Prospect Research Bootcamp

A 4-WEEK, ONLINE COURSE PRESENTED BY CFA

APRIL 19 – MAY 17, 2026

Course Description:

Fundraising is both an art and a science, and prospect research is part of the science that makes fundraising more strategic. This course is designed for development professionals, fundraisers, and anyone wanting a practical introduction to prospect research. Participants will gain the skills needed to identify and qualify new donors, interpret wealth indicators and giving patterns, and prioritize donor outreach based on real data – not just instinct.

Course Details:

Instructor: Stephanie Willis, CFA Consultant and Apra Board Member
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Format: Asynchronous learning through recorded lectures, readings, weekly assignments, plus live kickoff and live cohort office hours
Investment: $300 for tuition and all course materials, offered at a special introductory price of $99 per person

Learning Outcomes:

This course will give you the prospect research skills and confidence, adding tangible value to your organization. Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate potential donors using ethical research practices
• Learn how to interpret wealth indicators and giving patterns
• Use a variety of free prospect research tools and understand when paid tools help
• Translate prospect research into clear, useful insights for fundraisers
• Develop stronger, more strategic gift ask recommendations
• Begin building or improving a prospect research system at your organization
• Earn 8 Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credits

Space is limited! To ensure a high-quality experience for everyone, CFA is limiting the cohort to 30 participants, so sign up early to secure your spot.

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