Happy New Fiscal Year!

July 1st represents a new beginning for the vast majority of higher education as we have wrapped up last fiscal year and are starting a new year. I actually work on a June 1 to May 31 fiscal year right now but even so, wish you all a happy new year today.

As the fiscal year has ended and the new year has not really started we all find ourselves in a kind of purgatory of between yearedness. As you are awaiting final reports and numbers, I would suggest that this is an excellent time to do a bit of program review - not taking a statistical look at the results, costs and efforts (although I do strongly advise that once the numbers have been finalized) but doing a bit of opinion review of your programs and efforts. What went well? What did not? What do you need to focus more energy on? In looking at my own program, I find the following points of pride and points of concern - what are yours?

Positives:

Direct Mail dollars and costs - up in dollars per piece and down in total cost

Online donors increased

Increase in Leadership donor count overall and via Annual campaigns efforts

Renewals of donors over $100

Concerns:

Donors - decreased everywhere

Phone program declines in donors and dollars

reduction in budget

reduction in commitments from donors - dollars and longer term pledges at the annual giving level

This is by no means a comprehensive list - just a top of the head concerns - what do I need to be sure that I am focussed on this year.

I would greatly appreciate anyone who is willing to share your lists. In any case, best of luck this fiscal year!