Case Studies

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Even the best-run organizations can run into problems with their systems and software implementation. With permission from the organizations shown below, here are some real-life situations that Lyric Systems has helped to resolve.

Fundraising Systems Consulting 

The Graduate Center – City University of New York

Scenario: You have no development systems manager. You have an obsolete DOS-based fundraising system. You’re about to launch a capital campaign and you need to staff up, build up the board and start maximizing the return on your solicitations.

Services provided:

  • Assisted in the selection of a new fundraising system.
  • Managed the software conversion from Fundmaster™ to Raiser's Edge®.
  • Supervised the production of direct mail solicitations, invitations and the annual phonathon.
  • Automated the production of acknowledgment letters.
  • Trained the staff on Raiser's Edge.
  • Designed and developed new standard reports.
  • Provide on-going support as needed. 

Hyacinth Aids Foundation

Scenario: You’re the director of development with little support staff. You have a home-grown MS-Access database that is out-of-date and out-of-control. It’s November and you have to mail your year-end appeal and find a new fundraising software package!

Services provided:

  • Merged and combined data from 4 separate mailing lists.
  • Created test segment groups for the end of year mailing.
  • Assessed the status of the current MS-Access home-grown system.
  • Reviewed fundraising software packages and made a software recommendation for subsequent purchase. 

New York Public Library

Scenario: Imagine losing your systems manager on the day that you convert to a new fundraising system.

Services provided:

  • Established application security for all users and groups.
  • Analyzed and reported on the database conversion to Enterprise/CS®.
  • Documented the specifications and developed an MS-Access application to update the database for their NCOA (National Change of Address) quarterly update process.
  • Attended daily phone calls with the software vendor to resolve outstanding issues.
  • Spoke with vendor's support staff and programmers to communicate client needs.
  • Tested software patches and documented software issues. 

Women in Development, New York

Scenario: You’re a membership organization comprised of 2000 active and lapsed members. Your membership database is in need of an overhaul and you need to select a new membership database software to manage it. You’re about to launch a new website and you have no one to maintain it and update it.

Services provided:

  • Researched, evaluated and selected a new membership software package.
  • Analyzed, cleaned and converted data from a homemade MS-Access database into the new membership database application.
  • Set up membership rules, codes and reports.
  • Documented database maintenance instructions for management staff.
  • Maintain & update the new website. 

Website Design and CMS Management

Caruso Consulting Corporation

Scenario: When Karen Caruso, president of Caruso Consulting Corporation, decided to create a corporate branding package, she turned to us to create a logo, web site, ads and stationery to promote her development consulting and career management services.

Services provided:

  • Logo Design
  • Web site Design, Implementation & On-going Maintenance & Support
  • Sponsor Ad for Women in Development, New York Directory
  • Business Card and Stationery Design