Donor Prospect Researcher (Development & Major Gifts)

No Labels is seeking an analytical, proactive, and detail-oriented Prospect Researcher to join our national Development team. Working at the intersection of political strategy, major gift fundraising, and investigative donor intelligence, this role is critical to identifying, mapping, and cultivating the high-net-worth individuals who power our movement.

As our dedicated prospect researcher, you will dive deep into campaign finance data, public wealth records, business filings, and relationship networks to translate raw information into actionable donor pipelines. If you are a resourceful investigative thinker who understands how modern political fundraising, wealth screening, and major donor cultivation work, this role offers an immediate opportunity to shape our national development strategy.

Duties & Responsibilities

Prospect Identification & Pipeline Development

• Conduct systematic proactive and reactive prospect research to identify high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and philanthropic leaders aligned with our mission.
• Evaluate capacity, propensity, and philanthropic affinity using public wealth indicators, giving histories, real estate holdings, and corporate affiliations.
• Develop and maintain a steady pipeline of vetted major gift prospects for development officers and executive leadership.

Executive Briefings & Intelligence Dossiers

• Author concise, high-impact biographical and financial profile briefings for leadership prior to donor meetings, finance committee calls, and national fundraising events.
• Provide clear, actionable strategic recommendations within briefings (e.g., targeted ask amounts, key conversational hooks, mutual connections, and sensitive topics).

Relationship & Network Mapping

• Map peer-to-peer networks and board affiliations to identify warm introduction paths and entry points between prospective donors and current leadership or supporters.
• Track donor relationships across business circles, regional finance committees, and political networks.

CRM & Data Integrity

• Partner with the development operations team to maintain data integrity within our donor CRM (NGP VAN / Salesforce).
• Record wealth ratings, screening results, notes, and relationship linkages to ensure pipeline visibility and accurate gift forecasting.
• Monitor news alerts, SEC filings, real estate transactions, and FEC/state campaign finance filings for liquidity events and giving trends among our donor base.

Compliance & Ethical Standards

• Ensure all research, wealth analysis, and prospect documentation adhere strictly to relevant campaign finance laws, nonprofit compliance guidelines, and professional ethics (such as Apra standards).
• Safeguard sensitive personal and financial donor information with complete confidentiality and discretion.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 2–4 years of demonstrated experience in prospect research, development operations, major gift fundraising, political campaign finance research, or investigative intelligence within a nonprofit or political organization.
• Domain Knowledge: Firm grasp of U.S. political fundraising, campaign finance structures (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), PACs, and Super PACs), and the major gift donor cultivation lifecycle.
• Prospect Research Tools: Direct hands-on experience using industry-standard wealth screening and prospect intelligence platforms (e.g., LexisNexis, iWave, DonorSearch, Wealth-X, RelSci, FEC.gov, OpenSecrets).
• Fundraising Technology: Proficiency with political and nonprofit CRMs (e.g., NGP VAN, EveryAction, Salesforce, or Raiser's Edge).
• Investigative Synthesis: Proven ability to comb through public records, SEC filings (Forms 3, 4, 144, DEF 14A), property databases, foundation 990-PFs, and media archives to produce clear, executive-ready memos on tight turnaround times.
• Discretion: Highest standard of integrity and demonstrated ability to handle sensitive, highly confidential donor information with absolute discretion.
• Mission Commitment: Strong alignment with the goals and principles of bipartisan political reform and the mission of No Labels.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Economics, Journalism, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with organization matching.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy.