The Community Foundation Technology Initiative

February 2006

General Overview

Harkening back to the inception of the Technology Funding Syndicate, investors will recall the following broad objectives:

Objective #1: Drive selected improvements to current systems and, at the same time, provide the catalyst needed to drive development of "next generation" core system software.

Objective #2: Develop API and Internet interfaces to link separate databases; improve access to the community foundation's information by donors, professional advisors and nonprofits; and enhance staff workflow efficiency.

Objective #3: Catalyze significant innovations in the functionality of customer relationship management (CRM), seamless processing, web presence, and accountability tools.

The past quarter has seen significant progress against these objectives described as follows.[1]

Objective #1: Drive selected improvements to current systems and, at the same time, provide the catalyst needed to drive development of "next generation" core system software.

As the Funding Syndicate comes to a close, it is becoming clear that what the TSC could not achieve with direct funding (i.e. the terminated contract with MicroEdge) may become reality through new competition spurred in the marketplace by the Funding Syndicate.  Although selected improvements have not yet been forthcoming from MicroEdge, their new, very experienced management is pursuing development that fits with standards and objectives of the TSC Roadmap, for example, the Portico suite of products which includes on-line grants.

The Integrated Solutions Subcommittee, which completed its work this past quarter, was an ad-hoc subcommittee developed in the second year of the initiative to drive development of "next gen" core system software.  They chose to do this by arming community foundations with a wealth of knowledge regarding legacy and emerging systems from MicroEdge, Blackbaud and Stellar Financial.  Their report is available on www.CFTech.org.

At its final meeting on December 15, 2005, the Integrated Solutions Subcommittee also considered the two following proposals: 

a.)   The first proposal was from Barrington Partners to update the research review completed on Integrated Solution providers this past year.  The redux, proposed to cover five systems at a cost of $55,680, would be tentatively scheduled for release at the 2006 COF Fall Conference.   While affirming the value of the first report, the Subcommittee expressed broad concern regarding the relative value that would be added by updating the report one year hence.  The concerns included: a.) The idea that not enough would change in one year to warrant a complete update and b.) Cost seems to outweigh benefits.  While not willing to formally recommend the research, they were open to the idea that some smaller subset of information might be of value.  For instance, a review of Kintera's system and perhaps whatever emerges as major changes either from the AST/Neulogic merger or other systems not included in the last report.  The Subcommittee determined that the Executive Committee was in the best position to determine how this expenditure stacked up against other priorities. The Executive Committee will meet in March 9 to consider the recommendation. 

b.)   The second proposal was to set aside funding for a TSC Solution Summit to be held in late Summer or Fall 2006. This would ensure continued flow of information to investors making decisions about current and "next gen" systems.  The projected budget for participation by 75 community foundations is $64,000.  The timing of the Summit would enable participants to get up-to-speed on developments in time to plan budgets for 2007.  The Subcommittee strongly recommended this proposal for consideration by the TSC Executive Committee.

Objective #2: Develop API and Internet interfaces to link separate databases; improve access to the community foundation's information by donors, professional advisors and nonprofits; and enhance staff workflow efficiency.

After the termination of the  MicroEdge contract which would have linked FIMS/FoundationPower systems with TSC preferred provider systems (and others), this objective is being addressed through a contract with Kintera for a databridge.  The Kintera databridge development team is on track for Phase I and Phase II deadlines which will provide "read" and "write" access to FIMS by 4/24.  Phase III (FoundationPower) and Phase IV (cross system integrations, e.g., Kintera to VisionMgr) are still set for 5/26.

A seamless processing interface is being addressed through an API which links FIMS/Foundation power to the AST's solution.  AST Trust and MicroEdge have just finalized their agreement for the seamless processing API, and both companies have been working substantively since October (when the TSC signed a contract to support development) on the issues associated with managing and interpreting the XML data, reconciliations and balancing. New York Community Trust's seamless solution is up and running, and Marin is expected to go live shortly. In addition, Foundation for the Carolinas is four to six weeks away from a design document for the FIMS Seamless product.  Consequently, they expect to have something to show in the market "soon."

Objective #3: Catalyze significant innovations in the functionality of customer relationship management (CRM), seamless processing, web presence, and accountability tools.

Work in this quarter has brought to fruition the number one priority identified for the field in the area of CRM which was on-line grants.  This past quarter, Kintera delivered the first release of its on-line grant application and a second release is on track for 2/17. TSC management is working on the six to seven change requests that early adopters have put forward for inclusion in the second release.

In addition to on-line grants, Kintera is working to configure its core CRM system for effective implementation by community foundations.  Although the deadline is pending as a Statement of Work is finalized, this configuration system is expected to be completed in parallel with the databridge in mid-May.  The CRM Subcommittee will convene at that time to review and provide formal feedback.

The Seamless Subcommittee continues its innovative efforts to enhance workflow efficiency through the successful implementation of seamless processing. Subcommittee members and early adopters of seamless processing will meet in Chicago on March 7 to review and address policy issues which have emerged.  This meeting will be informed by interviews conducted prior to that time which will be summarized in a brief report.  Early adopters include: New York Community Trust, Community Foundation of New Jersey, Foundation For The Carolinas, Marin Community Foundation, and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.  Early indications are that this has been a complex product for the early adopters to implement due to a host of issues that are internal (business processes and FIMS and FP protocols), external (data availability/reliability from custodians), and provider related (absorbing and balancing with the foundation's data).  This meeting is intended to simplify the implementation process for fast followers.