“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.

K-Shaped Economy

Reading the Room — Economy, Philanthropy, and the Researcher’s Role in What Comes Next

by Aspire Research Group
September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

The philanthropic landscape is shifting — and researchers who understand why will be the ones leading their organizations forward.

Are My Donors Okay? How the K-Shaped Economy Is Splitting Your Prospect Pool in Two

by Jennifer Filla
April 1, 2026April 15, 2026
Major Gift Teams, Research in Fundraising

A note on the mixed economic signals reshaping major gift fundraising Retail sales are on track to hit $5.6 trillion… Read More »Are My Donors Okay? How the K-Shaped Economy Is Splitting Your Prospect Pool in Two

K-Shaped Capacity Ratings Workshop

by Aspire Research Group
December 19, 2025April 28, 2026

Gift “Kapacity” Ratings in the K-Shaped Economy What if you’re missing your biggest prospects because you’re using the wrong measuring… Read More »K-Shaped Capacity Ratings Workshop