The RiF Prospect Research Handbook is being written by prospect researchers for prospect researchers and we are looking for more prospect research practitioners to join our team to help create content on a wide range on research topics.
Write / Edit Content
Teams of volunteers collaborate to design and co-produce Handbook content that enhances researchers’ knowledge, understanding, and confidence to carry out their roles as effectively as possible and maximise the benefits their research brings to their organisation’s fundraising.
The Handbook work is all carried out remotely using MS Teams as our shared workspace and Zoom for fortnightly team meetings. We have an international volunteer team and are happy to welcome researchers from any country.
If you are experienced and knowledgeable in one or more of the following areas of prospect research and can spare at least 4-6 hours a month, we’d love to have you on board. We’re recruiting for all of the chapter listed as ‘Planned’ in our contents list.
- Content writers attend fortnightly meetings that last up to 1 hour and then spend additional time between meetings creating their content. This can be anything from 1-2 hours upwards depending on how much time you can contribute.
- Editors typically spend 3-6 hours per chapter they edit depending on length and complexity.
Beta Reading
Beta-readers read and provide feedback on individual Handbook chapters in the final stage of the editing and review process. You’ll need to have a couple of hours to spare, an interest in prospect research, and the ability to give both positive and constructive feedback. Beta-readers can’t have previously been involved in creating or editing to help ensure they are able to review and feedback as objectively as possible. The role is carried out remotely.
- Beta readers spend on average 1-3 hours reading and providing feedback on a chapter.
Micro-volunteering
Micro-volunteering is an opportunity for you to make one-off bite-sized contributions to the ‘Researchers in Fundraising: Best Practice Guide and Handbook for Prospect Research’. These remote volunteering opportunities could include answering a short questionnaire, providing a case study, submitting a soundbite, or providing a template or example document from your own prospect research practice.
- Each micro-volunteering activity lasts no more than 1 hour and you can take on as many or as few tasks as you have capacity for.
Chapter lead
The chapter lead takes on the remote project management for an individual chapter. This role includes planning and running meetings, meeting admin, keeping track of tasks and deadlines, and coordinating the chapter’s progression through the various stages of planning, writing, and editing. It is not necessary to also be a content writer or editor for a chapter you are the lead for. If you are interested in this volunteer role, please get in touch for a chat.
- Chapter leads prepare for and attend fortnightly chapter needs which last for 1 hour each.
- Chapter leads create meetings agendas and notes, and keep track of tasks and deadlines between meetings spending an average of 1-2 hours per fortnight on these supporting tasks.
RiF Committee Handbook Lead
The role of Handbook Lead is to co-ordinate activities related to the Handbook, and be the main point of contact for matters and issues arising. Responsibilities include being an active member of the Handbook Steering Committee, supporting and facilitating the work of Handbook volunteers through the MS Teams hub, and working collaboratively with other committee members and the Handbook Project Manager.
- This role will require a time commitment of around 10 hours per month and can be carried out fully remotely.
RiF Handbook Website and IT Support
The main role of the Handbook Support Officer is to ensure the smooth operation of the Handbook’s online WordPress platform including adding and updating content, review and address issues arising with the platform, and deal with other Handbook purchase, use and IT related queries. The Handbook Support Officer may also provide additional administrative support to the Handbook Lead in other areas of Handbook activity.
- This role will require a time commitment of around 5-10 hours per month and can be carried out fully remotely.
Here’s why some of our current volunteers are involved:
It allows me to share with the current and future prospect development community what I’ve learned over the past decade. I’ve been fortunate to have been given opportunities to learn and develop in my previous roles and much of that has been learnt from others in the community. It’s my way of paying it forward.
Suzie Stephens, Founder of The Prospect Development Company
I’m involved with the handbook as it should be the single greatest single resource for Prospect Research in the UK.
Karl Newton, Director, Business Services Team, RBG Kew
Having to outline case studies, processes and experiences for this project makes you go back to basics, analyse and query knowledge you take for granted, as well as discuss and debate with others. Having this mindset throughout the project was a valuable learning experience for me and I would recommend it to anyone, regardless of their level of experience.
Sofia Kelesidou, Associate Director, Research
It has definitely been interesting discussing these areas of work with other members of the prospect research community. Creating the content has been enjoyable. It is rewarding to feel like you are a part of something bigger that will benefit the whole sector.
Chris Davis, Prospect Researcher
It’s a great opportunity to build your confidence and push yourself to think more about what your role does on a daily basis (and how it can strengthen fundraising projects!)
Sara, Development Research Officer