We've had much staff turnover this past year (and I'm only 6 months into my role). As I was reviewing our Tessitura setup, it seems to me like our Development campaign setup isn't optimal. Right now campaigns are current set across the fiscal year to correspond with our production season. So for example, we solicit gifts for the 2013-14 Season beginning in February, but the 2013-14 fiscal year begins June 1. Right now the 2013-14 Individual Giving Campaign runs from February 1-January 31.
It seems like the 2013-14 Campaign should be set to run from June 1, 2013 - May 31, 2014 and that the way to track gifts earmarked for the 2013-14 season, but received before June 1 is using an Appeal.
Am I correct in this thinking? It would seem that if we are going to make a change, this is the best time to do it, but is there a downside to doing it.
Thanks for any help or suggestions you may have.
Richard RussellExecutive DirectorSarasota Opera
Hi Richard,
I think you're on the right track in wanting your campaigns to align with your fiscal years. Ideally your campaigns would correspond to lines on your annual budget. You can process gifts to the next fiscal year's campaign before the fiscal year actually starts, so long as the campaign is configured with the appropriate funds. Contributions can also be entered with time restrictions so that the money will go into a restricted GL account until the date for which it's earmarked, although I personally don't have much direct experience in that area.
What I don't know is how pushing your campaign dates back might affect the gifts you've already entered for 13-14. If you wanted to move that money into a restricted GL until June 1 I'm sure they would all need to be adjusted, which could potentially be a lot of work. Maybe somebody else can weigh in on that aspect!