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Kansas State University

KSU Foundation
Research

To fulfill its mission, the KSU Foundation must raise money efficiently and effectively. The research process allows fundraisers to focus time and resources on those activities that produce the highest return. Through research, information about individuals, companies, and foundations is developed to identify prospects with the highest giving potential; to match prospects' interests and needs with those of the university; and to plan personalized fund-raising solicitations.

Beyond fulfilling its mission for Kansas State University, the Foundation offers donors an opportunity to further their own charitable goals and to make philanthropy a meaningful experience. Foundation fundraisers do this by identifying prospects' philosophies and principles and determining their desired legacies. This process is enhanced by good research.

To identify prospects and to plan fund-raising strategies and solicitation amounts, fund-raisers need to know the answers to the following basic questions:

  1. What is the prospect's giving capacity?
  2. What are the prospect's interests?
  3. What is the relationship of the prospect to the institution?
  4. Who are influential persons with the prospect?

To provide the answers to these basic questions, the Research Department collects information, which completes alumni records and, when necessary, goes beyond what is routinely collected. Information is collected from the following sources:

  1. Alumni/donor database
  2. Office files
  3. Screening services
  4. Reference books
  5. Reference CDs
  6. Internet
  7. Libraries

The Research Department follows these principles and procedures in the collection and use of prospect information.

  1. Ethical Principles
    1. Seek and record only information that is relevant to the fund-raising effort.
    2. Be truthful about the purpose and the identity of the Foundation during the course of research.
    3. Protect confidential donor or prospect information (information provided by the individual or his or her representatives.)
    4. Record all data accurately.
  2. Procedures
    1. Collection
      1. Collection shall be done lawfully. Methods of investigation must be both ordinary and reasonable.
      2. Information collected and stored may include all public records.
      3. When requesting public information, neither individual nor institutional identity shall be concealed.
      4. Whenever possible, payments for public records will be made through the Foundation.
    2. Recording
      1. Information shall be stated in an objective and factual manner.
      2. Documents pertaining to donors or prospects shall be destroyed when no longer needed (e.g., shredded).
    3. Use
      1. Non-public information is the property of the Foundation and shall not be given to persons other than those who need that information in the performance of their duties.
      2. Only public or published information may be shared with colleagues at other institutions as a professional courtesy.
      3. Prospect information is the property of the Foundation and shall not be taken to another institution.
      4. Prospect information shall be stored securely to prevent access by unauthorized persons.
      5. Research documents containing donor or prospect information that is to be used outside research offices shall be clearly marked "confidential."
      6. Special protection shall be afforded all records pertaining to anonymous donors.