A New York Times financial columnist details the methods by which fund raisers mine data in search of prospects and ways to avoid or avert such scrutiny.

Along with looking at donation histories, development officers comb public records for indications of family wealth or sudden financial gain, check credit records, and, in the case of hospitals fund raisers, go through admissions lists to screen for wealthy patients, Ron Lieber writes in his Your Money column.

“Most people are surprised when they first hear about the data mining going on behind the scenes in any semi-sophisticated fund-raising apparatus,” Mr. Lieber says. “But those who are offended by it are not being particularly realistic or stopping to think about how rabidly they Google many new acquaintances in their own personal and professional lives.”