Reputational risk at Dartmouth College became a significant concern around 2018-2019, following high-profile cases like the Sackler family. These incidents highlighted the need for better management of philanthropic gifts to avoid negative associations. Dartmouth sought to establish clearer guidelines for reputational risk, initially looking at what other organisations were doing. Their first major experience involved a donor who disclosed that demonstrators often followed him, raising potential publicity risks. However, at the time, tools to assess reputational risk were limited. Dartmouth hired a company that provided a lengthy, expensive dossier, but the process was inefficient. Over time, they explored other tools but continued seeking a more efficient, confidence-building solution to identify red flags and risks associated with potential donors. Then, they found Xapien which has since centralised and streamlined reputational risk management.

This webinar explores the evolution of prospect research and the transition from traditional methods to modern technology. Initially, researchers relied on manual data entry. But advancements in technology, particularly search engines and AI, have transformed the efficiency and accessibility of information. Despite these changes, the core mission of prospect research—maximising fundraising potential for nonprofits—remains unchanged. AI has simply enabled researchers to provide timely insights to fundraisers. They’re evolving from just information gatherers to strategic partners, collaborating with fundraisers to develop effective engagement strategies.

There’s a need for reliable AI tools in the prospect development space, especially as AI models evolve rapidly. Purpose-built tools can simplify the role of researchers, allowing them to focus on strategic tasks instead of constantly retraining. AI has the potential to elevate roles within organisations, moving professionals beyond administrative tasks to become strategic partners in fundraising and decision-making processes. It draws parallels to the early days of the internet. While AI is currently in a nascent stage, it will become integral to work processes, much like search engines have. Before using AI tools, particularly generative models, it’s essential to review privacy policies to ensure that sensitive data isn’t misused. Research tools built specifically for the industry, like Xapien, are more appropriate for handling confidential information about prospects.

In this webinar, we look at how the British Red Cross (BRC) prospect development team delivers tailored, high-quality research to unlock value for the transformational giving team, partnerships team, and a diverse group of fundraisers focused on securing high-value gifts from individuals, trusts, foundations, corporate partners, and institutional funding bodies. This research is essential for engaging and nurturing donor relationships, understanding the philanthropic landscape, and making data-driven decisions that enhance fundraising strategies. Most importantly, it supports relationship management by identifying optimal moments to increase donor support. Additionally, it aids in framing proposals and determining which British Red Cross team members are best suited to engage with specific donors. This approach ensures a more informed and personalised strategy for building long-term relationships with BRC donors.

In this webinar, we’re joined by Chris Connew, the Head of Operations in the Directorate of Development and Alumni Engagement at Queen Mary University of London. We discuss how to drive efficiencies in philanthropy, the role of due diligence in gift management, and where it should fit within the process (spoiler alert: it’s not at the end). We also explore how to use due diligence to create an efficient gift management process, enabling organisations to speed up the gift acceptance process.

In the first of this webinar series about driving efficiencies in philanthropy, we’re thrilled to be joined by Ben Rymer. Ben is a fundraising expert with 14 years of experience working at household-name charities like Age UK and Cancer Research UK. Currently, he helps UNICEF’s Prospect Research Specialists raise private funds, focusing on opportunities worth $1 million or more. He’ll share his knowledge with us, discussing inefficient prospect research processes he’s seen, the problems they cause, successful approaches he’s encountered, and the lessons we can learn from them.