Finding the Stories Behind Major Gifts

Major gifts rarely come out of the blue. Behind every transformative donation is a mix of motivations, values and long-standing relationships — and uncovering those stories has become one of the most important parts of modern fundraising. Across Australia and New Zealand, prospect research is the quiet craft making this possible.

The quiet engine behind major gifts

Prospect research helps fundraisers understand who their strongest supporters are and why they might give. It blends strategy, curiosity and careful analysis all while respecting and protecting privacy, and is an essential part of the major donor journey across charities, universities, schools, arts organisations, hospitals and community groups.

Fundraising Research and Consulting (FR&C) has shaped this field for over 20 years, supporting more than 700 organisations. Their work spans individuals, companies and foundations, offering wealth screenings, donor profiles, new prospect identification and due diligence. At its core, the aim is simple: give fundraisers accurate, timely insights so they can build stronger, more confident relationships.

Why human-led research matters

In an era of automation, prospect research still requires human judgment. FR&C conducts all research manually, ensuring accuracy and nuance while protecting client data. Strict adherence to Australian and New Zealand privacy legislation means information is handled carefully, stored securely and deleted once each project is complete — a critical reassurance for teams working with sensitive supporter information.

Surfacing what you already have

One of the most powerful truths in fundraising is that many major donors are already connected to you. Alumni, volunteers, recurring donors and community champions often have both affinity and capacity. FR&C’s Wealthscan screening service helps organisations reveal these hidden prospects within their own networks, including links to philanthropic trusts, across both Australia and New Zealand.

Understanding the philanthropic landscape

Giftsearch, FR&C’s searchable database, has become a staple resource for fundraisers wanting to understand giving patterns. With more than 1.2 million publicly reported donations to over 450 organisations, it provides a clear and accurate picture of philanthropic activity across Australia and New Zealand — without hours of manual searching.

When deeper insight is needed

Sometimes fundraisers need more than a list. FR&C’s profiling service offers a richer look at a prospect’s interests, career history, philanthropy and networks. For significant or naming-rights gifts, their due diligence work helps organisations assess reputational risk.

And with many teams stretched for time, FR&C’s prospect rating service helps determine connection, interest and capacity — giving clarity on where to focus effort for the greatest impact.

Contact: Molly Masiello | molly@fundraisingresearch.com.au | www.fundraisingresearch.com.au | FR&C LinkedIn