Development Researcher

About the Job

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.

Qualifications

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.

About the Department

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 and Benefits

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

How To Apply

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 [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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.

About the U of M

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).

Qualifications

• Customer Experience Management (20%)
• 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
• 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
• including Excel and Access
• Demonstrated understanding of major gifts fundraising
• with multiple deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced
• Demonstrated experience querying data, managing electronic
• age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran

Benefits

• an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment
• Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working
• Pay Range: $55,000- 65,000 ; depending on
• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit
• 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)
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling
• Employee Transit
• Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro

Responsibilities

• raises and manages gifts from individuals and organizations to
• support the mission of the University
• central services staff who support the U's development enterprise
• through functions such as finance, information systems, and
• Guided by its vision, mission, and
• 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
• research, prospect management, principal giving services and
• analytics to develop portfolios and prospect pipelines
• 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
• researcher experienced in production, analysis, tracking,
• campaigns, customer service, and research deliverables
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Prospecting/Database Management (20%)
• Identify, evaluate and prioritize potential donors using
• database queries and analysis
• Input, utilize and manage relevant prospect information within
• 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
• Maintain and expand research expertise with continuing
• education about new sources, search methods, and relevant
• 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
• Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to
• (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
• developing presentations and leading training, professional
• meetings or team projects
• Demonstrated working with data in a wide variety of formats,
• process/strategies and the contributions and integration of data
• management and analysis to process/strategies
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize complex tasks
• screenings, creating prospect management models and/or designing
• 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