Prospect Management uses a systematic process to help determine the logistical approach to soliciting major gifts. Prospect research professionals conduct research on people, organizations, and foundations. They collect, evaluate, analyze, organize and disseminate publicly available information in a way that maximizes its usefulness in making decisions for advancement operations. In essence, prospect research seeks to identify new potential donors; find indicators of prospects’ interests, propensity and capacity to give; and provide information to development personnel that can be strategically applied throughout the development cycle.
At Jackson State University, the prospect management and research staff in the DAS works closely with development officers and administrators to strategically use information to make the university's advancement efforts more efficient and effective. The ultimate focus of the prospect research staff is to provide information that enables university representatives to build, maintain, and strengthen the relationships that lead to private gifts. The information collected by Prospect Research is used in conjunction with information gathered by development staff to create a sophisticated, structured approach to fundraising that is well conceived, sensitive, and effective. All research for prospective donors to Jackson State University must be coordinated with the Prospect Researcher. For more information, please contact the Prospect Research Specialist at 601.979.2356.