“Every capital campaign requires a unique blend between the art and science of philanthropy. Our campaign cabinet had been working on 25 top prospects- we knew them, they knew us- but we had no idea what to ask for. By accessing a wide array of public information, Aspire Research helped us verify the interest and capacity of several prospects and confirmed that no public information was available on the rest. Aspire provides us with good data, the science, which we are using to build stronger relationships- the art of philanthropy.”

Steve Dickie, Oklahoma Methodist Manor

Prospect Research for Fundraisers: The Essential Handbook

Jen Filla, president of Aspire Research Group, teamed up with Helen Brown to write Prospect Research for Fundraisers: The Essential Handbook.

“Congratulations to the authors on producing a book that should be in every development officer’s library.” -Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE

From essential overviews to how-to-search skills, this practical book gives the development team the tools to understand how to use prospect research in ways that best fit their goals for each stage of the fundraising cycle.

donor research

Transformative Gift Opportunity with Family Offices

by Aspire Research Group
November 4, 2025December 12, 2025
Major Gift Teams

The number of family offices and their investable wealth has exploded over the past few years, but that isn’t the… Read More »Transformative Gift Opportunity with Family Offices

How $83 Trillion Could Disrupt Traditional Fundraising – And What you Can Do About It

by Jennifer Filla
October 1, 2025October 1, 2025
Major Gift Teams

Why Your Next Major Donor Won’t Look Like Your Last: We’re standing at the edge of the largest wealth transfer… Read More »How $83 Trillion Could Disrupt Traditional Fundraising – And What you Can Do About It

Success alert! Start individual giving with major gifts and this trusty side-kick

by Jennifer Filla
September 1, 2025September 2, 2025
Research in Fundraising

Your board chair just cornered you after the meeting. “We need to focus on major gifts,” she declares. “We don’t… Read More »Success alert! Start individual giving with major gifts and this trusty side-kick

Stop Chasing Strangers: The Major Gift Strategy That’s Hiding in Plain Sight

by Jennifer Filla
August 1, 2025July 5, 2026
Prospect Identification

You need $1.5 million for your new program. The board meeting is next month. The president is breathing down your… Read More »Stop Chasing Strangers: The Major Gift Strategy That’s Hiding in Plain Sight

Off the Shelf – Volume II: Curated Reads for Smarter Fundraising Research

by Aspire Research Group
July 2, 2025September 2, 2025
Aspire News, Major Gift Teams, Profiles, Research in Fundraising

Just in case you missed the memo from your air conditioning bill, it’s officially summer 2025. And while others are… Read More »Off the Shelf – Volume II: Curated Reads for Smarter Fundraising Research

Why Insiders?

by Aspire Research Group
February 4, 2025March 28, 2025
Major Gift Teams, Prospect Identification

We may have heard the phrase “company insider” before but it may not be clear what it means. It definitely… Read More »Why Insiders?

3 Reasons You Should Care About Family Offices

by Aspire Research Group
July 2, 2024March 28, 2025
Major Gift Teams, Profiles, Research in Fundraising

When I first heard of a family office, I thought it was a fancy way of saying a family business.… Read More »3 Reasons You Should Care About Family Offices

5 Reasons Why You Can’t Find a Prospect’s Giving

by Aspire Research Group
June 10, 2024March 28, 2025
Profiles

When meeting a new prospect, it’s quite exhilarating to find out that they are philanthropic and have given generously to… Read More »5 Reasons Why You Can’t Find a Prospect’s Giving

Will a Wealth Screening Really Help Me?

by Aspire Contributor
May 11, 2024October 18, 2024
Research in Fundraising

When you are looking to find qualified major gift prospects in your database, want to segment your donor database for… Read More »Will a Wealth Screening Really Help Me?

Fishing for Prospects: The Promise of Validations

by Aspire Research Group
October 31, 2023March 28, 2025
Profiles, Prospect Identification

Finding new prospects is often compared to fishing. You throw out a proverbial net and hopefully get an incredible number… Read More »Fishing for Prospects: The Promise of Validations