Prospect Researcher - Cranbrook Educational Community

Sarah OBrien

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community includes the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Cranbrook Art Museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Cranbrook Schools, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound, and Cranbrook House & Gardens. Located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, twenty miles north of downtown Detroit, Cranbrook’s 319-acre campus is a National Historic Landmark District that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year to the Museum, Institute, and three historic houses. Cranbrook is also home to more than 150 graduate Academy students and 1,600 students in grades pre-K through 12 attending Cranbrook Schools.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Advancement Services, the Prospect Researcher will support Cranbrook Educational Community’s (CEC) Advancement Team by (i) providing detailed research and data that will inform donor outreach and strategic plans to further fundraising goals related to charitable and sponsorship revenues from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies, and (ii) provide assistance with the portfolio assignment and review process with the goal of advising CEC fundraisers on the optimization of their portfolios and the achievement of their fundraising goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and effective prospect research system, including management of research tools and processes.
• Proactively conduct research, data mining, and wealth screening initiatives to identify and rate new principal and major gift prospects (individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies) based on financial capacity, philanthropic tendencies, giving propensity, and affiliations or affinities.
• Research biographical and financial data on previously identified individuals and seek to expand the rated pool of prospects through industry-standard web-based research resources, review of daily donor reports, news alerts, event attendance, etc. and share relevant information with colleagues and update constituent records. Synthesize information and analyze data to provide interpretation, insight, and recommendations regarding donor research findings, including suggested solicitors and potential gift ranges.
• Create in-depth biographical and financial profiles and tailored briefings on volunteer leadership and principal and major gift prospects for staff and volunteers, producing requested research materials in a timely manner.
• Train, as needed, on the use of research tools, collection, and recording of information to ensure data integrity, database proficiency, and consistency and support a high level of confidence in resulting profiles, ratings, and reports.
• Assist with the development of training curriculum and materials for the Advancement Team related to prospect research policies, procedures, systems, and applications.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of donor information and adhere to the ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both the CEC and APRA.
• All other responsibilities and tasks as assigned by the Director of Advancement Services.
• Maintain attendance, punctuality, and performance standards set forth in Cranbrook’s Employee Handbook.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a related field, such as Journalism, History, English, Business, or Library Science
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in prospect and donor research.
• Comprehensive understanding of the tools utilized, and the fundamentals involved with fundraising research.
• Experience with DonorSearch and Blackbaud products, specifically RENXT and Research Point, preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, high-level organizational and computer skills.
• Ability to work successfully with CEC Advancement colleagues and senior leaders.
• Comprehensive understanding of the tools utilized, and the fundamentals involved with fundraising research.
• Ability to produce concise research documents with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage deadlines.
• Experience with web platforms will be favorably considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a higher-education or major cultural institution setting.
• Experience working in a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
• Familiarity with financial information, including proxy statements, annual reports, SEC documents and stock holdings.
  
  

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Requires excellent written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with diverse user groups. Must be able to effectively communicate technical information to non-technical constituents. Discretion is essential for handling highly confidential and potentially sensitive information, including but not limited to financial and personal background about prospects and donors.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT/PROBLEM SOLVING: Demonstrated ability to think logically, analyze, and provide complex problem resolution. Candidates must possess sound judgment and the ability to work collaboratively within a complex organization to support strategic goals and objectives.

WORK COMPLEXITY: A high level of accuracy and attention to detail is needed. Must be organized and able to prioritize multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.

CREATIVITY/INNOVATION: Creativity is required to combine system rules and tools with new and/or changing requests to provide meaningful, accurate data and reports.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, such as the ability to see, hear, speak, and understand English and use a computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The functions of this position are performed in a typical office environment.