Sarah Bernstein writes about trusting our guts: "no algorithm can yet replace the intellectual leaps a skilled researcher is able to make, when their training and experience evolve into instinct."

https://srbernstein2.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/trusting-your-prospect-research-gut/

An interesting read about the unique world of Islamic banking and finance for those that research Middle Eastern prospects:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1056075/financial-services-the-curious-case-of-islamic-wealth/

Ben has produced four not-to-be-missed interviews in the past month:

Josh Birkholz Interview: “Fundraising is Industrialising…Analytics Has a Big Role to Play”

Marianne Pelletier Interview: "The Power of Understanding Donor Engagement"

Craig Linton Interview: “The Market for Something to Believe In Is Infinite”

Please click on the image below for more information about DonorScape!

Ade Adeniji with Inside Philanthropy discusses how higher ed leadership roles influence the timing of gifts, in particular a $20 million gift Wesleyan University recently received. 

http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2016/2/3/now-theres-a-nice-goodbye-behind-a-major-gift-by-this-alumnu.html

How do you make sure that if your top donors go down, you don't go down with them? 

http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2016/2/25/the-meltdown-manual-what-to-do-when-your-donors-get-killed-i.html

James Rygg of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network reminds us of the importance of building relationships: "Take time to get out from behind your monitor and go talk to someone. Make a friend. Be a friend. Do the things that friends should do for one another (even looking up phone numbers)."

http://prospectdevelopment.blogspot.com/2016/02/what-if.html

Listen to Helen Brown and Rachel Dakarian discuss what you're missing if you're not using Twitter in this excellent podcast: 

https://www.helenbrowngroup.com/hidden-river-twitter/

After gathering thoughts from "40 researchers, development practitioners, foundation employees and other Silicon Valley philanthropists," Michael Hobbes sums up how Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg should give away his billions:

http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/how-to-give-away-45-billion/

In total, the 25 highest-earning hedge fund managers and traders made a combined $12 billion in 2015:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2016/02/24/the-25-highest-earning-hedge-fund-managers-and-traders-2