International OSINT Resources
Global revenue generation and qualification resources
for mission driven, OSINT, and for-profit organizations
Search for a specific country or topic by typing the keyword into the search bar. For example typing in "Japan" will create a list of all the resources in the list with Japan in the description.
Across Frontiers: New International Perspectives on Educational Fundraising — (search under Resources tab)
Book published by CASE (US$60.50, 2010) Get practical, stimulating and thought-provoking advice on the new reality of international fundraising in higher education. Topics include annual funds, prospect development, engaging alumni internationally, trends in global foundation support and corporate philanthropy. Special bonus: Jay Frost discusses research strategies to seek out prospective donors anywhere in the world.
Print and digital magazine subscription £89/year, digital only £48/year. Selected articles made available for free.
For the global philanthropy sector with independent opinion, expert debate, and trusted insight.
Apra Canada Membership is open to Canadian researchers, front-line fundraisers and others with an interest in the field of advancement research. The annual membership rate is C$40 per person. Also see their LinkedIn Group.
Membership benefits include:
Networking
Membership Directory
Discounted Prices for Apra Canada Professional Development Days
Apra Canada Newsletter (published quarterly)
Mentor Opportunities
A list of global public domain information sources from Aqute Intelligence a competitive intelligence firm. Source lists of special interest to donor researchers:
Company profiles
Employee information/Salaries
News
People Search
Search Engines (outside of Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo)
Social Media
The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is a diverse community of scholars, educators, and practice leaders that strengthens the field of nonprofit and philanthropic research in order to improve civil society and human life.
The purpose of a Common Interest Group is to encourage groups of individuals to come together in an organic and flexible way around shared intellectual topics or professional concerns. These groups can be created for the purpose of networking, exchange of information, development of new fields of investigation or around other emerging opportunities. Members are reminded that ARNOVA is committed to being multi-disciplinary; thus discipline-based groups are discouraged.
At FR&C we specialise in prospect research on individuals, companies, and foundations for clients in charities, the arts and education.
The list is a summary of research resources in Australia, and some Asian resources, intended to assist not-for-profits wanting to know the key resources for prospect research in these areas. We decided to publish this for free here on our website to make the knowledge we've acquired in many years of prospect research available to Australian not-for-profits. Resources you have to pay for are marked ($)
Beth Bandy, Research and Consulting international donor research resources
Pinterest list of resources
International Search: Seeing the Whole Picture - Apra University webinar (2015) Apra member US$49, non member US$79
Chris Mildner, CFRE presentation for APRA NY November 2022.
#Canada
Publications include the UK Giving Report and the World Giving Index. Tanzania 2020, Uganda 2020, Ireland, South Africa 2020, Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania report 2020.
#CareerCurious - Prospect Research Institute podcasts interviewing prospect researchers focused on international work.
Canadian Researcher Selene Hur - Canada
Betsy Mehlman in Israel
The Hong Kong based Centre Identifies and disseminates best practices, models, policies, and strategies that can contribute to positive system change in the social investment sector across Asia.
Research: Today’s work in philanthropy, impact investing, social delivery, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) must meet the requirements of complex social issues in the 21st century. We focus on 16 economies throughout Asia and recognize that each has its unique set of strengths, challenges, and needs. In collaboration with our partners across Asia, we carry out both in-depth and comparative studies. All of our work is grounded in evidence-based research and meticulously collected data.
Curated resources on Asia’s social sectors that can be filtered by theme or geography.
Free presentation sponsored by Apra NY, speaker Amanda Reed. (April 2021)
Interested in learning more about your Canadian prospects? Access to information can vary greatly between countries depending on laws and resource availability. This session will highlight some key differences between American and Canadian prospect research as well as overview publicly accessible, Canada-specific research tools.
Charity information by country - tax documentation
Australian Charities and not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Charity Register
The ACNC Charity Register contains information about Australia's registered charities. You can search for information about a charity's programs, beneficiaries, locations and more. #Australia
The information in the List of charities and certain other qualified donees is updated by the Canada Revenue Agency each business day.
The public can use this list to:
confirm whether a Canadian charity, a national arts service organization (NASO), or a Canadian amateur athletic association (CAAA) is registered, revoked, annulled, penalized, or suspended (to help guide your donation decisions)
view a charity's or NASO's contact information, general activities, and financial information, including the public portions of their annual information return
Search the register of charities
Find information about registered charities in England and Wales, including
what the charity does
trustees
finance information, like income and expenditure
any actions the Charity Commission has taken against the charity
You can export up to 10,000 records.
Webinar by Sabine Schuller and Erica Sum (2012) C$20
You will hear:
How to work out where to look for international information when no one you know has any good suggestions.
What pitfalls to avoid when searching in a language not your own. This includes different language conventions and naming patterns, issues with transliteration, etc.
How to interpret different information presentation styles - it's not always what you assume!
What criteria to use when evaluating the information you find.
Guiding principles and techniques on how to find asset information no matter what country.
The Global Press Style Guide is a living document that establishes rules for referring to the people and places around the world where Global Press Journal reporters work. Each entry is crafted with the assistance of Global Press Journal reporters and editors, who live and work in the communities they cover.
