Prospect Researcher

Position Title: Prospect Researcher

Reports To: VP, Philanthropic Partnerships

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

The part-time Prospect Researcher advances CNIB’s fundraising priorities by identifying, researching and qualifying prospective individual, corporate and foundation donors across Canada. The role provides timely, strategic intelligence that helps frontline fundraisers and Philanthropy leaders build strong portfolios, develop donor strategies, manage the prospect pipeline and make evidence-informed decisions.

The Prospect Researcher interprets and synthesizes information from internal records and credible external sources into clear, concise and actionable research products. The role assesses philanthropic capacity, affinity, relationships and giving potential; supports due diligence and reputational review; and identifies gaps and opportunities within fundraiser portfolios and the broader pipeline. Success requires excellent research, analysis, writing and organizational skills, sound judgment, discretion and the ability to manage competing priorities while building productive internal relationships.

II. Essential Functions

Prospect Identification, Research and Qualification

• Identify, research and qualify prospective individual, corporate and foundation donors using CNIB records, database screening, data mining, list segmentation, constituency screening and credible public sources.
• Assess prospects’ philanthropic capacity, affinity, connections, interests and giving potential to support cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Prepare clear, concise and strategic prospect profiles, briefing notes, research summaries, relationship maps, tables, charts and other products for fundraisers and senior leaders.
• Respond to timely and ad hoc research requests, including corporate, foundation, industry, sector, stakeholder and geographic research.
• Monitor print and online sources for developments involving companies, people and issues that may affect CNIB’s fundraising strategies or donor relationships.
• Conduct due diligence and reputational research related to prospective donors, significant gifts, naming opportunities and other institutional relationships, escalating material concerns appropriately.

Portfolio and Pipeline Management

• Support prospect identification and qualification for CNIB priorities, with particular attention to gaps at priority gift levels and areas of institutional need.
• Work with fundraisers to review portfolio composition, activity and priorities and recommend opportunities to strengthen portfolios.
• Monitor the prospect pipeline to identify unassigned, under-managed, inactive or stalled prospects requiring research, qualification, reassignment or other action.
• Support prospect assignment and reassignment processes and maintain accurate prospect, portfolio, proposal and relationship information in CNIB’s fundraising CRM.
• Analyze portfolio and pipeline information and prepare reports, lists, dashboards, gift tables and other materials to support fundraising planning and leadership decision-making.
• Proactively update prospect records and document sources, ratings, recommendations and relevant changes in a timely and consistent manner.

Strategic Research, Practice and Continuous Improvement

• Conduct benchmarking, environmental scans and other strategic research to support Philanthropy priorities and organizational decision-making.
• Develop and maintain research processes, procedures, templates, source documentation and service standards, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Keep current with prospect development practices, emerging technologies, research tools, privacy requirements and sector trends.
• Use approved artificial intelligence tools thoughtfully and responsibly to improve research efficiency, synthesize information, identify patterns and advance prospect identification and qualification, while validating outputs and protecting confidential information.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy, Gift Management, Finance, Marketing and Communications, Programs and other CNIB teams to support strong data quality and consistent prospect development practices.
• Adhere to applicable privacy laws and to APRA, AFP, CAGP and CNIB standards for ethics, discretion, confidentiality and responsible use of information.

• Identify, research and qualify prospective individual, corporate and foundation donors using CNIB records, database screening, data mining, list segmentation, constituency screening and credible public sources.
• Assess prospects’ philanthropic capacity, affinity, connections, interests and giving potential to support cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Prepare clear, concise and strategic prospect profiles, briefing notes, research summaries, relationship maps, tables, charts and other products for fundraisers and senior leaders.
• Respond to timely and ad hoc research requests, including corporate, foundation, industry, sector, stakeholder and geographic research.
• Monitor print and online sources for developments involving companies, people and issues that may affect CNIB’s fundraising strategies or donor relationships.
• Conduct due diligence and reputational research related to prospective donors, significant gifts, naming opportunities and other institutional relationships, escalating material concerns appropriately.

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Strong research, analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to assess source credibility, relevance and strategic significance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise and actionable research products.
• Sound judgment and discretion when working with confidential, sensitive or reputational information.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy, documentation and data quality.
• Knowledge of prospect research methodologies, advanced internet search strategies, electronic databases, public records and online research tools.
• Comfort learning and using new AI-enabled research tools, with the judgment to verify sources and outputs, recognize limitations or bias, and apply CNIB privacy, confidentiality and information-security requirements.
• Ability to interpret and summarize biographical, corporate, financial, philanthropic and relationship information.
• Ability to analyze prospect portfolios and pipelines and identify trends, gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Strong organizational, time-management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, exercise initiative and build effective professional relationships with fundraisers, leaders and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience with a fundraising CRM or comparable constituent relationship management database is required. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or Raiser’s Edge NXT is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, philanthropy, advancement or prospect development practices is required.
• Personal or professional experience relating to blindness, Deafblindness or sight loss, assistive technology or accessible environments is considered an asset.

Experience and Education

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in library and information science, business, fundraising, communications, social sciences or a related field.
• Three to five years of related experience in prospect research, prospect development, fundraising or advancement research, market research, business intelligence or a related field with demonstrated application to philanthropic work.
• Experience working in a national, healthcare, community, academic or other complex organization is considered an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Work Environment

• Part-time office or hybrid work environment, with a work schedule established based on organizational needs and prolonged periods of computer-based research and analysis.
• Occasional travel or flexible hours may be required to support organizational priorities.
• CNIB reserves the right to change, amend or discontinue this job description at any time. This document is intended to provide an overview of the position’s responsibilities and qualifications.