What we do
By using the experienced counsel that Stewart Howe provides, clients are able to greatly improve the continuity and content of their alumni relations programming and increase response to their alumni relations efforts. Our regular annual program approach, including our records and donor acknowledgment protocols, help build good rapport, ensure repeat donors, and garner increased giving. All of this builds a solid foundation for the eventual higher-level fundraising effort and helps ensure its success.
Administrative services | Fundraising and communications programs | Database-driven websites and electronic media | Campaigns | Consulting services
Database services
We manage all aspects of your organization's database, including member information, address and other contact data, National Change of Address (NCOA) updates, cross checks with national organizations and universities, organizational records, gift records and history, officer histories, biographical data, and organizational archives. Our professional database software is tailored to our clients' needs, and its versatility enables us to accommodate most special requests.
Gift processing
We have disciplined protocols for gift processing, which include entering gifts in the database as part of each donor's permanent member data, directly depositing the gifts or forwarding the gifts to the appropriate officer, distributing gift summaries ("transmittals") to specified officers. We process gifts on an ongoing basis in accordance with a client's gift volume.
Donor acknowledgement
Gift acknowledgement is the key to donor retention. Thank-you letters or cards should be sent to donors shortly after gifts are received. Stewart Howe can merge, print on letterhead, and mail the thank-you letters in conjunction with gift processing. All donors are also recognized on a published year-end "honor roll."
Mailing services
We have both the experience and the capacity to handle all your mail-processing needs, including all aspects of postal preparation for both bulk and first-class rate classifications. For not-for-profit organizations, we can manage the permit application, approval, and renewal process so clients can qualify for lower postage rates.
Fundraising and communications programs
Annual giving
Annual giving is distinct from other, needs-based fundraising, such as special projects and major capital campaigns. In general, annual giving programs generate enough income to cover communications expenses.
Annual program design
We'll help you plan and run an efficient, well-coordinated communications program based on your organization's strategy. The communications program typically includes a kick-off mailing, fall newsletter, spring newsletter, and lapsed donor mailing. We can also integrate event promotions (homecoming, reunions, special anniversaries), annual board meeting proxies, e-communications, and more.
Publishing
We may be best known for our leading position as a newsletter publisher. Our newsletters frequently earn top awards among affiliation groups. Our talented creative department offers writing, editing, and graphic design services. Besides newsletters, we produce formal invitations, postcards, membership directories, history books, new member pledge books, honor rolls, dues letters, special solicitations, and much more.
Thankathons
These give undergraduates a structured opportunity to call alumni and thank them personally for their support. Stewart Howe provides oversight staffing, training, equipment, data access, scripting, and a facility for thankathon outreach. These phoning events give student members a uniquely personal exposure to the undergrad-alumni connection—and help increase donor participation and loyalty in the process. Building a culture of giving for your group is essential—along with good will, open communication, and an inviting demeanor.
Database-driven websites and electronic media
Websites
Almost anyone can get a website up and running. But Stewart Howe will not only get it running, we'll keep it running and make sure it stays up to date. Our websites allow alumni volunteers to focus on managing their alumni organizations instead of trying to be web gurus. What makes our sites different is that they are directly linked to your member database. As information changes in the database, the website's data updates as well. We handle all the logistics of creating and maintaining a fully functioning, services-oriented website, including design and implementation, content direction, domain registration and DNS entries, SSL (security) certificate purchase and installation, online merchant-account registration for online gift processing, social networking integration, and analytics.
Electronic media services include:
- Online giving via secure pay pages
- Photo galleries and slide shows
- Member search and career-networking functions
- Proxies, ballots, and opinion surveys
- Email communications
- Event registration
- Social media integration
- Comprehensive analytics
Capital campaign planning
We offer expertise in every aspect of capital campaign planning, from feasibility studies and facility assessments to developing a structure for leadership gifts and naming a campaign committee. We'll help you identify leadership gift prospects based on an analysis of your organization's gift and donor data and incorporating other wealth-engine tools.
Capital campaign management
When you undertake a major capital campaign, you need consistent administrative support and organizational infrastructure. Stewart Howe provides experienced, professional assistance to campaign leaders. We can provide "back-office" support from coordinating meetings to designing campaign solicitations, managing gifts and pledges, and processing donor acknowledgements. We will also ensure that your campaign communications are well coordinated with your regular alumni relations program.
Special projects campaigns
We can help you develop "mini-campaigns" for relatively low-goal, short-term fundraising needs such as roof repairs, a new boiler, or porch renovations.
- Board recruitment and development
- New officer/leadership education and training
- College/university gift credit integration
- Gift reporting and analysis
- Endowment building
- Risk management
- Foundation establishment
- Consistent messaging and branding