Prospect Research Using Library Databases and Resources
Databases
- Hoover's Online*
- COMPANIES
Go to the this section of the database if you have specific company names you wish to research. Be sure to look at the PEOPLE area of each company record to investigate possible individual prospects that work for each company you are researching.
- BUILD A LIST
This section will enable you to search for prospects by:
- Company Location
- Company Size
- Industry
- Company Type
- People
- Financial Data
- Specialty Criteria
- ReferenceUSA*
- BUSINESSES/CUSTOM
Put together specialized lists of potential business prospects by:
- Business Type
- Geography
- Business Size
- Type of Ownership
- Special Selects
- RESIDENTIAL / CUSTOM
Go to the Residential section of the database and research the home address of prospective funders with listed phone numbers. Search by:
- Name
- Geography
- Special Selects
- Marquis Who's Who and Wealth Engine
- Research individuals. Available for use in the Library only.
- Business & Company ASAP*
- Read ARTICLES written about specific business persons or companies in which you are interested.
- Read Crain's Chicago Business in the LIMIT TO THE FOLLOWING JOURNAL section. Read Crain's news on area business persons by entering 'On The Move' in the LIMIT TO ENTRIES CONTAINING THE WORDS section.
- Chicago Tribune*
- Chicago Sun Times* and Daily Herald*
- Search for articles on local people and companies.
- Wall Street Journal*
- Retrieve company information from this business newspaper
- Read the daily paper on your computer under the PUBLICATIONS section.
*All these databases can be accessed from off campus. You will need a COD Library card to access these databases remotely.
Reference Sources
- Book of Lists. Crain Communications
Ref HC 108 .C4 B665
See 'People' section - Fortunate 100; Highest-paid non-CEO's; Who's Who; 40 Under 40.
- Book of Lists. Business Ledger
Ref HC 108 .C4 B666
Top businesses in the west and northwest suburbs.
- Mini Rich Register - Illinois
Phil Center Ref HC 79 .W4 M56
Richest individuals in Illinois. Must have net worth estimate of at least $25 million and have a listed office address.
Web Sites
- Crain's Chicago Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com
See Crain's Lists and People/Profiles.
- Google
http://www.google.com
This search engine can be very useful when you are researching individuals.
- Yahoo Finance
http:finance.yahoo.com
What are the stock holdings of your prospect? Select "Major Holders" on the left side of the company record. This search may result in other prospects as well!
- APRA - Asssociation of Professional Researchers for Advancement
http://www.aprahome.org
Useful links to advancement resources. See the APRA Statement of Ethics @ ABOUT APRA > PRIVACY & ETHICS.
- David Lamb's Prospect Research Page
http://www.lambresearch.com
Useful links to prospect research Internet sites.
- PRSPCT-L
http://charitychannel.com/archives/prspct-l.html
An electronic mail list for discussion of prospect research issues.
Other Resources
- College of DuPage Library Catalog
- To search for specific nonprofit topics in books and audiovisual materials in the Library, access the 'Materials for Checkout' section on the Philanthropy Center web site. The major heading to search by SUBJECT is "Fund Raising."
- Search the C.O.D. Library Catalog by Keyword for other nonprofit topics not listed above. For example, try searching by Keyword to find books on specific subjects such as "Annual Giving," "Major Gifts" or "Prospect Research.
Christine Kickels, Reference Librarian
(630) 942-2313
kickels@cod.edu
Reference Desk: (630) 942-3364