Also see the article How One Nonprofit Removed Bias From Its Communications by Geetha Murali and Cristi Hegranes in the Chronicle of Philanthropy May 2022 issue for background.
Global
International Fact Check sites
- AFP Factcheck launched its digital verification service in France in 2017 and has grown to become the leading global fact-checking organisation, with dedicated journalists in countries from the United States to Myanmar. Our journalists monitor online content in local languages, from Amharic to Hindi, Polish or Portuguese. They take into account local cultures, languages and politics and work with AFP’s bureaus worldwide to investigate and disprove false information, focusing on items which can be harmful, impactful and manipulative.
Reuters Factcheck: Organized by date of publication, most recent first. Mostly US coverage but some global as well.
International FactCheck Network Signatories (organized by Poynter Institute) Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Congo, (Dem. Republic of) Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Georgia (Republic of) Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Korea (Republic of) Kosovo, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, UK (United Kingdom), Ukraine, USA, Venezuela (active signatories as of Jan 2021)
Offshore leaks, Medical device databases and other data journalism
Global
India Development Review (IDR) is India’s first and largest independent media platform for the development community.
We publish cutting-edge ideas, lessons and insights, written by and for the people working on some of India’s toughest problems. Our writing is fact-based and editorially independent. And our job is to make things simple and relevant, so you can do more of what you do, better.
India
A 2017 study by US fundraising firm Campbell and Company. Free download with registration.
GDPR and Privacy Resources Worldwide
Compiled by Factary, a European based prospect research firm (Europe)
UK focused prospect research + GDPR blog post based on May 2021 Chartered Institute of Fundraising webinar
Apra's DEI data guide has references to Canadian privacy (Canada)
Privacy and Prospecting: A Canadian Perspective Sarah Anderson, Apra University 2017, Apra member US$49, non member US$79 (Canada)
It's Been a Year: Lessons in Implementation and Compliance with GDPR ( Elizabeth Goodman, University of Chicago and Karly Koshman, University of Saskatchewan, (Canada) Apra University, 2019, Apra member US$49, non member US$79
Playing by the Rules: Prospect Development and Privacy - includes information on Canadian privacy laws. by Lori Hood Lawson, Apra University, 2020 - Apra member US$49, non member US$79 (Canada)
The index provides disinformation risk ratings for news sites in media markets around the globe. The risk ratings are neutral, independent and transparent. The ratings are done at the site level. They provide for an unbiased ‘gold standard’ to assess disinformation risks. The GDI and its ratings are non-partisan and non-political.
The index has been developed with a Technical Advisory Group of eight members from around the world. Index members include Camille François (Graphika) and Dr. Scott Hale (Meedan/Oxford Internet Institute), Olaf Steenfadt (Reporters without Borders/Journalism Trust Inititiave), and Cristina Tardáguila (International Fact Checking Network/Poynter),
Media market risk ratings: Argentina, Estonia, France, Georgia (Republic of), Germany, Latvia, South Africa, United Kingdom (UK)
Special topics on disinformation campaigns and analysis: COVID 19 disinformation, anti-vax disinformation, electoral fraud disinformation, globalist disinformation, militia recruitment disinformation, anti-lockdown disinformation,
The US (Dis)information Ecosystem
Global Philanthropy Reports
Country Focus Reports: Charity Aid Foundation Global Giving Alliance
Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada Ireland, India, Kenya Uganda Tanzania group report, South Africa, Russia, UK, USA
Giving in Numbers (2020) CECP's benchmark in corporate social initiatives
Global Philanthropy Report: Perspectives on the Global Foundation Sector (2020) by Harvard University's Kennedy School
Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances (2016) Hudson Institute
India Philanthropy Report 2020: Bain and Dasra
Million Dollar Donors Report (2016) (UK, USA and Middle East (GCC) ) Coutts, University of Kent, Indiana University, Alliance Publishing Trust, Emirates Foundation
Million Pounds Donor Report (2017) Coutts and University of Kent
The New Normal: Trends in UHNW Giving 2019 - Wealth - X
Learn from sector leaders about the cultural nuances that exist in different regions, how to factor these into your fundraising and understand the global landscape in which you operate - from international philanthropy trends, to the economy in 2021. (Recorded talk from December 2020)
Global Economy in 2021, views on Brexit Landscape and Fundraising, Asia (Hong Kong, China, diaspora from those countries), Africa, Middle East, Europe (Finland) - Pay what you feel £0 - 18
A selection of the HBG team’s go-to prospect research resources worldwide.
Business information guides with an international focus created by Library of Congress Business Reference staff
Africa, Asia, BREXIT, BRICs, China, Cuba, Latin America, Russia, Ukraine
Apra Canada Recorded webinar (2013 C$50)
Join Beth Bandy, Research and Consulting, as she helps you learn how to be an effective researcher in the Middle East. She will cover the following topics:
finding asset information (what's available in different countries, and what's not)
naming conventions (key things to know, how they may help identify family connections/wealth)
philanthropy trends
overcoming language barriers (tools and strategies for researching in Arabic)
Apra Connections article ($) Q1 2013, Volume 24, No. 1., p. 14 by Beth Bandy, Research and Consulting.
