Philanthropic Research for charities and schools
What is prospect research and why do it?
Prospect research helps charities and schools build long term relationships with donors, alumni and supporters.
Prospect research can help you avoid wasting time and effort by using data and other evidence based insights to develop fundraising strategies that are more likely to succeed.
Research has shown that a properly briefed fundraiser feels more confident when approaching a prospect, leading to a more satisfying relationship for both parties*.
*The role of prospect research in major donor fundraising, Nicola Williams, April 2019
Where to start?
Your next major gift could well come from an existing donor currently hiding in plain sight in your database.
Like pebbles on a beach, all donors can look similar on the surface. Prospect research can guide you to look a bit closer and identify those donors who are not only highly committed to your cause but also have the means and connections to make a long-lasting, and in some cases transformational, change to your cause.
Services offered
Data mining and prospect identification from your own database.
Help with strategies for approaching and managing major donors, through the moves process, towards a gift.
Preparing detailed research profiles to determine your best prospects and their area of greatest interest
Bespoke training to up-skill your team.
About Nicki
Nicki Sayers is the Manager, Donor and Prospect Research at Victoria University of Wellington where she supports a team of major gift officers.
In addition, Nicki works freelance with charities and schools and covers all aspects of prospect research and management from discovery through to pitching the ask.
As one of only a handful of dedicated prospect researchers in New Zealand, and with twenty years experience as a fundraiser and researcher, Nicki is regularly asked to share her specialist knowledge and has presented webinars and at conferences for FINZ and Educate Plus.