Analyst, Prospect Development

University of Illinois Foundation • Champaign, IL

129d • $51,000 - $57,000

About The Position

The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving organization of the University of Illinois. It works closely with alumni and friends, faculty and staff, corporations and foundations, as well as campus development professionals to create fundraising programs and opportunities that benefit the University. This role provides support to advancement clients by identifying prospects with the capacity and propensity to make major gifts; referring prospects to advancement units based on affiliations and interests; and providing research support and enhancement of prospect management data.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with general online research techniques, methodology and resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and to formulate productive partnerships with individuals and groups at all levels of University staff.
• Ability to quickly comprehend, explain, and operationalize complex data sets and analyses.
• Experience with database maintenance and retrieval; experience with or a capacity to become fluent in SQL, Blackbaud CRM and other analytical tools.
• Competency in using Microsoft Office products; Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word environment.
• Exercises independent and expert judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness in developing new ideas, approaches, and solutions.

Nice To Haves

• 2 years experience in the Advancement or non-profit sector, or experience in prospect or business development, marketing and consumer marketing trends, or another relevant field.
• An advanced degree that is relevant to the above work experience may substitute for this.
• Experience with non-profit/corporate research.
• Results-driven, fast learner who is self-motivated, can concurrently manage and reprioritize multiple projects, and who brings experience from a variety of functional areas across an enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Perform proactive and reactive research for contact information, employment and community involvement, wealth and giving capacity, philanthropic interests, education history, board service, and professional memberships.
• Identify and refer prospects to advancement units for qualification of major giving potential.
• Use research resources and perform analysis to determine which prospects should be referred, and to which units.
• Deliver targeted prospecting lists on request by curating collections of the best referrals identified for a specific objective.
• Build strong relationships with advancement clients by scheduling portfolio review sessions, attending team meetings, and providing prompt, thorough, and accurate service through the completion of research requests.
• Partner with advancement units to review and optimize portfolios by following guidelines to onboard, engage, and sunset prospects.
• Maintain the accuracy and completeness of advancement data by auditing, updating, and cleaning prospect management data.
• Review contact reports entered by advancement staff and port data to structured fields.
• Serve as matter experts for prospect management data and practices.
• Educate fundraising staff as appropriate and make them aware of available internal trainings or other resources.
• Adhere to standards for University of Illinois Foundation advancement work as detailed in policies, processes, and procedures manuals.
• Use data retrieval tools for prospect identification and analysis, including specialized dashboards, CRM query tools, and SQL.
• Finish tasks on time and meet standards for accuracy and completeness.
• Successfully manage and appropriately prioritize requests from partners across the advancement enterprise using judgment of time required, effort, and business impact.
• Balance a healthy curiosity against efficiency and time management.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Company paid life insurance.
• Generous vacation time including 24 days annually.
• Generous pension benefits.
• Hybrid schedule for many positions, combining in-office collaboration with up to 2 days of remote work flexibility.
• State-of-the-art, environmentally conscious workspace - a stunning LEED-certified building featuring contemporary amenities including an on-site wellness center and café with healthy dining options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree