Hi Tech: Your organization needs to have a donor software system that allows you to track donors and prospects in order to develop relationships (the hi touch part). You need to have an accurate giving history on donors and to be able to track the interests and preferences of donors and prospective donors. There are many good systems available, but they are

only as good as the information you enter into them; and the accuracy of information must be entrusted to a database manager that understands development functions and philosophy. Your development office should have a specific database manager assigned to this important task and it should not be the Chief Development Officer whose job is to raise money for the organization, not to manipulate data. It takes a team of professionals to maintain donor relationships and the database manager is an important part of this team.

There are other hi tech tools that can help a development officer perform more efficiently, such as wireless connections when on the road, a good handheld system and a cell phone that should all be part of the development office budget. An up to date website and Internet connections are essential for nonprofits, and these tools can be useful in research, promoting your organization and receiving donations.

However, don’t become a slave to the systems. Remember that technology must work for you, not the other way around. If you are not using all this wonderful technology to help you develop more and better donor relations, then something is missing. A good moves management program depends on systems to help track the next moves with donors and prospects, but remember that fundraising always has been, and always will be based on those three key words—relationships, relationships, relationships.

There is no real formula to determine the best enterprise idea, however the skill sets of the people who will be intimately involved in the project is an important consideration. One vital component that will contribute toward success is planning for the proper technology needed for the venture. Having access to the appropriate technology is crucial and often overlooked in the planning process. Each endeavor must have access to the technical expertise and capital needed to make the project thrive.

For more information about how to set up the right enterprise for your agency contact Grace-Anne Alfiero, Executive Director, Creative Clay, Inc., Cultural Arts Center at Grace@Creativeclay.org.

Over the past several months our consultants have been busy speaking and consulting throughout the country. Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE presented a two-day workshop on capital campaigns in Juneau, Alaska. Attended by more than 25 participants, the workshop was the first of its kind in Alaska. Shown here with Linda, are Mary McRae Miller of Alaska Funding Exchange and Cindy Adams of Grant Station, who co presented with Linda. The event was sponsored by Alaska Funding Exchange, the University of Alaska, and Gastineau Human Services. Lysakowski also presented on the topic of her new book, Recruiting and Training Fundraising Volunteers, and did book signings in several locations including Mexico City, MX, Fort Wayne, Indiana; Dayton, Ohio; Harrisburg, PA; Reading, PA; Newark, NJ; Sarasota, FL; and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Rhoda Indictor presented Essentials of Grant Writing for PANO (Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations) in several Pennsylvania cities. Sue Kreeger, CFRE and Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE presented an Audioconference on Getting Your Team Ready for Fundraising for Charity Channel and Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE presented an Audioconference for AFP International on Building the Dream Team of Volunteers.

Speaking of training, we have developed a Training Catalogue, which is available by email. We offer a wide variety of workshops available for groups such as AFP chapters, statewide associations, national organizations, Dioceses, United Ways and Centers for Nonprofits. If you would like to receive a copy of our training catalogue, please contact cvlinda@cox.net.

Grace-Anne Alfiero, the executive director and co-founder of Creative Clay, Inc., Cultural Arts Center has been an advocate for persons with disabilities for over 15 years. Working tirelessly to include persons with disabilities into the arts community in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, Grace-Anne started her own agency in 1995 at the youthful age of 29. She has recruited the interest of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) with a 30-minute documentary that continues to air nationwide, has assisted 25 agencies in Asia with beginning their own successful arts enterprises, and has lobbied successfully in her state capital to secure reoccurring line item funding for her agency.

Considered an expert in the field of arts management for special populations, Grace-Anne has now made it her life's work to assist non-profit agencies across America and all over the globe with beginning and/or enhancing their arts programs with entrepreneurial project planning.