New Best Practices in Prospect Research
BriefCASE Article If done effectively, prospect research has the potential to substantially improve the fundraising efforts of higher education institutions. A new report, based on an analysis of survey data from a cross-section of institutions in the United States, identifies 10 of the best practices used by high-performing fundraising programs.

Crème de la Crème
CURRENTS Article In 2011, 268 bronze, silver, gold, and grand gold Circle of Excellence awards went to 171 colleges, universities, independent schools, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Eight of those grand gold and gold award winners are profiled here.

Champions. Friends. Acquaintances. Donor Motivation Defined: A Lifestyle Segmentation Study Focused on the Attitudes, Motivations and Giving Behaviors of Alumni
Converge Consulting in alliance with CASE
CASE White Paper Which alumni are most likely to become donors? This October 2011 white paper, the first in a series of three, explores the results of a study on the relation of alumni attitudes to the motivation to give.

Fundraising Analytics for Prospect Development
Product This webinar introduces the topic of predictive analytics and shows how fundraisers can use it in their jobs. This multimedia file is a recording of an Online Speaker Series webinar originally presented May 24, 2011.

The Science Behind Alumni Engagement
CURRENTS Article As part of an effort to double fundraising over the next 10 years, the University of Waterloo surveyed its alumni and purchased external data to determine how to move potential leaders into a more active role with the university.

Map Quest
CURRENTS Article Wealth and philanthropy are undergoing a dramatic global shift, and fundraisers at educational institutions must respond by looking beyond their national borders for prospective donors. In this article, consultant Jay Frost provides tips on how to do successful international prospect research using Sherpa guides, database screening, etc.

Implications of Social Media Information for Fundraising and Prospect Research
Product This seminar explores the use of social networks in leveraging communication, data and technology to increase the outreach and impact of fundraising efforts. Discussion points include strategy development for acquiring data on constituents via social networks and the integration of data collection and analysis efforts. This multimedia file is a recording of an Online Speaker Series webinar originally presented June 15, 2010.

Prospect Pipeline--Or, How to Make Friends Efficiently
Product This webinar gives information about the prospect pipeline--a practical approach to managing the process of converting prospects into long-term donors. The model can be applied at institutions small and large. This multimedia file is a recording of an Online Speaker Series webinar originally presented March 18, 2010.

Study Reveals Top Strategies for Better Prospecting
BriefCASE Article A new study identifies eight best practices in prospect research based on high-performing fundraising programs at 61 institutions in the United States.

Best Practices for Prospect Research in Higher Education Fundraising
WealthEngine
This free 60+ page report results from a five-month research initiative that included an in-depth survey of colleges and universities and qualitative interviews with development professionals. It outlines eight best practices, details five university case studies and includes helpful return on investment worksheets to help readers achieve success in prospect research and overall development efforts. (Free registration required to download report.)

Kaleidoscope of Prospect Development: The Shapes and Shades of Major Donor Prospecting
Product This definitive book covers all aspects of prospect development and discusses tools and practices, data mining and database screening, volunteer screening, fact finding, rating, prospect pyramids, tracking and management, gift accounting and stewardship.

Data-Driven Major Gifts: Predicting the Pipeline
Product Data-driven decision making is a growing discipline within advancement research and has applications to donor segmentation and prospecting. This webinar discusses modeling techniques to help grow a major gift pipeline. This multimedia file is a recording of an Online Speaker Series webinar originally presented Oct. 30, 2008.

Do Not Disturb
CURRENTS Article Facts can be taken out of context and used in unwelcome ways. This is the crux of the problem of privacy and the prospect researcher.

Major Donors: Finding Big Gifts In Your Database and Online
Product This book presents an approach to developing international fundraising strategies. Citing real world success and failures from organization around the world, this practical manual shares strategies, techniques, examples, research, knowledge, advice and ideas about researching potential donors more effectively and focusing on approaching those with identified resources and demonstrated interest.

No Leaf Unturned
CURRENTS Article Research consultants helped the advancement team at University of Wisconsin-Superior think of their development efforts as a small business and showed them how to grow it, even with limited staff and resources.

Gifts Are in the Details
CURRENTS Article Advancement researchers are helping development officers not only identify prospects more efficiently, but also analyze fund-raising efforts for more successful campaigns.

AdvanceWork: Where's the Beef?
CURRENTS Article An nfpSynergy study of donor frustrations with United Kingdom charities offers some lessons for education institutions to bear in mind as they communicate with their supporters. The report, titled “Disgusted or delighted,” suggests that UK donors are most concerned about how their gifts are being used. Respondents also cited frustrations with direct-mail appeals (61 percent) and telephone solicitations (43 percent).

Goals and Assists
CURRENTS Article Prospect researchers and development officers must form a partnership to identify potential donors' ability, interest, and desire to give. This article provides three guidelines for building a productive relationship and includes a table showing the differences in the information that researchers and development officers are likely to uncover. This article is of interest to development officers and prospect researchers.

Read the Writing on the Wall (Street)
CURRENTS Article Certain business activities create deadlines for tax-favorable giving for owners, insiders, or major stockholders. Development officers need to monitor their prospects' holdings for these deadlines and to encourage gifts at advantageous times. Individuals who might merit extra attention include public company insiders, intrapreneurs, and private company owners and executives. The article describes how to identify and respond to two important types of deadline-oriented developments: mergers and initial public offerings. A sidebar provides a guide to related business terms.