Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development

USA Lacrosse • Sparks, MD

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

USA Lacrosse is looking for an experienced Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development to lead prospect research and portfolio development efforts to help our Foundation team identify, qualify, and engage prospective donors with major giving capacity. In this critical role you will build and manage the prospect research program, support the donor pipeline and portfolio management, and provide insights and recommendations to help Major Gift Officers make informed, strategic, data-driven, and timely decisions aligned with USA Lacrosse’s organizational priorities and goals. Partnering with the VP, Philanthropy, you will refine donor pipeline management practices through prospect identification, market and sector analysis, and data analysis to support portfolio optimization. This role provides reliable qualitative and quantitative data, trend analysis, and strategic insights to enable the Foundation team to plan effectively, operate efficiently, and advance the mission and goals of USA Lacrosse with diversity, equity, and inclusion embedded in its work. If you are an analytical thinker who has exceptional attention to detail and enjoys “digging in” and conducting research to help further fundraising efforts and initiatives, keep reading. This is an exciting time to join a mission-based organization as we prepare to compete in the LA28 Olympics and continue to grow the game of lacrosse, giving access to all who want to pick up a stick.

Requirements

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in prospect research, donor intelligence, donor analysis, and/or portfolio development, ideally in a nonprofit, association, or foundation environment.
• Proven ability to research and analyze donor and market data, identify giving trends, and translate findings into actionable fundraising strategy recommendations, including philanthropic landscape/sector analysis to spot emerging donors and funding opportunities.
• Strong working knowledge of fundraising fundamentals, including, but not limited to, donor pipelines, portfolio management, prospect qualification/cultivation/solicitation, and pipeline management (assessing readiness, prioritizing leads, and assigning prospects by capacity, affinity, and timing).
• Experience producing research reports, donor/prospect profiles, briefing materials, and dashboards to communicate pipeline health and fundraising performance to staff and leadership.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with donor database platforms (i.e., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or similar) and prospecting tools (i.e., Windfall, LexisNexis, or comparable platform).
• Working knowledge of AI-assisted tools for research and drafting, including ability to synthesize multi-source findings, summarize 990s and news coverage, and draft profiles/correspondence, ensuring consistent fact-checking before use in donor-facing materials.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to work collaboratively cross-departmentally and with external stakeholders (i.e., board members, donors, volunteers), with the ability to present a professional presence to represent USA Lacrosse.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, problem solve, and keep data organized for thorough analysis and reporting while meeting established deadlines and goals. This includes the ability to manage competing priorities and pivot as needed.
• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal, written, and verbal with the ability to lead prospect/portfolio review meetings and present complex information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Ability to exercise discretion and understand how to handle confidential information when necessary.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team in a hybrid (in-office/remote work) environment in a fast-paced, "roll up your sleeves" environment that delivers results.
• Willingness to learn about the sport of lacrosse and appreciate the need for developing funds to fuel its development and growth with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind.
• Ability to align with USA Lacrosse’s Mission, Vision, and Values to support our initiatives and organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Develops, leads, and executes USA Lacrosse’s prospect research strategy to identify, qualify, and recommend prospective donors and funding opportunities to support organizational fundraising priorities and goals.
• Conducts in-depth research on prospective donors, foundations, and other funding sources with major giving capacity using wealth and propensity screening tools, relationship mapping resources, public records, news sources, and other relevant information.
• Identifies new major gift prospects by region, interest area, affinity, capacity, and alignment with USA Lacrosse programs and priorities, and shares leads with the appropriate Foundation team member(s) to support timely engagement and follow-up.
• Synthesizes research into concise, actionable reports, profiles, briefing materials, and recommendations for the VP, Philanthropy, President & CEO, Foundation team, Major Gift Officers, and leadership team as requested.
• Monitors and reports on relevant news, activity, and updates related to Foundation Board members, USA Lacrosse Operating Board members, foundations, major donors, and prospects, escalating timely information as appropriate.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on current supporters, prospects, and relevant external developments, proactively sharing insights to support USA Lacrosse’s fundraising strategy and relationship development.
• Supports the USA Lacrosse Foundation Board and volunteer committee-related research, reporting, and meeting preparation as requested.
• Partners with the VP, Philanthropy to strengthen prospecting systems, including team-wide protocols, information management practices, work management processes, and standard operating procedures, ensuring appropriate documentation of these practices and processes.
• Supports donor pipeline creation and optimization in partnership with the VP, Philanthropy and SR Manager, Annual Giving, including qualification criteria, landscape analysis, prospect tracking, and movement of qualified prospects through the pipeline.
• Manages portfolio development and optimization practices to support refined, focused, and balanced portfolios that align with USA Lacrosse’s fundraising goals and organizational priorities.
• Plans, organizes, and participates in regular prospect review meetings, providing donor insights, strategic recommendations, and portfolio guidance to support campaign development, engagement, cultivation, and solicitation planning.
• Uses analysis tools and practices to identify new prospects, pipeline opportunities, giving trends, and patterns within the prospect pool.
• Translates prospect and donor data into strategic recommendations to help the Foundation team prioritize opportunities, optimize portfolios, and make timely, data-driven decisions.
• Manages and maintains Salesforce reports, dashboards, tracking systems, and lists to monitor fundraising performance, prospect activity, portfolio health, and pipeline progress.
• Supports data accuracy and integrity in Salesforce by maintaining current donor and prospect information and promoting consistent data practices across the Foundation team.
• Serves as the SME on prospect and data analysis, helping USA Lacrosse continually assess, refine, and improve its fundraising practices and processes for stronger organizational performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with multiple options (eligible the first of the month following 30 days of employment).
• Generous company paid Life and AD&D insurance.
• Company paid Long Term Disability (LTD) at one year of employment.
• 403(b) retirement plan (eligible immediately upon hire), including a 4% employer contribution after one year of employment.
• Generous PTO, company paid holidays, bereavement, jury duty, and parental and maternity leave.
• Additional voluntary insurance options, such as supplemental benefits through Colonial and Nationwide pet insurance.
• Discounts on USA Lacrosse merchandise.
• Free onsite gym at HQ office.
• Free parking.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed