Jennifer Filla is a resourceful fundraiser with an innovative focus on prospect development.
Researcher, consultant, author, speaker and trainer, her mission is to perform research with distinction and to provide other fundraising professionals with the power to PERFORM their work with excellence, LEAD with research, and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
She founded Aspire Research Group LLC to assist organizations throughout the country that are concerned about finding the right prospects, worried about what size gift to ask for, or are struggling to meet major gift goals.
She founded the Prospect Research Institute, which offers the first-ever, rigorous online courses in prospect development in the industry.
After co-authoring the popular book, Prospect Research for Fundraisers: The Essential Handbook, with research veteran Helen Brown, Jen was inspired by the feedback. The fundraising industry was craving information about prospect research. In response, she founded the Prospect Research Institute, which offers the first-ever, online courses focused solely on fundraising research. Now there is a place to learn prospect research rigorously and methodically. No more hidden gaps in knowledge affecting fundraising success!
A long time ago in a far-away career, Jen got hooked on research as a legal secretary. She jumped into fundraising at the Delaware County Historical Society in Pennsylvania. She has worked in prospect research at The Devereux Foundation and in corporate and foundation relations and as a major gift officer at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital.
Deeply committed to advancing philanthropy and the fundraising profession, she has served as a volunteer and trustee for numerous organizations over the years including The Center Foundation, The Mentor Center, and Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County. She served as troop leader for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern PA for ten years.
Jen is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She received a B.S. from Neumann University.