As our institutions increasingly focus on global fundraising, we need to find ways to overcome bad data to keep our international prospect data as accurate as possible.
Members US$205 Non-members US$335
Download five educational recordings from Apra conference presentations that will help you understand global search opportunities and best practices
List of forums dedicated to foreign, comparative, and international law research. Please see the website for each listserv or organization to access details about the service and guidelines of its use.
Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, China, EU (Europe), France, United Kingdom (UK), South Africa
Positive impact on the territories of Latin America and the Caribbean - focus on venture philanthropy and social impact investment.
Publications on Social investment in Brazil (2021) Study of success stories in venture philanthropy in Latin America and the Caribbean (2020)
Media bias resource on the internet. There are currently 3500+ media sources listed in our database and growing every day (lots of ads, but comes highly recommended by a library school profession specializing in critical thinking)
Country profiles list of countries profiled for Government influence on the media. Each country will display the type of Government, who is in charge, and how much the Government controls the media.
Bookmarks and resources focused on international donor research
Compiled by Micah Hoffman, Principal Investigator at Spotlight Infosec LLC in the OSINT field. Includes links sources in Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Persian Farsi. For country specific sources (except Russia, China, RF, and the US) click the CNTY WORLDWIDE link. It has an impressive list of information sources to a wide range of countries rarely mentioned in research like Burkina Faso, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia.
Compiled by Nihad A. Hassan Author, Privacy Consultant, Cyber security professional, OSINT expert .Official Twitter Handle for http://DarknessGate.com @DarknessGate. The list has links that can be used for international research like:
National Search Engines
News/Newspaper Search Engines
Translation services
Business Profiles
Hardcopy Book (2015) US$220, eBook US$169. Can purchased individual chapters for US$30 each
The Palgrave Handbook of Global Philanthropy is a comprehensive reference guide to the practice of philanthropy across twenty-six nations and regions. In addition, thematic chapters examine cross-national issues to provide an indispensable guide to the latest research in this field. Drawing on theoretical insights from sociology, economics, political science, and psychology, and including a stellar international line-up of leading philanthropy scholars, this essential reference work describes the non-profit sector and analyzes philanthropic endeavours country by country, providing a global overview that covers Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the Americas.
Read a book review here from the Prospect Research Institute's International Research blog collection.
Edited by two Canadian expert prospect researchers and created by the Apra Canada community C$85 (US$67) (2016) Individual chapters available for purchase.
Intended for fundraisers and researchers just starting out with prospect research, this book is an invaluable resource for those needing to establish training and guidelines for their organization or educational programs. It also offers a wealth of information for those from the private sector who realize the unique skill sets required to successfully conduct research in Canada.
Collection of blog posts on international research topics
Book by Jennifer Filla and Helen Brown has a chapter on international donor research, (2013) US$$60
Written especially for front-line fundraisers, Prospect Research for Fundraisers presents a practical understanding of prospect research, prospect management, and fundraising analytics, demonstrating how research can be used to raise more money. Filled with examples, case studies, interviews, and stories, this unique book is structured around the fundraising cycle and illustrates the myriad of current and ever-changing prospect research tools and techniques available to boost an organization's fundraising effectiveness.
Handbook for successful, professional, and ethical prospect research in the UK and internationally.
£150 or around US$200. Discounted price available for £75
Talking Philanthropy: Asia Pacific: Supporting a Philanthropic Ecosystem (2021 conference recording)
The Talking Philanthropy conference looked at wealth distribution and the dramatic growth of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) in the Asia/Pacific region, the roles of development organisations, NGOs, governments, philanthropists, and the charity sector in nurturing the philanthropic ecosystem.
Here's the full program:
Co-hosts: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, University of Cambridge Judge Business School
Keywords: China, Asia-Pacific, Singapore, South East Asia, Australia
This group is open to all researchers in development and fundraising roles in the UK, or anyone researching UK prospects. Anyone working for a charitable institution, educational establishment or voluntary organisation is welcome to join. Volunteer moderated
VOLUNTAS, the official journal of the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR), is an interdisciplinary journal that provides a central forum for worldwide research in the area between the state, market, and household sectors. The journal combines full-length articles with shorter research notes (reflecting the latest developments in the field) and book reviews. The journal is published six times per year.
Many American nonprofits – hospitals, colleges, museums, and humanitarian and environmental groups – are looking abroad for dollars and donors. If you're considering joining the ranks, join us to learn what's working for other groups and how to build international giving into your fundraising strategy. Chronicle of Philanthropy $99.
You'll learn from three veteran prospect researchers focused on donors abroad:
Amelia Aldred, lead analyst at the University of Chicago
Katie Fanning, prospect research and database manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Sabine Schuller, a senior research specialist at the Rotary Foundation
Clearinghouse for publications produced by WINGS, our network participants and other publishers of philanthropic information
Reports can be filtered by geography (region, country) and topic.
Examples - Giving Profiles for India, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Russia, Brazil, Ukraine, Pakistan, Chile, Latin America, Europe, South Korea, Africa, Global Giving. Some reports in Portuguese, Spanish, Russian.