Prospect Identification

Identification includes monitoring and analyzing demographic information, business trends and forecasts, executive movement and corporate financial statistics in order to identify, segment and evaluate prospective donors. The goal of this process is to maximize fundraising initiatives at Carleton.

Biographical, Corporate and Financial Research

The collection of relevant information, such as corporate and individual wealth indicators, giving capacity, connections and interests with the purpose of matching these interests to institutional needs and programs is the responsibility of the Prospect Researcher.

Prospect Clearance

Prospect clearance is a formalized group activity conducted bi-weekly to ensure that the assignment of prospects for University and Faculty approved fund raising initiatives is conducted in an equitable, mutually agreeable and organized fashion.

Prospect Management

Prospect Management is the method by which the solicitation and cultivation process of all individual and organizational prospects cleared for University and Faculty approved fundraising activities of Carleton University is coordinated. This takes place through careful usage of the Prospect Management Module of Banner.

Online Database Research

Involves the searching of many major periodical indexes and abstracts and full text files (national and international newspapers, trade journals, directories, etc.) This activity is usually conducted in concert with the profile creation process but can be conducted on an ad hoc basis to located specific articles or information.

Training Opportunities

The Research Office offers a wide variety of training opportunities to provide University Advancement staff with the opportunity to improve or upgrade their skills, with respect to services offered by Prospect Research. Currently the following sessions are available to Advancement Staff:

  • Advancement Research Overview
  • Prospect Tracking/Management with Banner or Banner Self-Service
  • Conducting Biographical, Corporate and Foundation Research using BIG Online