Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development

USA Lacrosse • Sparks, MD

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

USA Lacrosse is seeking an experienced Manager, Prospect Research & Portfolio Development to lead prospect research and portfolio development efforts. This role will identify, qualify, and engage prospective donors with major giving capacity. The position involves building and managing the prospect research program, supporting the donor pipeline and portfolio management, and providing insights to Major Gift Officers for strategic, data-driven decisions. The role partners with the VP, Philanthropy to refine donor pipeline management practices through prospect identification, market and sector analysis, and data analysis for portfolio optimization. It provides qualitative and quantitative data, trend analysis, and strategic insights to support the Foundation team's planning, efficiency, and advancement of USA Lacrosse's mission, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is an exciting opportunity for an analytical thinker with strong attention to detail who enjoys research to further fundraising efforts, especially with the upcoming LA28 Olympics and continued growth of lacrosse.

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.
• Strong working knowledge of fundraising fundamentals, including donor pipelines, portfolio management, prospect qualification/cultivation/solicitation, and pipeline management.
• Experience producing research reports, donor/prospect profiles, briefing materials, and dashboards.
• 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.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to work collaboratively cross-departmentally and with external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal, written, and verbal.
• Ability to exercise discretion and handle confidential information.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team in a hybrid (in-office/remote work) environment.
• Willingness to learn about the sport of lacrosse.
• Ability to align with USA Lacrosse’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a nonprofit, association, or foundation environment.
• Experience with philanthropic landscape/sector analysis to spot emerging donors and funding opportunities.
• Ability to present a professional presence to represent USA Lacrosse.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and pivot as needed.
• Ability to lead prospect/portfolio review meetings and present complex information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, "roll up your sleeves" environment that delivers results.
• Appreciate the need for developing funds to fuel the development and growth of lacrosse with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind.

Responsibilities

• Develops, leads, and executes USA Lacrosse’s prospect research strategy to identify, qualify, and recommend prospective donors and funding opportunities.
• Conducts in-depth research on prospective donors, foundations, and other funding sources using wealth and propensity screening tools, relationship mapping resources, public records, and news sources.
• Identifies new major gift prospects by region, interest area, affinity, capacity, and alignment with USA Lacrosse programs and priorities.
• Synthesizes research into concise, actionable reports, profiles, briefing materials, and recommendations for leadership.
• Monitors and reports on relevant news, activity, and updates related to key stakeholders, escalating timely information as appropriate.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on current supporters, prospects, and external developments, proactively sharing insights to support fundraising strategy.
• Supports the USA Lacrosse Foundation Board and volunteer committee-related research, reporting, and meeting preparation.
• Partners with the VP, Philanthropy to strengthen prospecting systems, including team-wide protocols, information management practices, and standard operating procedures.
• Supports donor pipeline creation and optimization, including qualification criteria, landscape analysis, prospect tracking, and movement of qualified prospects.
• Manages portfolio development and optimization practices to support refined, focused, and balanced portfolios.
• Plans, organizes, and participates in regular prospect review meetings, providing donor insights, strategic recommendations, and portfolio guidance.
• 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 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.
• Serves as the SME on prospect and data analysis, helping USA Lacrosse continually assess, refine, and improve its fundraising practices and processes.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with multiple options
• Generous company paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Company paid Long Term Disability (LTD)
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution after one year of employment
• Generous PTO
• Company paid holidays
• Bereavement leave
• Jury duty leave
• 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: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed