Reflections on 10 Years of Prospect Research Institute

by | Jan 2, 2023 | Learning Edge Blog, News

Jennifer Filla

The Prospect Research Institute officially came into being in 2014, but a lot of hard work started in 2013, assessing the market, deciding on the structure, and creating the first content. From the very beginning it was important to me that the professional community be invited in to ensure that one person’s experience (mine) didn’t eclipse the varied experiences and environments prospect researchers encounter.

And from the very beginning colleagues just like you have stepped in and volunteered with advice, corrections, and suggestions.

In the Institute’s most recent re-launch on a new website learning platform, more than 100 of you volunteered to review content – astounding! And a clear reminder that fundraising researchers share and care about professionalizing the field.

As I look forward to the Institute’s tenth year and beyond, my goals are much the same. Reach out to the community – the global community – to keep creating comprehensive, rigorous content that can be used to train prospect research professionals anywhere.

Thank you for listening to this podcast. Thank you for supporting professional education for prospect researchers. And thank you for allowing me and the Prospect Research Institute to serve you.



Words from happy Researchers

Success Stories

I love your Master Class format – small group, clearly defined curriculum, solid professional information and resources and focus on discussion.  But most importantly I was impressed and delighted to see that you incorporated an additional and extremely practical layer of knowledge, through hands on experience with tools (pivot tables) or resources (Candid).  This adds real value to the educational experience you offer.

Betsy Mehlman

2020-Master Class

Jen’s course on insider stock and compensation was informative, interesting, and well-thought out. Jen broke down the complicated material into digestible pieces. She showed us resources that I use in my day-to-day research that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about. Jen is always quick to respond and has been helpful even after the class has ended. She answers questions thoroughly and is always pleasant.

I was able to take what I learned from the course and present the material to our front-line fundraisers. One fundraiser told me after my presentation that she discovered one of her donor’s compensation was much higher than she thought. So, already, this information has come in handy! Thanks again Jen!

Kim Anthony, San Francisco CA

Insider Stock and Compensation

The Capacity Rating Workshop was really useful. I was new to the prospect research field when I took the workshop, so it helped to demystify capacity ratings for me. The online classroom provided a great forum for interaction with the other participants and for a robust exchange of ideas. Beyond that though, Jen shared a wealth of information and resources about capacity ratings and other important aspects of prospect research. I highly recommend this workshop whether you’re new to the field or have years of experience in our profession.

David Lloyd, Prospect Research Professional, San Francisco, CA

Capacity Rating Workshop

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