What are the prospect’s interests?

How much have they previously contributed to your organization?

What is the largest gift they have ever given to your organization?

When was the last time they contributed to your organization?

What is the largest gift they have ever given to any organization?

Who on the Board or staff could be helpful with cultivating the solicitation?

Do they give individually or through their company or family foundation?

Do they have a philanthropic fund with a local foundation? If so, how large is their fund?

Are they potential candidates for estate planning and/or deferred giving?

Who are their key financial advisors?

Have they recently come into wealth, sold a business or inherited significant resources?

How financially secure is their business?

Do they have a loved one who may be appropriate for memorializing or distinguishing with an honorarium gift?

Does someone within your organization have an established relationship with the prospect which would be supportive of the solicitation?

Would the prospective donor raise any issues relative to the solicitation?

What would be the best setting to conduct an initial meeting?

How much could you reasonably ask them to consider as a gift?

What information, materials, hand-outs or visuals would be helpful to inspire a particular prospect?