Prospect Research Analyst

Summary : The Prospect Research Analyst is a key member of the Missouri Botanical Garden's Institutional Advancement team, using advanced research and analytical methods to identify, qualify, and rank high-potential prospects, current donors, and leadership volunteers in support of the Garden's fundraising initiatives. This role is essential to enhancing the effectiveness of annual / membership, planned, major, and leadership giving programs. The analyst will gather, synthesize, and present prospect research data and profiles to inform donor strategies, develop moves management plans, and support portfolio assignment and review. Collaborating closely with division leadership, the research analyst will help drive data-driven decisions and ensure a targeted approach to prospect engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Prospect Identification and Research : Conduct comprehensive research to identify and assess potential and current donors through various databases, public sources, and advanced research methodologies.
• Donor Profiles, Lists, and Strategy : Prepare written donor profiles, philanthropic capacity assessments, and qualified lists to inform cultivation, solicitation, stewardship strategies, and board identification.
• Portfolio Management Support : Partner with development staff to assign prospects to appropriate portfolios based on capacity, strategic alignment, and staff expertise. Support regular review of portfolios with Director of Major and Institutional Giving and gift officers and provide data-informed recommendations regarding next steps.
• Moves Management and Data Tracking : Maintain and update prospect data in Tessitura, the Garden's CRM, ensuring research findings, moves management steps, contact reports, and targeted communications are documented consistently. Create and monitor donor engagement scores
• Audience Segmentation Strategy : Provide data-driven insights to support the development of audience segmentation strategies for broader donor and member communications.
• Internal Collaboration and Project Management : Provide research support and exceptional service for fundraising leadership and internal partners. Actively manage research-related projects by coordinating tasks, monitoring follow-up actions, and ensuring timely completion of deliverables across multiple initiatives.
• Research Trend Awareness : Stay updated on the latest trends in donor behavior and research methods and tools to ensure that prospect research is current and effective.
• Ethical Standards and Compliance : Ensure all research is conducted ethically, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to guidelines set by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).
• Other Duties as Assigned : Collaborate with the Fundraising Data team on assignments beyond prospect research and moves management, supporting donor engagement strategies and broader departmental needs as necessary. Occasionally assists division colleagues during onsite events such as Garden Glow, weekend festivals, and fundraisers.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behave and communicate in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors / managers, volunteers, visitors and others.

Supervisory Responsibilities : None

Competencies :

Qualifications / Experience :

Education :

Language Skills :

Mathematical Skills :

Reasoning Ability :

Computer Skills :

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations :

Physical Demands :

Work Environment :