Development Researcher

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) serves as the central development office for the University of Minnesota. The Foundation raises and manages gifts from individuals and organizations to support the mission of the University. UMF includes development professionals working in dedicated medicine and health areas, regional development, and University-wide giving, as well as central services staff who support the U's development enterprise through functions such as finance, information systems, and marketing and communications. Guided by its vision, mission, and values, UMF seeks to engage the private sector to inspire greatness at the University of Minnesota.

This position is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and managing prospect research information to help advance the University's development program on the Prospect Development team. Prospect Development is a strategic department at UMF, focusing on providing research, prospect management, principal giving services and analytics to develop portfolios and prospect pipelines. Prospect Development team members collaborate with development officers and are at the forefront with foundation leadership to provide information with actionable insight, helping to clarify priorities, increasing overall portfolio philanthropic capacity, and partnering to optimize portfolios. This position serves as a prospect researcher experienced in production, analysis, tracking, campaigns, customer service, and research deliverables.

Hybrid Work Model:

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) operates under a hybrid work model, with the expectation that all staff be onsite at least 2-3 times per week. Our office is located in McNamara Alumni Center on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus

Responsibilities

Prospect Research (30%)

• Research individuals, corporations and foundations, using online proprietary donor management system, subscription databases, and University library resources, as well as public and government websites.
• Analyze data and synthesize results to assess financial capacity, philanthropic tendencies, giving propensity, linkages to campus, and other information to aid in the development process; produce accurate, detailed background reports.
• Employ research, analysis and reporting strategies useful to the prospect development stages and in proportion to prospect/donor value.

Customer Experience Management (20%)

• Act as service manager and alternate or primary point of contact for assigned research projects, employing customer relationship strategies to ensure positive service experiences, proactively discover ongoing needs, and recommend approaches to meet those needs.
• Partner with colleagues as the primary collegiate point of contact for research needs as required, especially to support high priority campaign-related work.
• Collaborate with supervisor and research colleagues to identify and respond to opportunities for improved customer service, organizational efficiencies and resource enhancement.
• Provide back up to other functional areas, such as analytics and quality functions.

Prospecting/Database Management (20%)

• Identify, evaluate and prioritize potential donors using database queries and analysis.
• Input, utilize and manage relevant prospect information within prospect database.

Project Management (20%)

• Manage multiple projects or customers, requests and initiatives, with frequently competing deadlines, ensuring timely project completion and delivery of high-quality products.
• Act as back-up liaison between collegiate units and internal Foundation departments when needed; guide and follow up on internal resources, as appropriate.
• Provide creative and resourceful approaches to research, prospecting, and reporting challenges.

Other Departmental Activities (10%)

• Stay current on leading industry trends; transfer and apply expertise. Maintain and expand research expertise with continuing education about new sources, search methods, and relevant information technologies.
• Develop project proposals, work plans, reports, or other written documents.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by manager.

*Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information and material in an ethical and professional manner.

Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment (exhibit 100% of the time)

• Continuous learning in diversity, equity and inclusion for oneself and team via training, podcasts, articles, etc.
• Seek to explore and understand cultural differences and create a culture of belonging.
• Develop and employ anti-racist practices and principles to accomplish work.
• Advocate for employees of all ethnicities, genders, ages and backgrounds
• Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with employees, colleagues, stakeholders, etc.
  

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years of work experience in non-profit prospect research, preferably in higher education, or comparable work experience in a closely-related research industry such as business research, law research, or library research, or grant writing.
• Familiarity with current research technologies and information search techniques, including online library sources, pay-subscription sources, public records, and Internet search.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to analyze and report a wide range of research findings; experience developing presentations and leading training, professional meetings or team projects.
• Demonstrated working with data in a wide variety of formats, including Excel and Access.
• Demonstrated understanding of major gifts fundraising process/strategies and the contributions and integration of data management and analysis to process/strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize complex tasks with multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced production environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Three or more years or research experience in a research production environment.
• Demonstrated experience querying data, managing electronic screenings, creating prospect management models and/or designing constituent surveys.
• Experience using data and knowledge in strategic decision making, to improve processes and customer service, and to transfer and apply knowledge to other functions within a fundraising organization.

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay Range: $55,000- 65,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).