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DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Since the last report, the Office of Development has worked to improve coordination of development activity throughout the institution.  There is progress to report in the following areas:

Administration

Even though the economy is sluggish, giving to the Smithsonian is up over this time last year.  The bulk of this activity has been restricted giving for exhibitions, events, and special projects

Year-to-date '90   Year-to-date '91   % Increase
$11,259,352        $12,223,212        +9%

The Smithsonian-wide development information system, which will allow complete information sharing among all development offices, has been procured.  Installation should be complete by January 1992.

Development Activities

As fiscal year 1992 approaches, the Office of Development is focusing on activities to increase unrestricted giving to the Smithsonian and laying plans for enterprise associated with the Institution's 150th anniversary.  There is increasing activity in the Corporate Associate Program, which invites corporations to subscribe at a level of $10,000 or $25,000 per year; this program brings in much-needed unrestricted funds while encouraging corporations to begin building relationships within the Institution.  A new International Associate Program, similar to the Corporate Associate Program, invites international corporations to subscribe at a level of $25,000 per year and expands the reach of the Smithsonian Institution throughout the international community; market testing is currently under way with Japanese companies.

While working toward major gifts from corporations and foundations, the Development Office sustains activities with individual contributors.  An important part of its individual work includes a new recognition vehicle, the "Smithsonian Benefactors' Circle." The establishment of this group will permit the Secretary to thank the Smithsonian's most important individual contributors on a personal and annual basis.

Another critical piece of the individual work of the office includes an increase in planned giving solicitations.  With modest effort the Smithsonian has been able to secure contributions totaling $1,481,949 this year, with $668,949 recovered and $813,000 still to be collected.  Early in fiscal year 1992 a more concerted effort toward planned giving will begin.

Bureau Support

Though many of our museums have their own development staff, there remains the need for the Office of Development to assist those museums and offices which do not, as well as to provide central prospect research and record-keeping services for all bureaus.  Samples of bureau development