Prospect Research Analyst

Job Description

Job Description

About the University of Hawai ʻ i Foundation:

The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Foundation was established in 1955 to encourage private support for UH. Today it is the central fundraising organization for the UH System and is contracted by the Board of Regents to be the sole provider of fundraising and alumni services. In addition to fundraising, the Foundation manages more than 7,000 gift accounts for the benefit of the university and its students.

The UH Foundation is a private, institutionally related corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a legally separate entity from UH, the UH Alumni Association, and all other UH affiliates. However, the UH Foundation works closely with these organizations, as well as with others in the community, exclusively for the benefit of the university.

Our Vision

To inspire giving and partnership with UH by fostering UH pride and passion among donors, alumni and the community.

Our Mission

To unite donors' passions with UH's aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations.

Our Values

Our values shape our relationships and guide our thinking and actions. By living our values, we build trust with our fellow employees, our donors, the university and the broader community.

Position Summary:

The Prospect Research Analyst is a key member of the UH Foundation Prospect Research & Relationship Management team responsible for providing information, analysis, and prospect management to support fundraising efforts for UH.

Reports to:

Director of Prospect Research & Relationship Management

Duties & Responsibilities:

Research & Analysis

• Perform in-depth, high-level research using a variety of electronic and print resources, complex financial documents and various rating methodologies to produce clear and concise analysis for high-level UH administrators and UH Foundation development officers.
• Analyze large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data to understand the demographics of our constituents.
• Depict a large volume of complex information using charts, graphs, and other visual presentation formats. 
• Conduct investigative due diligence on individuals and entities to identify risks associated with accepting gifts.
• Keep abreast of current events, philanthropic and prospect research trends, news involving key individuals and industries, as well as UH’s fundraising priorities.
• At the direction of the Director, actively maintain database accuracy through correcting data and updating reports in UH Foundation’s primary CRM

Relationship Management 

• Meet with development officers regularly to review and assess their portfolio of prospects. 
• Proactively identify new prospects when needed through data mining and other relevant techniques. 
• Ensure prospect moves and statuses are appropriate based on major gift officer activity with prospects.
• Assist development officers with the maintenance of their proposal pipelines.
• Create reports and update records in the donor database related to the moves management system and metrics. 

  Departmental Efforts

• Investigate additional research resources and liaise with outside consultants.
• Conduct informational sessions with colleagues to exhibit the department’s efforts. 
• Assist in training and continuing the education of fellow research analysts and student support. 
• Present research findings and participate in group discussions.
• Build methodologies, formulas, and tables for various ratings.
• Create, lead, and manage special projects from inception to delivery of results.
• Participate in the department’s strategic planning process and prioritization of its workload. 
• Identify opportunities for more effective and efficient alternatives to research requests and operations.

  Other

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with UH Foundation colleagues. 
• Maintain a high level of detail and accuracy in data entry, reporting, fact finding, and writing.
• Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both the UH Foundation and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) at all times.
• Perform other duties and activities in support of UH Foundation’s mission as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Library and Information Science, Journalism, English or Criminal Justice.
• Ability to recognize and interpret complex financial documents, such as IRS 990 tax forms and SEC filings.
• Aptitude for working with research-oriented databases (e.g. LexisNexis, iWave & Blackbaud FPM).
• Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in philanthropy.
• Familiarity with identifying patterns in data.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and to prioritize a multi-faceted workload under strict deadlines and with limited guidance.
• Flexibility to meet unexpected demands and rapidly shift priorities with a positive attitude.
• Capacity to independently identify and analyze problems, propose possible solutions, and follow through to conclusion.
• Aptitude for working with Word and Excel.
• Experience with wealth screenings, highly preferred.
• Experience with public records, due diligence, or conducting investigations, highly preferred.
• Familiarity with the Ellucian Advance CRM database, highly preferred.
• Knowledge about predictive modeling and statistical analysis, highly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive and confidential information.  

• Must pass a background check upon offer of employment.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to sit at a desk and use a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of light office items up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to operate general office equipment such as computer, printer, photocopier, scanner, phone system, etc.
• Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to use office equipment and handle paperwork.
• Visual acuity to read printed and electronic documents and computer screens.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing so others will understand.
• Hearing and speaking abilities for in-person, phone, and video conversations.

Benefits:

UH Foundation voluntarily pays 100% of the following

• 10% 403(b) contributions after 7 months of employment. This is automatic and NOT dependent on the employee making any contributions. PLUS, ALL contributions are 100% immediately vested!
• Term life insurance
• AD&D insurance
• Short term disability insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement after 1 year of employment
• Employee assistance program
• Generous PTO and paid holidays

UH Foundation voluntarily provides the following in which the company and employees share the cost

• Health, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free parking after 5 years of service

Other benefits available for employees to purchase

• Medical Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Insurance coverages for spouse and/or children
• Critical care insurance
• Legal insurance
• Pet insurance