Nonprofit managers and fundraising professionals acknowledge that effective fundraising has become more complex requiring more time and resources to cultivate sustainable donor relationships. We see the use of analytical technology as a priority for nonprofits interested in developing or strengthening philanthropic relationships. By using analytical technology, a nonprofit organization can collect, analyze and more efficiently use research data to develop better donor cultivation strategies. Research analytical tools, when used properly and ethically, can become fundamental in developing the right donor connections. Through creation of various rating profiles, an organization will have the ability to convert organized data into essential information on a range of variables such as a donor’s interest level, capacity, philanthropic priorities and anecdotal history. This information can be passed on to the organization’s development officer who can in turn better prepare for donor meetings and major gift discussions. The same collection of data can also be used to maintain interaction with key donors while at the same time become more responsive to donor interests. For instance, the organization can host meet and greet events that are especially tailored to specific donor interests discovered through internal donor research. In today’s information driven society, nonprofits who most successfully utilize data analysis techniques within their fundraising strategy will likely be the organizations that continue to thrive and expand. For more information on prospect research, contact us at info@scottpractice.com.