Use This Simple Form to Create a ‘Snapshot’ of Your Donors

Prospect researchers often collect and share dozens of details on donors and potential supporters. Keeping track of that information for lots of donors can be a challenge for fundraisers.

Laura Frye, who leads the development office of Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Boston, developed a simple form that provides a “clear snapshot of information the development office, executive office, or a board member might need about a donor or potential donor.”

Frye generously shared her form with the Chronicle so other fundraisers can download and adapt it. She recommends including the following information, at a minimum:

• A donor’s history with your organization, including a brief list of gift amounts and dates
• The next potential interaction with your organization
• Basic biographical data, including age, family members, and professional information
• Gifts made to other nonprofits
• Possible connections the donor has to others in your organization’s orbit

Download Frye’s prospect-research “cheat sheet” to create a user-friendly overview for each of your big donors.