This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment. About the Program:
Now is the time to move from commitments to action on climate changeโWRI is at the forefront of this urgent transition. WRI has the knowledge, convening power and tools to drive change and its Individual Philanthropy Sector builds relationships with Individuals and Family Foundations to help the Institute deliver results and bring about a more equitable and sustainable world.
The Individual Philanthropy Sector is part of WRIโs broader Global Development Program, which coordinates all fundraising for WRI. In this capacity, the Individual Philanthropy Team is part of a growing and evolving Individual Philanthropy programs organized around principal gifts ($500,000+), major gifts ($10,000+), mid-level gifts ($1,000-$9,999), and annual fund gifts.
Job Highlight:
You will be responsible for integrating equity into your work
The Prospect Research Analyst will directly support the Individual Philanthropy team as they engage with Individuals, Family Foundations and Family Offices to achieve WRIโs ambitious fundraising goals.
In this role, you are a strategic partner to Individual Giving fundraisers, providing quantitative and qualitative data to support the identification, qualification, cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects.
Your daily work will include conducting research, analysis and interpretation to provide information, insights, recommendations and written briefs to Individual Giving officers and leadership to determine pathways for engagement and support overall donor strategy.
You will utilize quantitative analysis and data tools to perform relationship mapping, assess capacity, philanthropic inclination, and affinity. You will support strategic portfolio analysis and moves management. Your work is both proactive and reactive and you will use analytical skills, data-driven insights, and collaborative relationships to grow and advance the teams fundraising pipeline.
You will be supported by the Individual Philanthropy and Development Operations and teams.
You will report to the Director, Individual Philanthropy Services.
What will you do:
Prospect Research (80% time):
- Provide full prospect research, identification, and development services throughout the prospect and donor lifecycle.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, and interpret biographical and financial data to produce in-depth briefings and reports that inform decision-making.
- Utilize quantitative analysis and data tools to calculate wealth estimates and assess capacity, philanthropic inclination, and organizational affinity for donors and prospects.
- Support proactive and reactive prospect research and identification projects to uncover new, viable prospects in specific geographies or regions or by interest in key initiatives; provide forward-thinking and forward-looking data analysis to help prioritize prospects.
- Conduct due diligence research; analyze and assess risk in support of WRIโs goals and organizational values.
- Map relationships between donors and prospects and support sphere-of-influence projects to help identify opportunities to grow our network and build Individual giving pipeline.
- Proactively share findings, insights, and newsworthy updates on prospects and donors currently in pipeline.
- Adhere to ethical guidelines and follow data collection and usage privacy laws when conducting research; stay informed about data collection and privacy trends and best practices in prospect research and data analysis. Systems and Data (20% time):
- Support the development, implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures for research and moves management.
- Ensure data integrity and maintain prospect and donor information in systems such as Salesforce and SharePoint, including updating and maintaining biographical, philanthropic, and affiliation data from internal and external sources.
- Support comprehensive portfolio management including the develop of reports and dashboards for moves management and routinely reviewing fundraising benchmarks with emphasis on strategic movement of prospects through the fundraising cycle (e.g., cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship).
- Support the adoption of new technologies and methodologies in prospect research and data analysis. What will you need:
- Education: You have a Bachelorโs degree
- Experience: You have 3+ years of full-time relevant work experience.
- Proven ability to expand and diversify funding sources through proactive and reactive prospect research.
o Experience with various research techniques including utilizing databases for traditional research, wealth screenings processes, including prioritizing, vetting, and validating datasets to support donor qualification and portfolio development.
o Experience with due diligence and /or global prospects and donors preferred.
o Proven organizational and time management skills and strong attention to detail.
o Experience handling multiple projects, setting priorities, problem-solving and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced and complex environment.
o Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, Asana, and with a CRM database.
o Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
o Experience working independently and proactively.
o Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality. - Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English
- Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization Potential Salary: US salary range is between 69,000 and 78,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of July 7, 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. What we offer:
- Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
- The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
- A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
- The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
- Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
- Generous leave days that increase with tenure
- Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution About Us: World Resources Institute works to improve peopleโs lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations. Our mission and values: WRIโs mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earthโs environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations. Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect. Our culture: WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.