When you are reaching out to the community and asking people for money to fund your school's long-term dreams, you want to know if you are going to be successful. Hence, the feasibility study—your window to whether or not you are able to raise the money you need. But your feasibility study should do much more than just tell you whether or not to stage the campaign. You know what you want to do … and you have the costs. Do you really need a feasibility study?

As the recession continues drags on, schools continue to look for ways to reduce expenses. For the past year, this examination has even included student transportation. One study found that in 1969, 41% of students walked or biked to school. In 2001, that numbered dropped dramatically to only 13%. These figures are not just hard facts supporting the child obesity campaigns, these are now foundation figures for School Heads, Superintendents, and Business Managers as they brainstorm creative budget solutions.

On November 30, 2009, The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), released an updated version of the Employment Law Guide, an online resource directed at employers and workers that describes the major employment laws affecting the workplace. This updated version addresses recent changes in laws including the increase in federal minimum wage and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

You may have already had your holiday party, or perhaps this year's celebration was cancelled because of the trying economy. However, the following article is a nice resource to keep handy for all future office gatherings.

(Ideas in this article were inspired by an article published by MarketingProfs.) We're in a time when CEOs, Board Members, and executives are looking for everything they can trim from the bottom line. And when it comes to marketing efforts, especially PR efforts, these are among the first and last to be examined. PR professionals struggle with how to express their successes in a way that executives can recognize as positive influences for the school's future. In private schools, the role of PR can fall upon different positions: Admission Directors, Development Officers, or perhaps an outside agency. Regardless of where the responsibility lies, there is still a disconnect between those making budget decisions and those developing marketing materials.

Just as the headline reads, in January when the New Hampshire House of Representatives rejoins, they will be looking at an amendment to RSA 193-F, a section of their education laws that deals specifically with pupil harassment, or bullying.

Business Managers, we know you've been waiting all year for this! (We're kidding.) The IRS has announced the new mileage rates for 2010, and starting January 1, 2010, they will take effect for cars, vans, and trucks used for business.

(This article is based on a recent publication by Education News.) A new federal study released last week revealed that one in 110 8-year-old U.S. children are diagnosed with autism. This study was conducted from a 2006 sample consisting of 307,790 children.

The nonprofit world is seeing an upturn in the use of prizes and cash awards for philanthropic efforts, which in turn is helping spark innovative approaches to solving social problems. Prizes for philanthropic-minded efforts are increasing not only in number, but also in the size of the cash awards; they're also being applied to a broader range of issues than in the past.

There is an awful lot of gloom and doom out there. Your annual fund may not be on target. Others are seeing decreasing participation or decreasing dollars. Others are seeing decreasing participation, but increasing dollars. One thing is certain—the economy is playing havoc with your campaigns. The prospect of a capital campaign seems like a potential disaster.