in expanding DREAM’s donor base through proactive prospect sourcing, research, and cultivation. Reporting to the Managing Director of Advancement Strategy and Operations, the Prospect Researcher will build a strong new donor acquisition program that will source and qualify donors through research, strategic cultivation and fundraising events and partner with fundraising leads to build robust major gifts portfolios across the team. This role is a great opportunity for someone looking to evolve and grow a prospect research function as part of building a best-in-class major gifts program.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an expansive and strategic approach to prospect research, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, thoroughness, and meticulous record-keeping.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred;
• Three plus years of dedicated prospect research experience in a non-profit setting;
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and organize work streams with high attention to detail and meet deadlines;
• Ability to quickly evaluate and synthesize large volumes of information into concise and actionable insights;
• Strong knowledge of research and wealth screening tools, along with experience using database applications for prospect identification and management;
• Analytical mindset and ability to use data to support efficiencies and strategies;
• Curiosity and ability to connect dots between donors and prospects;
• Strong entrepreneurial skills, a take-initiative attitude, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to create positive working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

• Prospect Research and Identification
• Proactively identify potential prospects from a variety of sources, including databases, networks, and external events;
• Prepare and present detailed research reports on donor biographies, philanthropic interests, and giving capacity;
• Synthesize research into various documents to support the fundraising process, including in-depth prospect and donor profiles, biographies, lists, and meeting briefings;
• Execute relationship mapping for DREAM volunteer leaders and top donors;
• Utilize research and wealth screening tools, along with experience using database applications for prospect identification and management;
• Monitor news, trends, and wealth events to maintain up-to-date intelligence on high-net-worth individuals and potential donors.

Donor Pipeline Building and Management

• Manage regular prospect reviews with frontline fundraisers to refresh portfolios and build their prospect pools;
• Collaborate with team leaders in portfolio reviews, prioritization, and qualification of new prospects;

• Provide strategic recommendations for donor engagement based on research findings, ensuring alignment with DREAM’s new donor acquisition strategy.

Systems and Operations

• Build systems, tools, and workflows to grow and evolve DREAM’s prospect research function;
• Track and report KPIs measuring prospecting activity and results;
• Maintain and analyze data on prospective and existing donors;
• Assist in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of records in the donor database.