Funder Prospect Research Flashcards
7 cards from real Grant Writing practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Funder Prospect Research flashcards as text
Which factor distinguishes a 'cold prospect' from a 'warm prospect' in funder research?
Answer: A warm prospect has an existing relationship with your organization or a mutual connection
Prospect 'temperature' refers to the strength of your relationship with the funder, not funding history or award size.
A foundation's annual report is valuable for prospect research because it typically includes:
Answer: Narrative descriptions of funded projects and funder priorities for the year
Annual reports often feature stories of funded work and board messages that reveal a funder's evolving values and strategic priorities.
What is a 'suspect' in the prospect research pipeline?
Answer: An unvetted potential funder that appears promising but has not yet been researched for fit
In fundraising pipeline terminology, a suspect is an unqualified lead — it needs research to determine whether it becomes a true prospect.
When a funder's guidelines say they fund '501(c)(3) organizations only,' an organization with 501(c)(4) status should:
Answer: Partner with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to apply on its behalf
A 501(c)(4) organization can access funding requiring 501(c)(3) status by partnering with a qualified fiscal sponsor.
Which of the following best describes 'prospect cultivation' after initial research is complete?
Answer: Building a relationship with the funder through site visits, updates, and strategic communication before applying
Cultivation is the relationship-building phase between identifying a prospect and submitting an application, aimed at warming the connection.
A community foundation posts a competitive grant cycle open to all local nonprofits. Which prospect research step is MOST critical before applying?
Answer: Reviewing recent grant awards to identify which program areas received funding
Analyzing recent awards reveals which program areas and project types the foundation has actually funded, helping you assess true competitive fit.
When tracking prospects in a grants calendar, which information is MOST critical to record for each funder?
Answer: Application deadline, expected decision date, and required submission format
Deadlines, decision timelines, and submission requirements are the operational essentials that determine how and when you take action on each prospect.