14 free (or almost free) major donor research tools

1. ZoomInfo
   Bios, articles and personal connections.
2. ZabaSearch
   Homes, addresses and sometimes phone numbers.
3. AlumniFinder
   Fee service has extensive address information.
4. Tax Assessor
   List of links to all states and many counties.
5. Yahoo! Real Estate
   Up to date information on comparable home prices.
6. Hoover’s
   Business reports and profiles.
7. Business Journals
   Search all business journals nationwide.
8. Insiders
   Check for insider holdings at public companies.
9. GuideStar
   Determine if they have a personal or family foundation.
10. Political Giving
    See their own gifts, as well as see who are their neighbors.
11. Donor Series
    Often incomplete, but still useful list of gifts.
12. American Lawyer 100
    Lists salaries at top law firms.
13. Martindale
    Locate lawyers nationwide.
14. Google
    Visit here last and limit your searching.

These tips came from a recent San Francisco Development Executive Roundtable (DER) presentation given by Major Gifts Consultant Barbara E. Pierce. She recommends strictly limiting yourself to an initial 20 minutes of research per prospect, to ensure that you don’t get swept away down the preverbal Google “rabbit hole.” If your nonprofit needs a top quality Major Gifts Consultant, consider contacting Barbara. You won't be disappointed.