Donor Prospecting, Research & Alignment Toolkit

By NGO Success Hub

Before you write the proposal, check whether the opportunity fits.

Does the funder support your country and programme? Is your organisation eligible? Does your proposed request fit the funding range—and is there a valid route to apply?

This toolkit gives NGO leaders, fundraisers and grant teams a structured process for answering those questions with documented evidence.

What you receive

1. Donor Prospecting, Research & Alignment Handbook — PDF

A practical guide to finding prospects, verifying sources, researching U.S. foundations through Form 990-PF, checking eligibility, assessing alignment and organising your prospect pipeline. Includes a fictional worked example showing how research leads to a decision.

2. Donor Prospecting Workbook — PDF

Put the process into practice with 11 tools:

• Organisation Snapshot
• Start in 45 Minutes guided exercise
• Prospect Research Record
• U.S. Form 990-PF Research Worksheet
• Eligibility and Alignment Scorecard
• Pre-Application Checklist
• Prospect Pipeline Tracker
• Cultivation and Outreach Log
• Research Source Directory
• Thirty-Day Prospecting Plan
• Mistakes and Weekly Review Checklist

3. Editable Donor Prospecting Workbook — Word

The same workbook in an editable format, so you can complete it digitally, adapt the fields and duplicate research records for different opportunities.

Use the toolkit to

• Separate mandatory eligibility requirements from broader alignment.
• Record sources, findings and unanswered questions.
• Assess mission, geography, funding range, timing and organisational capacity.
• Make a documented Proceed, Hold or Kill / Archive decision.
• Assign an owner, next action and review date to each active prospect.

Who it is for

NGO and nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, programme teams and grant consultants researching U.S. foundations and global institutional funding opportunities.

Included: three downloadable files—one PDF handbook, one PDF workbook and one editable Word workbook.

This is a self-guided research toolkit. It does not include a verified donor shortlist, personalised donor research or guaranteed funding.

Get the toolkit and start assessing your next prospect with evidence.