Thursday, February 23, 2023

Research links for UMKC presentation - February 24, 2023



Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement
APRA International
APRA Missouri/Kansas chapter

Below are the links I recommend for Prospect Research:

Address & Phone Resources
Clustrmaps - search by name often (but not always!) provides address, address history, other persons living at address, neighbors, other properties owned, phone, email and birthdate
US Phonebook – search by name, by phone number, by address

Aircraft Lookup
FAA Aircraft Inquiry - easiest to search by name or state/county

Biographical Information
LinkedIn – provides current employer and title as well as employment history; also lists degrees and educational institutions attended; sometimes lists professional and community affiliations

Business Information
Dun & Bradstreet – provides a limited amount of free business snapshots

Foundation & NonProfit Information
Foundation Directory Online (a service of Foundation Center; fee-based)
Foundation Search (fee-based)
GuideStar (free to view basic information with sign-up)
ProPublica NonProfit Explorer - search nonprofits by organization or employee/director names

Government Resources (local)
Jackson County, MO marriage records – useful for confirming exact birthdates and spouse names
Johnson County, KS District Court records – useful for searching marriage and divorce records
Missouri Case.net – searchable database of Circuit Court records in Missouri; limited detail only provides basic information on everything from traffic tickets to estates to divorces

Library Resources (local)
Johnson County Public Library – free library card entitles access to several online databases including local and national newspaper archives, obituaries, genealogy resources, and other databases
Kansas City Public Library - free library card entitles access to several online databases including Kansas City History (Missouri Valley collection), vital records, genealogy & history resources, business & nonprofit resources, and magazines & newspapers.
Mid-Continent Public Library - free library card entitles access to several online databases including local and national newspaper archives, obituaries, genealogy resources, and other databases

Political Contributions
Open Secrets – search by donor name, state, zip code, occupation or recipient; links to actual copy of FEC contribution filing with home address, employer and occupation of donor

Public Company Salaries & Holdings
Securities & Exchange Commission – search by public company name; the Proxy Statement (DEF14A) contains salary and inside shareholder information
Rank and Filed - searchable SEC filings presented in a modern, graphic format

Publications (local)
The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Business Journal
The Independent - Kansas City's society and special event magazine
Kansas City Magazine - formerly 435 Magazine

Real Estate Resources
Google Maps – provides aerial and sometimes “street views” of residences
Jackson County, MO – searchable by name or property address
Johnson County, KS – searchable by property address only; includes photo of residence
Clay County, MO – searchable by name or property address
Platte County, MO – searchable by name or property address
Cass County, MO – searchable by name or property address
Pulawski.net – tax assessor database by state. Named for Christina Pulawski, a former prospect researcher at Northwestern University, now a fundraising consultant
Trulia – nationwide real estate database searchable by city, zip code, or property address
Zillow – nationwide real estate database searchable by city, zip code, or property address

Paid Resources
LexisNexis for Development Professionals ($300-$500 per month for one user) – multi-function toolkit for fundraisers includes address & phone history, birthdates (month & year only), e-mail addresses, family relationships, real estate assets, newspaper archives, and employment links.
DonorSearch
iWave PRO
WealthEngine 
These are multi-function websites for fundraisers and researchers which aggregate data from several public sources.  These include capacity ratings, charitable giving, Dun & Bradstreet, Federal Election Contributions, Foundation Search, Guidestar Directors and Foundations, Hoover’s business information, Marquis Who’s Who, aircraft and large watercraft ownership, and more!  Subscription price often includes monthly webinars and best practices white papers.  Great for small research shops who need a lot of information quickly!

p.s. And don't forget to Google!!!


Recommended Reading

  Amazon


Monday, February 7, 2022

JOB POSTING - Prospect Research Analyst at Saint Luke's in Kansas City

It's been awhile since I've posted, so Happy 2022 to all of my Prospect Research colleagues who follow this blog!  May you all have a happy and healthy 2022!

I was just made aware of a job opportunity here in the Kansas City area for a Prospect Research Analyst with Saint Luke's Health System.  If you're not familiar with Saint Luke's, they have a great reputation as a healthcare provider and employer here in Kansas City.  It's where I get my healthcare and I've had many friends who have worked there!

https://careers.saintlukeskc.org/jobs/prospect-research-analyst-kansas-city-missouri-united-states

Good luck if you decide to apply!

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

A blog post reflecting on a year learning prospect research

I really enjoyed Abbey Reinhardt's blog post reflecting on her first year as a prospect researcher.  It took me back to 1996 and even though we didn't have nearly the technology and resources that we do now, the basics of prospect research still apply!  The same goes for joining a professional organization and the power of networking.

https://www.apramokan.org/blog

Like Abbey, I entered the field by accident, but after more than 20 years in the field, I can honestly say that it was the most happiest of accidents!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Apra-Great Plains 2018 Fall Conference


The regional APRA conferences are a great way to learn and network for a very reasonable cost.  Kudos to our friends at APRA-Great Plains for offering some great sessions for $60 total! 

