Case Study: Business Objects & Arts Umbrella

Business Objects worked with Arts Umbrella to create a donor predictability model and system in order to better predict, measure and report their annual campaign efforts.

The Opportunity

Arts Umbrella, Canada’s preeminent arts institute for young people, ages 2 to 19, lacked an efficient process and up-to-date technology to adequately follow their steady growth. Arts Umbrella had not found an effective way to predict, track and measure activities related to fundraising, and as a result, forecasting what funds were coming in was a guessing game. Producing critical reports was also a difficult, time-consuming process for staff and board members.

Business Objects’ Pro Bono Investment

Business Objects analyzed Arts Umbrella's current fundraising processes and helped develop a donor predictability model which allowed the organization to predict, with a high degree of accuracy, which donors will eventually give and which won’t. They then could apply specific actions to increase the probability of donating. The implementation of Crystal Reports, an easy-to-use, online tracking system, helped compile this data so they can evaluate their fundraising status midpoint and take corrective action. Business Objects integrated this new system with their existing data and invited Arts Umbrella staff to attend trainings on the technology.

The Impact

Arts Umbrella saved more than $20,000 in consulting costs and is now able to communicate in a more targeted and efficient way with donors. Additionally, Arts Umbrella development leaders have more time to focus on building and maintaining relationships with donors, instead of monitoring and manipulating data in numerous places and with multiple tools. Their fundraising has increased significantly thereby allowing them to offer more free programming for young people.

About Arts Umbrella

With a commitment to inspiring kids for life, Arts Umbrella is Canada’s preeminent visual and performing arts institute for young people, ages 2 to 19. The organization reaches thousands of children through free programs, bringing arts to kids who otherwise would not be able to participate. For more information, please visit www.artsumbrella.org.

About Business Objects

Business Objects has been a pioneer in business intelligence (BI) since the dawn of the category. Today, as part of SAP, it is the world’s leading BI software company. Business Objects transforms the way the world works through intelligent information. Learn more about the company and its commitment to the community at www.businessobjects.com.