California Community Foundation

World-Wide Web site: http://www.calfund.org

Created: Site went on line in October 1995 and was completely overhauled in November 1997.

Usage: Between 2,700 and 3,300 people use the site each month.

Cost: $6,400 to overhaul the site; $27,000 budgeted this year to maintain it.

Highlights: The site features a 28-minute video, Race in America: A Message From Los Angeles, that was produced with money from the foundation. It cost about $250 to convert the video into a format that could be viewed on line, plus a one-time cost of $800 to make changes in the site so that it could offer videos. The site allows people to download free publications produced by the foundation and to print out grant applications. It also makes available the organization’s informational tax returns and financial statements.

Lessons learned: The foundation initially was hesitant to post blank grant applications on line for fear that it would be flooded with proposals from groups that did not meet its guidelines. But after getting over that initial fear, foundation officials say that they have found the opposite to be true. “It’s enabled people to do a better job of determining what we’re interested in, so there were actually fewer frivolous or inappropriate applications,” says Allan Parachini, the foundation’s vice-president for communications.

Future plans: The foundation would like to make greater use of on-line video, such as posting a tape of a speaker they have booked for a meeting with donors next month. It is also developing an “annuity calculator” that potential donors can fill out with information such as their total assets and when they hope to retire. They would then receive an e-mail message with a calculation of their potential payout rate if they were to set up a charitable annuity. The foundation plans to follow up with people who use the calculator and see if they want to make a gift.