OHA Museum & Research Center Receives Major Technology Grant!

Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center Receives Major Technology Grant!

Contact: Gary Melchiorre, Development Director (315) 428-1864, ext. 314 or garymelchiorre@yahoo.com

The Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center (OHA) announced today it has received a grant award of $26,000 from the Central New York Community Foundation to provide new and improved donor database computer technology, as well as establish a new, part-time development staff position.  The grant, received through the Community Foundation’s John F. Marsellus Fund, was formally presented by the Foundation’s President and CEO, Margaret (Peggy) Ogden, at OHA’s May meeting of its Board of Directors.

 

 “The story of our Foundation is the story of everyone giving back to our community,” said Ogden, in her remarks before OHA board members. “Hundreds of donors have made it possible for the Community Foundation to establish an endowment worth $170 million.  We look to you (OHA), and to other cultural and human service agencies to put those dollars to work for the betterment of the people in our community.”

 

OHA is using this grant to purchase a new computer software program (SAGE Fundraising 50) to more efficiently track and record individual gifts, corporate contributions and foundation and corporate grant awards. The new donor software will also improve OHA’s ability to manage and record results from fundraising events, contributions of its volunteers, and in-kind donations.

 

OHA’s new Database Manager/Development Assistant is Mark Nunan, a native of Central New York whose fundraising experience includes work with the Boy Scouts in New York State and Pennsylvania. Nunan previously owned his own financial services firm in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He began serving in his new position in May and reports to OHA Director of Development Gary Melchiorre.

 

“The ultimate objective is to put these new resources to work to improve the results of OHA’s entire fundraising program,” said OHA Interim Executive Director Tom Hunter.  “We appreciate very much this important funding made possible by the CNY Community Foundation!”