Under existing laws, the federal and some state and local agencies can hold current real estate owners liable for cleaning up property contaminated with hazardous wastes. This applies whether the property is purchased or comes as a gift. Schools should develop hazardous-gift policies and investigation procedures. (MSE)

As the demand for qualified college fund raisers intensifies, institutions are turning to executive search firms. Professional recruiters increase access to candidates, can be persuasive, act as a buffer in salary negotiations, and free senior administrators from time-consuming personnel work. However, some firms show less responsibility than…

Development software has been on the market for 15 to 20 years. Vendors offer outstanding software, but the software must be right for the environment and needs of each office. Software should be able to be used by the entire staff including the manager, not just the technical staff. (MLW)

Offers guidelines for planning fund raising events for small public libraries, with examples of activities that have been used successfully. Areas discussed include involving librarians and trustees as fund raisers; group discussion activities to encourage brainstorming; developing strategies based on community resources; and capital fund drive…

Ways to establish a senior class gift and pledge program are discussed. Senior gift campaigns solicit an out-right cash gift, collected before graduation. Pledge programs can run anywhere from a 1-year commitment, to a 25-year commitment. (MLW)

Offers guidelines for developing a sound community college alumni program. Argues that "friend raising" must precede fund raising, and recommends activities and services to make alumni feel as if they are still a part of the college community. (DMM)

A foundation official offers practical advice for making a grant application more appealing. Pointers are given for the preparatory stage (planning a precise request, setting priorities, selecting proposal writers), making the presentation (precision, punctuality, polish), and preventing awkwardness in style and tone of writing. (MSE)

Large, flashy college fund drives may be falling out of favor with alumni and friends of the institution. Advancement professionals recount their experiences and suggest ways to adapt campaigns to new needs and environments. Inherent problems with large campaigns are enumerated, and the importance of clear communication to audiences on and off…

Predominantly white colleges have had mixed results in efforts to raise money among minority alumni. Poor response to programs among this group is attributed to alienation because of campus racial incidents, limited family resources or heavier financial obligations, and resentment of their alma maters. (MSE)

Presents a strategic planning model originally developed for university research and illustrates its usefulness for academic libraries. Library development and fund-raising activities are used as examples to illustrate the various stages of strategic planning, including scanning the environment, designing the plan, acceptance, and adoption.…

Cornell University (New York) president Frank H. T. Rhodes has been a highly successful fund raiser for the institution through his personal attributes and loyalty to the university. Rhodes postponed retirement to see the current fund drive almost to its end. Other accomplishments also distinguish his tenure as president. (MSE)

Higher education data from France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States show continued increases in participation and in private funding. However, private funding is largely geared to money-generating research and service--not to teaching--refuting the notion that higher education can be increasingly…

This article presents five guidelines for running a successful faculty-staff fund drive, illustrating them with anecdotal evidence from recent college and university fund drives: (1) educate your constituents; (2) tailor your campaign; (3) choose your leader; (4) guard against disaster; and (5) make it easy to give. (MDM)

A public education foundation is a third-party, nonprofit entity whose agenda consists of developing supportive community and private-sector relationships with a public school system. Outlines steps in creating an educational foundation. (MLF)

Whether offering a job in fundraising or seeking one, participants in the employment interview should follow similar strategies: planning the interview; researching the institution and employer or the candidate; asking the right questions; observing the response carefully; and listening to the questions and answers. Proper preparation increases…