Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development

About the role

The Franklin Institute seeks a collaborative, analytical, and detail-oriented Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development to support prospect research, prospect development, donor pipeline management, and portfolio optimization efforts within the External Affairs team. Reporting to the Director of External Affairs Operations and Strategy, this role will identify, qualify, and prioritize individual, corporate, and foundation prospects with major gift potential while providing data-driven insights that inform fundraising strategy and decision-making. The Manager will conduct prospect research and wealth analysis, support donor qualification and portfolio management processes, and prepare donor briefings, prospect profiles, and performance reports that enable fundraisers and organizational leaders to engage prospective donors effectively. Working closely with frontline fundraising staff, the External Affairs Operations team, and organizational leadership, this position will play a key role in maintaining a robust donor pipeline, supporting moves management activities, and advancing fundraising initiatives aligned with The Franklin Institute's strategic priorities and campaign goals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect research and prospect development activities by analyzing wealth indicators, philanthropic giving history, professional affiliations, engagement data, and publicly available information to assess donor capacity, affinity, and inclination.
• Support wealth screening, prospect identification, and prospect qualification initiatives in partnership with the External Affairs Operations Manager; evaluate screening results and recommend prospects for qualification, assignment, cultivation, or disqualification.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects to support a sustainable donor pipeline aligned with organizational fundraising priorities and campaign goals.
• Manage the Mission Wow! campaign pipeline, maintain accurate moves management records, and support donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities in collaboration with frontline fundraisers.
• Coordinate and facilitate prospect management and portfolio management review meetings; present research findings, qualification recommendations, and portfolio insights in a clear and actionable manner.
• Analyze donor pipeline, portfolio performance, and fundraising activity data to identify opportunities for improved prospect qualification, assignment, engagement, and portfolio optimization.
• Produce prospect profiles, donor briefings, research reports, fundraising dashboards, and portfolio analyses to support strategic decision-making by fundraising staff and organizational leadership.
• Maintain accurate prospect, donor, relationship, and portfolio records within the organization's CRM, ensuring data integrity and adherence to prospect management standards.
• Create and maintain documentation, procedures, and training resources related to prospect research, donor pipeline management, portfolio management, wealth screening, and fundraising operations; assist with onboarding and staff training as needed.
• Stay current on trends, tools, technologies, and best practices in prospect research, prospect development, advancement services, fundraising analytics, and philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with CRM and fundraising database platforms, such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar systems, including experience maintaining constituent records, prospect assignments, and moves management data.
• Experience using prospect research, wealth screening, and donor intelligence tools, such as Windfall, DonorSearch, iWave, LexisNexis, Foundation Directory, WealthEngine, or comparable platforms.
• Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to evaluate wealth indicators, philanthropic giving history, business affiliations, and engagement data to assess donor capacity, affinity, and propensity to give.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams; experience developing reports, dashboards, and data visualizations preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into concise prospect profiles, donor briefings, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and interact professionally with donors, volunteers, board members, and organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain attention to detail, and adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting donor pipeline management, prospect qualification, portfolio review, and fundraising strategy through data analysis and research-driven recommendations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain discretion, and handle confidential donor and organizational information with the highest level of professionalism.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted research and productivity tools, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, summarize financial, philanthropic, and public records information, and draft research summaries while ensuring accuracy and fact-checking.
• Ability to work independently while contributing as an active member of a collaborative, results-oriented team.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5 years of experience in prospect research, prospect development, advancement services, fundraising operations, donor analytics, development operations, portfolio management, or a related field.

Schedule

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

Pay

Salary range: $65,000 – $75,000.

Benefits

The Franklin Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), life insurance, and disability coverage, plus generous paid time off.