A visit to the lobbies of other nonprofit organizations may also provide an abundance of names for your prospect list. Donor walls and plaques in museums, theaters, schools, churches, hospitals, and social service agencies can give you the key names and gift levels of donors in your community that you can pursue for support of your organization's programs and services. Prospect Rating Prospect rating is important for all development programs. It allows you to gather information about your donors, prospects, and members. This information will help you to rate their ability to give or increase their level of participation.
Some organizations employ the assistance of professional development consulting firms.
They can rate your donor prospects through computerized analysis and compilation of information contained within public documents and a variety of other sources. They determine prospects' net worth through real estate and stock holdings, salary and benefit levels, education, family composition, memberships in organizations, service on boards of directors, involvement with nonprofit organizations, level of charitable giving, and propensity to give additional gifts to other charities. This information is valuable but may be beyond the financial means of your organization. Still, even the smallest development shop can implement a low-cost prospect rating process that will strengthen its development efforts. Don't wait to start reaping the benefits.