- Prepare a strategy for handling prospect research.
- Clean up old prospect data.
- Analyze prospect screening results.
- Go get those checks.
Step #1: Prepare a Strategy for Handling Prospect Research
I know, I know, those prospect screening results come hot off the press, into your hands, and you’re bouncing with excitement to dig through the endless columns of data. Your energy is great, but you don’t want to jump the gun. Remember the six P’s: Prior proper planning prevents poor performance. Questions to ask yourself:- What are your fundraising goals?
- What high-level fundraising approaches will you implement with your data?
- Who manages your prospect screening process and implements it into the broader fundraising strategy?
Step #2: Clean Up Old Prospect Data
A major task is taking a proverbial mop in hand and cleaning out the cobwebs from your old database. The worst thing you could do is to pile new research on top of previous clutter. Database areas to focus on include:- Donor contact information
- Important internal giving data
- Existing relationship data
Step #3: Develop a Solicitation Plan
A proper solicitation plan prevents you from stretching your staff too thin once the prospect screening results roll in. Questions to ask yourself:- Do you have a communications strategy in place?
- Will you use direct mail, email, in-person conversations, or another solicitation technique?
- How much time and what tasks will each staff member be responsible for?

Step #4: Analyze Prospect Screening Results
Time is a finite resource and there are too many donors to reach out to. Your screening results provide a wealth of information, and deciphering that data allows you to best allocate your time and effort to serious major gift prospects. Companies such as DonorSearch provide prospect scores to ameliorate the data analysis process. Instead of reading column after column after column, important prospect giving indicators are conglomerated into a comprehensible score. Time is money, and money won’t come unless you maximize your time spent interacting with the best prospects. You’ll also want to update your solicitation process in order to make the most efficient use of your time and resources. The new data could influence what types of prospects you target or where you choose to travel. A good practice is to share the data across all relevant departments. After all, you’re a team, and you never know who might notice a hidden but important piece of information.Step #5: Go Get Those Checks
You’ve planned. And planned. And analyzed. And planned. Now is the time to iron those shirts, dust off those telephones, and reap the benefits of your prospect research. When talking to prospective donors, keep track of your conversations for two reasons:- Major gifts can take awhile, so it’s important to keep tabs on major donors.
- Donors may not be ready to make a major gift, but could be eligible in the future.
You’re well on your way to becoming a prospect research savant. When you can send a nicer piece of mail or provide a more personal conversation to a prospect who is likely to give a four or five-figure gift, you stand a much better chance of receiving a positive response. It’s not a short or easy process, but it’s hard work that will pay off. Want more prospect research advice? Discover more expert tips in these additional resources: Prospect Research Guide: For more in-depth information prospect research, check out our ultimate guide. You’ll learn the ins and outs of prospect research and how to incorporate it into your fundraising strategy. Prospect Research Templates: If your nonprofit is looking for a simple way to track the donor data your gain from prospect research or are unsure of what types of information to collect, this article is for you. Get a free template on prospect research to help you stay organized. Major Donor Strategies: As you conduct your prospect research, you may find that you also want to conduct wealth screening to identify major donors. This guide will help you craft a fundraising strategy to attract your major donors.
