Workshop: Prospect Research

October 10, 2026 11:00am-4:30pm ET

Overview

One of the most important skills in fundraising is knowing how to determine the wealth and interests of individual prospects. Whether you’re a gift officer on the frontlines or behind the scenes supporting the work of others, it’s important to approach your research in an organized and systematic way. Doing so will help your team stay focused on the right prospects today, while developing a stronger donor pipeline for the future.

Join us on Thursday, October 1st, for an interactive online workshop to learn how to conduct good prospect research to support your institution’s fundraising efforts.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

  • Learn a simple practical process to guide their research efforts
  • Get guidance from industry experts as well as input from peers
  • Set goals that are both ambitious and realistic.
  • Think about the most effective ways to allocate limited resources
  • Obtain tools, templates, and other materials
  • And more!

This event is ideal for advancement professionals at educational institutions who want help developing and/or refining their research efforts.

  • Save $250 when you register by Friday, August 21st
  • AGN Members save an additional 30%
  • Receive further discounts when registering multiple attendees from one institution

Program

(all times are Eastern Time)

11:20pm - Sign-In Begins

11:30pm - Welcome/Grasping the Fundamentals (75 min)

Meet the faculty, get an overview of the program, and learn key concepts of prospect research.

12:45pm - Assignment/Break (15min)

Take time to prepare for the next session

1:00pm - Discussion Session 1 (60 min)

2:00pm - Break (30 min)

Take time to prepare for the next session

2:30pm - Discussion Session 2 (75 min)

3:45pm - Bringing It All Together (15 min)

Hear key takeaways, lessons learned, and words of advice from the workshop’s expert faculty.

4:00pm - Workshop Ends

*Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Faculty

Dan Allenby  (Host) |  President & Founder at Annual Giving Network

Dan is an author, speaker, and consultant who has worked with educational institutions for more than 25 years to improve their fundraising results. An internationally recognized expert on annual giving, he is a CASE Laureate and recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. His book Ideas for Annual Giving offers designs for helping organizations increase their levels of sustainable philanthropic support. Dan has led annual giving and membership programs at Boston University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society. He also served on the faculty for CASE’s Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising and chaired its Senior Annual Giving Professionals Conference and Annual Giving Workshop for five collective terms. He holds a B.A. in History from James Madison University and a M.B.A. from Boston College. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, writing songs, and getting away to the beaches of Cape Cod. His philosophy is that success comes from focusing on what’s right in front of you.

Michael O'Brien

Michael O’Brien has led annual giving and alumni affairs efforts at Wheaton College, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and Boston College High School. Michael’s other experience includes admissions, teaching, college counseling and international programs prior to working in development. Mike holds degrees from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Hobart & William Smith Colleges where he was a four-year member and team captain of Hobart’s lacrosse team.

For more information about this workshop, please contact us at 888.407.5064 or [email protected].