The Monthly Ledger
A publication by the USM Foundation's Business Office
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Important Dates
  Calendar

11/25: Last check run for the month of November. Items due by 1:30pm on 11/21.

 

11/26: Last day to process ACH or Wire transfers for November. Requests due by 12pm.

 

12/2: No check run due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

12/4: Payroll deduction cards must be received by USM Foundation to ensure delivery to Central Payroll and to meet deadline for deductions to start promptly in 2014. If you have specific questions, contact Bernadette Mannone.

 

12/20: Last day to process ACH or Wire transfers for December. Requests due by 12pm. 

 

12/23: Last check run for 2013 calendar year. Items due by 1:30pm on 12/19. 

 

12/25-1/1: The USM Foundation will be closed for winter break. We will have a skeleton staff available some days: more details in the next newsletter.

 

12/31: Last day for credit card gifts to be processed through the website and count as a 2013 gift.

 

1/6/14: First check run for 2014 calendar year. 

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November 18, 2013
What's New!

 

FY 15 Spending Rate

 

While the spending rate for fiscal year 2015 has not yet been determined, it is never too early to start planning ahead for your budgets. Spending rates in the past have ranged from 5.0% to the 3.75% rate we have had the last two years. Though the rate will not be set until our February 2014 board meeting, early indicators are that the rate for 2015 will remain toward the lower end of the range.

End of Year Gifts of Stock Reminder

 

As we approach year-end we see a significant increase in donations of stock. The biggest challenge for us is identifying who the stock is coming from and to which account it needs to be credited. If you are discussing stock gifts with your donors over the next few weeks, please be aware that the first step in this donation process is for the donor to complete the stock information form on our website. Completion of the form will provide us the information we need to book the gift correctly in a timely manner and to be able to contact the donor or donor's broker if there are any issues with the stock transfer.
Strategic Plan 

 

The third and last goal of our new strategic plan is to "Become a model resource for expertise and best practices, both within the System and nationally, that supports all aspects of advancement and effective management of institutionally related foundations."

  

The strategies to support this goal are:

  1. To provide leadership and resources to build comprehensive fundraising programs across all campuses
  2. To raise the profile of System and member institution priorities and strategic initiatives.
  3. Continue to increase the Foundation's visibility among clients and peer organizations.
  4. To educate advancement staff and leadership on trends and critical issues affecting our industry.
  5. To communicate effectively to all our constituents about what we do and what our value is.
  6. To engage and expand the next generation of donors.
  7. To develop innovative, cost-effective business operations and investment management services.
  8. To continue to refine and introduce effective governance and foundation management practices.

We will measure success in these areas by:

  1. Increased engagement among board members.
  2. Increased demand for our services.
  3. Increased website traffic.
  4. Increased national recognition among peers as measured by speaking invitations and leadership at conferences.
  5. Increased ratio of dollars raised vs. dollars spent.
  6. Improvement in rankings among peer institutions in overall funds raised and endowments raised.
  7. Significant increases in student and young alumni giving rates and amounts.