Job Description

Prospect Research Analyst

Department/Division: Development 
Reports To: Director of Prospect Development
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time

Location

Primary Location: Memphis, Tennessee

Work Arrangement: Hybrid or Remote Consideration Available

Reporting Office: Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters, Memphis, TN

Applicants residing outside the Memphis area are encouraged to apply. Partial or full remote work arrangements may be considered for the selected candidate.

Position Summary

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the continent's leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation, seeks a Prospect Research Analyst to support the organization's fundraising and donor development efforts. Reporting to the Director of Prospect Development, the Analyst identifies, researches, analyzes, and evaluates current and prospective donors to support strategic fundraising initiatives and donor cultivation activities.

The Prospect Research Analyst provides research and analytical support to Ducks Unlimited leadership and development professionals by identifying new major and principal gift prospects, assessing donor capacity, monitoring donor activity, and delivering high-quality prospect intelligence. This position plays a critical role in supporting donor engagement strategies, portfolio management, and fundraising efforts designed to advance Ducks Unlimited's conservation mission.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical abilities, exceptional research skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of donor information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Prospect Identification & Research

• Conduct proactive research to identify potential major and principal gift prospects through wealth screening, news monitoring, donor activity analysis, and other prospecting methods.
• Review weekly gift reports, donor activity, and emerging opportunities to identify prospects for cultivation and solicitation.
• Develop comprehensive donor profiles and background reports utilizing a variety of public and proprietary research resources.
• Research and evaluate prospects' professional history, philanthropic interests, financial capacity, charitable giving patterns, affiliations, and relationships to Ducks Unlimited.
• Monitor news outlets, SEC filings, press releases, and publicly available financial information for information relevant to prospects and donors.

Prospect Analysis & Portfolio Development

• Conduct financial analysis of known wealth indicators to estimate philanthropic capacity.
• Qualify, screen, rate, and prioritize prospective donors using established prospect management methodologies.
• Support wealth screening and predictive modeling initiatives and independently verify screening results when appropriate.
• Conduct quarterly portfolio review meetings with assigned fundraisers to assess opportunity pipelines, portfolio health, and prospect status.
• Collaborate with development staff to strengthen major gift and principal gift fundraising strategies.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain and update donor and prospect information in Blackbaud CRM according to established data standards.
• Track prospect research activities and maintain accurate records for performance metrics and reporting purposes.
• Ensure prospect information remains current, accurate, and actionable.
• Generate reports and analytical summaries to support organizational fundraising objectives.

Development Support & Relationship Management

• Proactively communicate relevant prospect intelligence and donor information to development staff and organizational leadership.
• Partner with fundraisers to identify cultivation and solicitation opportunities.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with fundraising staff, leadership, and colleagues involved in donor engagement.
• Assist development professionals in managing prospect portfolios and strategy development.

Professional Development & Compliance

• Maintain proficiency with industry-standard prospect research tools, databases, and best practices.
• Stay informed regarding emerging technologies, data resources, and fundraising research methodologies.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to strengthen prospect research expertise.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with Ducks Unlimited policies and the ethical standards established by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience in prospect research, fundraising operations, development services, business intelligence, data analysis, donor relations, or a related field.
• Experience in a nonprofit fundraising environment preferred.
• Experience conducting detailed research and synthesizing complex information from multiple sources.

Licenses/Certifications

• Professional certifications related to prospect research, fundraising, or analytics are beneficial but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Blackbaud CRM or similar donor management systems.
• Familiarity with wealth screening and predictive modeling tools.
• Experience utilizing prospect research resources such as:
  • LexisNexis for Development Professionals
  • Candid/GuideStar
  • Foundation Directory
  • SEC filings
  • Wealth intelligence platforms
• Understanding of major gifts fundraising and donor lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of conservation, nonprofit, membership-based, or philanthropic organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to retrieve, evaluate, manipulate, analyze, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including:
  • Outlook
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
• Ability to learn new technologies, databases, and research tools quickly.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality requirements and ethical handling of sensitive information.
• Understanding of philanthropy and fundraising principles, including prospect management and the donor development cycle.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a changing and evolving work environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work effectively in an office, hybrid, or remote work environment.
• Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to review and analyze electronic and printed materials.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Travel Requirements

Estimated Travel: Less than 10%

Type of Travel: Occasional overnight travel for professional development, conferences, training, organizational meetings, and fundraising support activities.

Candidates must be willing to occasionally work outside traditional business hours as needed throughout the year.

Salary

Salary Range: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, skills, and experience.

Benefits: Ducks Unlimited offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation; paid sick leave; ten paid holidays; 401(k) plan with partial employer match; and tuition reimbursement.

Miscellaneous Information

Position Status: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid or Remote Eligible

Location: Memphis, Tennessee (preferred)

Remote Applicants: Welcome to apply

To Apply

Please complete all application materials and submit:

• Resume
• Cover Letter describing your interest in the position and qualifications

Resume review will begin on November 6, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as received.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.