Our Background

Maria Semple, Principal

Maria Semple is the firm's principal. An experienced researcher, trainer and speaker on the topic of prospect research, she consults with organizations and firms interested in finding and connecting with their best prospects for long-term relationships.

She is also a frequent speaker for local and national organizations including: Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement; New York University's Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising; The Support Center for Nonprofit Management; Partnership in Philanthropy; Association of Fundraising Professionals (NJ Chapter); New Jersey Conference on Philanthropy; The Mid-Atlantic Researchers Conference; Fundraising Day in NY; New Jersey's Nonprofit Symposium; and Merrill Lynch.

Since Summer 2011, Maria is a regular contributor to the Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio Show. As of 2012, she is an Advisory Board member and Instructor for The Center for Excellence: Leadership, Governance and Philanthropy at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Professional memberships play an important role in Maria's ongoing professional development.
She is currently a member of:

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Financial Planning Association of New Jersey (Board Member)
Financial Women's Association
Women in Development of Mercer County

Somerset County Business Partnership

Maria Semple is the author of two downloadable & interactive e-Books:

"Panning For Gold: Find Your Best Donor Prospects Now!"™ and
"Panning For Gold: Find High-Net-Worth Prospects Now!"™.

In October 2009, she completed the Constant Contact University Experts Program. As an Email Marketing Specialist, Maria can help small businesses, associations, and nonprofit organizations understand and use email marketing best practices. She is considered an Authorized Local Expert with Constant Contact on the topics of email marketing and simple social media strategies.

Maria began her consulting career with Robert F. Semple Associates in 1990 directing capital campaigns for nonprofit organizations. The firm, now Semple Bixel Associates, continues to enjoy a business relationship with The Prospect Finder. Other consulting firms that have used Maria's services include: The Alford Group, Laurence A. Pagnoni Associates, Global Health Strategies, The Canon Group LLC and Resource Development Counsel.

Prior to her work in this field, she was a securities dealer in the investment banking industry. These combined strengths enable her to help both nonprofit and financial services organizations to develop the depth and breadth of their reach to attain an even greater impact on their goals.

Maria successfully completed an intensive Grant Proposal Writing Workshop conducted by The Grantsmanship Center in New York, NY. She is a graduate of Douglass College.