A survey of institutions conducting or having completed fund-raising campaigns with goals over $1 million confirmed that campaigns have different purposes and structures, and do not all include the same sources and purposes of support in their reports. Fund-raising professionals should consider the issue of consistency in campaign accounting. (MSE)

Syracuse University's use of a personal computer to keep track of alumni reunion registration is described. They can take reservations over the phone, produce lists of returning alumni according to different categories, give catering current meal counts, keep track of special requests, and write personalized confirmation letters. (MLW)

A realistic production schedule helps deliver college publications on time. This requires team effort and a spirit of cooperation, specific task scheduling, using tickler systems to keep staff on track, not allowing procrastination, and setting aside planning time. (MSE)

The importance of maintaining and improving college alumni records is discussed. Three types of information needed about alumni are identified: identifiers and locators, qualifiers, and specifiers. (MLW)

College reunion success depends on careful planning, including (1) starting early; (2) documenting all planning efforts; (3) motivating, including, and communicating with volunteers; (4) using formal and informal meeting time effectively; (5) providing a program highlighting events planned; (6) freeing staff to be volunteer-reliant; and (7)…

Through an alumni-led effort called Project Search, Haverford College found 72 percent of its 825 missing graduates. The project has paid off in more than renewed alumni ties, with a 20-fold return in the first 3 years of combined annual and capital fund raising. (MLW)

Technology can assist in recordkeeping that enhances college alumni fund raising. Colleges can contract with commercial vendors who use databases to update address and telephone number records. Keeping track of even small donors can be an effective fund-raising strategy. (MSE)

Suggestions for improving alumni association membership recruitment and retention, for raising non-dues income, and for keeping records are made based on Kansas State University's experiences. (MSE)

Technological advances can be very helpful in managing college development functions, including organizing information on prospective individual and group donors, managing development staff, and precise and complex recordkeeping. Continued user demands promise to spur development of further program management techniques and tools. (MSE)

The most recent tax law creates stiffer rules forcing donors to document their charitable gifts in exchange for offering charities relief from the 1986 Alternative Minimum Tax law. For colleges and universities, who already follow relatively stringent receipt rules, the new regulation is a free and valuable benefit. (MSE)

Good computer files can help colleges find, manage, and solicit alumni volunteers. In 1978 Rhodes College began creating detailed records on alumni and friends, entering gift and biographical data, mostly in coded form, into computerized personal files. (MLW)

Federal regulations governing receipts from fund-raising events at colleges and universities are summarized, including rules concerning tax deductions for raffle tickets, how and when to acknowledge donor gifts (cash or non-cash), and disclosure of fair market value. (MSE)

Guidelines offered for working with college alumni volunteers in student recruitment efforts include enlisting local alumni leaders' help; communicating expectations and procedures; requiring up-to-date records on local schools; prompt response to volunteer communications; and recognizing volunteer contributions. (MSE)

College advancement services can take the burden of many financial and analytical functions off the shoulders of development officers. Centralizing development-related financial functions can streamline clerical tasks and improve efficiency, consistency, continuity, accessibility of expertise, and capacity. Proficiency in a wide range of financial…

A centralized records database for advancement services saves time, money, and confusion. The centralized advancement services model works best when fundraisers and technical supporters work together in planning and setting strategy as well as on specific requests, concentrating on the same priorities. (MSE)