Discusses procedures nonprofit organizations can follow to conduct a successful telephone campaign. Steps include: (1) rallying board support; (2) preparing constituency; (3) setting sights; (4) maintaining files; (5) getting the timing right; (6) establishing time frames; (7) making the appeal; (8) documenting responses; and (9) following…

While mega-goal fund raising campaigns are an increasingly popular strategy, the nature of the comprehensive campaign can be confusing to constituents. Trustees must be able to explain the goal, or the campaign might lose credibility. (Author/MSE)

Two books on private donor decision-making are reviewed: "Decision Making in Foundations: A Case Study" by A. Hope Williams and "Factors Accounting for Variations in Levels of Private Giving to Higher Education in the United States" by Sally Spaid Drachman. (MSE)

Results of research on fund-raising practices in 10 dissimilar institutions with successful fund-raising programs are described. Particular emphasis is placed on the systems, processes, and qualitative aspects of planning. The institutions were chosen from an earlier, broader study of 575 institutions. (MSE)

A trustee at both a military school and a major university finds common responsibilities and dynamics on both boards and offers suggestions to development officers in their work with both trustees and fund-raising volunteers. (MSE)

Offers strategies for increasing library budgets, based on the pragmatic realities of funding decisions. Strategies discussed include: associating library needs with a more influential constituency; allowing service to deteriorate to intolerable levels; using influential patrons as spokesmen for the library; and appealing to funders' priorities…

Suggestions for writing effective fund-raising letters are presented including: composing the first draft, stating the purpose, making style work, telling what the gift will do, getting personal, crafting a P.S., and adjusting the flow. (MLW)

Lists corporations that match gifts of their employees to junior/community colleges. (DMM)

The long-range planning strategy used at the University of the Redlands to boost alumni program productivity and increase the program budget is outlined. The effort consisted of a series of planning weekends and a number of subtle strategies to justify added resources. (MSE)

Offers guidelines to Catholic schools on obtaining grants from foundations. Discusses three steps: self-assessment to determine how outside funding can best be utilized, the investigation of foundations with religious interests, and the establishment of personal contacts. (DMM)

Interviews with 30 million-dollar donors to colleges and universities, including 17 individuals and representatives of 8 corporations and 5 foundations, revealed that donors gave with the expectation of receiving some return but sought indirect rather than direct benefit: enhancement of the institution, community, or society at large. (MSE)

One way of garnering grant funding to support restructuring projects is to establish a districtwide grants development office. This article describes a low-cost grants office in the Norfolk (Virginia) Public Schools that employs one administrator and one part-time clerical support person. An overview of the grants development and proposal writing…

Seven simple ways for college fund-raisers to recognize donors successfully are outlined, illustrated with the experiences of colleges, universities, and other organizations. Institutions are urged to thank donors accurately, publicly, privately, frequently, appropriately, innovatively, and sincerely. (MSE)

Finds that four models of fund raising, conceptualized from public relations theory, describe the typical ways fund raising is practiced. Shows that press agentry is predominately practiced today, although fund raisers tend to move toward the two-way symmetrical model when conducting major gifts programs as compared to annual giving programs. (SR)

This article presents five basic guidelines for initiating a successful alumni merchandising program: (1) shop around for the best vendor; (2) decide what to sell; (3) manage merchandise properly; (4) watch out for risky business; and (5) get what you pay for. (MDM)