Development & Partnerships Prospect Research Associate (Contract)

Acumen is preparing to launch a $250M fundraising campaign. We are seeking to increase our capacity by hiring a Prospect Research Associate on a 12-month fixed-term contract to provide operational and research support to supplement the individual fundraising cohort’s efforts. This role reports to the Associate Director of Development & Partnerships. Acumen operates under a hybrid work agreement; we are in our NYC office three days a week.

About Acumen
Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half a billion lives. To learn more, visit acumen.org.

About the Development & Partnerships team
We are a small and mighty team responsible for fundraising to support Acumen’s work globally. We sit at the nexus of philanthropy and investing. The successful candidate will walk in both worlds and be a results-driven performer. Given our entrepreneurial culture, the candidate must be a self-starter, be curious and analytical, and be comfortable managing both up and across teams.

About the position:
We are seeking to increase our capacity by hiring a full-time Prospect Research Associate on a 12-month contract to provide operational and research support to supplement our individual donor cohort’s fundraising efforts in our NYC office. This role reports to the Associate Director of Development & Partnerships.

The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to support a leader in venture philanthropy and take their research skills to the next level. The individual should have strong organizational skills and be comfortable dedicating significant time to researching and identifying prospects.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Using fundraising research tools, including Altrata and DonorAtlas, to identify and qualify high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth prospects and family foundations, map connections to Acumen’s leadership, and collaborate with relationship managers within the high-net-worth cohort to conduct and track outreach to expand the donor pipeline for our fundraising campaign.

• Researching, qualifying, and tracking prospective attendees for the 2027 25th anniversary gala.

• Salesforce database management

• Generating leads through research and targeted outreach to lapsed partners and prospects in our database, fueling the expansion of our Partner community

• Ensuring excellence in the management of Salesforce data

• Create Salesforce reports and analyze data to inform fundraising and event trends; research and map giving trends, and share findings with the wider team.

• Be willing to contribute outside of these areas as needed. There will likewise be opportunities to explore and contribute to other areas of Acumen’s work that align with your personal or professional interests.

A strong candidate would bring:

• At least a year of experience working in the US non-profit sector in fundraising or philanthropy organizations, or similar.

• The ability to handle confidential, personal information and respect privacy policies.

• Strong research skills with the ability to develop proactive prospecting methodologies, including data mining and sophisticated constituent data queries.

• The highest standards of ethics and aligned with Acumen’s values.

• Highly organized, motivated self-starter who is resourceful, capable of adapting, and working with colleagues across multiple geographies.

• The ability to work and deliver projects independently, proactively, and within deadlines.

• An interest in technology, with ideally a working knowledge of Salesforce.

• Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen’s values

• Permanent authorization to work in the US

Compensation : $28.85/hour

Deadline : Please submit an application by January 30, 2026.

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