“Corporations and Foundations”                                                                                                                                                                                             
Friday, October 26th, 2018
Location: Morrison Stadium
1804 California Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Time: 10a.m. - 4p.m.

Please join us in thanking RelSci for their generous conference sponsorship!

Overview of Sessions:
Brokering Connections: How Behind-the-Scenes Resources Lead to Frontline Giving
Andy Kammerer, Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Creighton University
Dustin Mass, Prospect Development Specialist at Creighton University

When it comes to prospecting new major gifts, collaboration across divisions and departments is essential. This session will map how to capitalize on all institution resources—relationships fostered by Trustees, hidden gems discovered by Sponsored Programs and enthusiastic alumni cultivated by the Career Center. Learn how to integrate prospect researchers as project stakeholders and faculty members as full fundraising partners. Develop your CFR and Frontline Development programs by breaking down silos, increasing grant success rates and sowing strategies for growth.

Shedding Light on Corporate Research
Tessa Fjelland, Associate Director of Research Strategies at Iowa State University Foundation

Conducting research on corporations as prospects is not always a daily activity for prospect researchers. Confusing company structures, revolving executive champions, and nuanced development strategy makes corporate prospecting unique, and can lead to a 'blind spot' in the capabilities of many research shops. In this presentation, Tessa Fjelland from Iowa State University will cover commonly used resources, as well as her experience determining corporate prospect status. She will also share practices for providing support for an introductory call, 'ask size' research, and presidential/leadership briefing.

Lean Prospect Management for Small Development Offices: Simple Tools for Foundation Research and Cultivation
Charlie Olsen, Director of Donor Relations at the NorthStar Foundation

For development officers serving in smaller nonprofit settings, prospect research often represents only one of the many fundraising disciplines that fall within the ambit of their core position duties. Further, when compared to other essential fundraising duties –for example, major gift planning, proposal writing and development, event management, etc.— prospect research can be perceived as too technical and time-intensive to warrant meaningful attention and investment at the small development office. This presentation, offers a few simple low-cost tools and techniques, drawing on Lean principles in process optimization, for improving Corporate and Foundation donor research and management.

Investing in Community Organizations: Leveraging Cross Sector Relationships to Make the Best Appeal to Corporations and Foundations
Eric Crawford, CEO at Heart Ministry Center
Community organizations require cross sector comradery in building and supporting various initiatives to problem solve, fundraise and achieve shared goals. For over 40 years, the Heart Ministry Center in Omaha has provided basic needs in a personal and dignified manner to members of the community. Last year alone, the Heart Ministry Center provided services to roughly 8,000 people each month through their food pantry, the Porto Medical Clinic, the Gary L. Maag Dental Clinic, the Fresh Start job training and placement program, and through their extensive social work program. Each year, they also manage hundreds of community volunteers who help serve their clients. Currently in the silent phase of a capital campaign, the Heart Ministry Center facilitates alliances and pulls together various constituencies to continue garnering support for their cause and their community. In this session, attendees will hear how Eric Crawford, CEO of the Heart Ministry, manages key relationships to raise funds from corporations and foundations to create meaningful impact for those in need.

Hot Topic Discussion
Outside of the normal conference presentations, we want to give attendees more time to network. We have set aside time for Hot Topics during the conference for attendees to discuss questions or issues they are facing in their everyday work. Please bring any questions you have for the group or submit in the registration form. It does not have to focus on corporate/foundation relations; this is time set aside for you to utilize the expertise of your fellow members!

Conference Registration:
Please fill out the registration form and select your payment option below.

Registration Fees
Member fee                                                    $40
Non-member fee                                           $60
Non-member fee with new membership  $75

After registering, please pay online with PayPal via our website!

If you need to pay by check, please contact Lisa Hukill.
Registration will close Monday, October 22nd 

Directions:

Parking:
Morrison Stadium is located on the southeast side of campus (#53 on Creighton University Campus Map).  There is a parking lot directly south of the stadium.  Parking Map (#75)

Happy Hour (Friday, October 26th):
Join us after the conference at The Session Room for happy hour.
812 N 14th Street
Omaha, NE 68102

Thursday, October 25th Dinner:
3910 Harney Street
Omaha, NE 68131

Recommended Hotel:
Rooms are available at the Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha-Downtown.  The rate is $120 a night (available Thursday and Friday night).  Please indicate on the registration form if you need a hotel room and we will reserve the room on your behalf.  You will pay for the room once you arrive at the hotel.  The Hampton Inn has complimentary breakfast. Remember to bring your tax-exempt forms.

Apra-Great Plains Board of Directors
Sarah Clough, President
Lisa Hukill, Treasurer
Alyssa Norman, Education Co-Chair and Incoming President
Kelsey Parman, Communications Chair
Hilary Hoffman, Education Co-Chair
Lori Wellman, Membership Chair