Risky Business: Creating a due diligence policy for your organization and how it differs from prospect research

Risky Business: Creating a due diligence policy for your organization and how it differs from prospect research 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020

1:00 PM-2:30PM EDT

Online

Due diligence research has become a hot topic in philanthropy over the last few years. The Epstein and Sackler scandals are only a few recent and well-known controversies to highlight the need for risk assessment within development organizations. Some prospect research shops are outsourcing their due diligence research to consultants or to firms whose specialty is this type of research. Other organizations are hiring researchers specifically for the task or including it as a part of their prospect research protocol for all researchers. The one thing all development research professionals have in common is commitment to their organization’s mission and the Apra code of ethics.

The goal of prospect research is to asses a prospect’s potential for giving, but the goal of due diligence is to protect the organization from potential harm. When to complete this type of research in the solicitation or gift acceptance process is going to be determined by the needs of the organization and the type of prospect. Helen Brown recently stated, “Prospect research asks if they can give, and due diligence asks what their giving says about them.”

In this presentation, Michele Borucki of the Helen Brown Group will provide attendees with tips and tools to create their own due diligence policy for their organization and talk about helpful resources (some they may already be using!). She will also discuss the major differences between prospect research and due diligence and the ethics and possible risks associated with doing this type of research.

Learning outcomes:

1)         Attendees will feel empowered to draft a due diligence policy for their specific organization and identify the best resources to complete this type of research.

2)         Attendees will understand the differences between prospect research and due diligence research.

3)         Attendees will know the ethics and possible risks associated with completing due diligence research.

PRESENTER:

Michele Borucki began her career in development in 2012 as a Development Analyst with the University of California, Berkeley Corporate and Foundation Relations team. Before joining the Helen Brown Group, she served as a Prospect Analyst at University of California, Davis and a Senior Prospect Analyst at the George Washington University. Michele is a member of NEDRA, Apra Florida, and Apra International and previously served as the Social Media Chair for Apra Metro DC. She received her B.A. in creative writing from Florida State University and studied higher education leadership at California State University, Sacramento. She currently lives in Tampa, FL with her husband and two children. Michele joined the Helen Brown Group in July 2018.

COST:

$50 Members

$100 Non-Members

LOCATION:

Attendees will receive a Zoom link a day before the event; this meeting will be held as a Zoom meeting and a recording will not be available.

DEADLINES:

Registration closes on Thursday, October 22nd at 9:00AM.