Job Description

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment  to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

The Prospect Researcher plays a critical role in expanding DREAM’s donor base through proactive prospect sourcing, research, and cultivation. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Operations, the Prospect Researcher will continue to build a strong donor acquisition program that will source and qualify donors through research, strategic cultivation and fundraising events and partner with fundraising leads to build robust major gifts portfolios across the team. This role is a great opportunity for someone looking to evolve and grow a prospect research function as part of building a best-in-class major gifts program.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate an expansive and strategic approach to prospect research, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, thoroughness, and meticulous record-keeping. 

Responsibilities

• Prospect Research and Identification
• Proactively identify potential prospects from a variety of sources, including databases, networks, and external events;
• Prepare and present detailed research reports on donor biographies, philanthropic interests, and giving capacity;
• Synthesize research into various documents to support the fundraising process, including in-depth prospect and donor profiles, biographies, lists, and meeting briefings;
• Execute relationship mapping for DREAM volunteer leaders and top donors;
• Utilize research and wealth screening tools, along with experience using database applications for prospect identification and management;
• Monitor news, trends, and wealth events to maintain up-to-date intelligence on high-net-worth individuals and potential donors.
• Donor Pipeline Building and Management
• Manage regular prospect reviews with frontline fundraisers to refresh portfolios and build their prospect pools;
• Collaborate with team leaders in portfolio reviews, prioritization, and qualification of new prospects;
• Provide strategic recommendations for donor engagement based on research findings, ensuring alignment with DREAM's new donor acquisition strategy.
• Systems and Operations
• Build systems, tools, and workflows to grow and evolve DREAM’s prospect research function;
• Track and report KPIs measuring prospecting activity and results;
• Maintain and analyze data on prospective and existing donors;
• Assist in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of records in the donor database.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred;
• Three plus years of dedicated prospect research experience in a non-profit setting;
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and organize work streams with high attention to detail and meet deadlines; 
• Ability to quickly evaluate and synthesize large volumes of information into concise and actionable insights;
• Strong knowledge of research and wealth screening tools, along with experience using database applications for prospect identification and management;
• Analytical mindset and ability to use data to support efficiencies and strategies;
• Curiosity and ability to connect dots between donors and prospects;
• Strong entrepreneurial skills, a take-initiative attitude, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to create positive working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

Working Expectations

• The Prospect Researcher is part of the Advancement team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote, per week (subject to change, and with some weeks requiring more time in-person, for example for donor events);
• Some evening and/or weekend work, for example to attend donor events, is required.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave; 
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• Referral bonuses;
• All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays;
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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