Abstract:
A method for facilitating at least one donor&#39;s management of charitable monies held in at least one donor account is provided wherein the method includes the step of providing at least one central system having organization information regarding at least one philanthropic organization and donor account information regarding said at least one donor account. The next step includes inputting into said system a query requesting said organization information about said at least one philanthropic organization followed by retrieving and displaying said organization information. The method of present invention further includes inputting into said system a request to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization and generating an order to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization. The final step includes fulfilling the generated order to complete transfer of said monies.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to a method that combines real-world research and online access to provide financial donors with insight into charitable or philanthropic organizations including such organizations&#39; finances, operations and programs.  
         [0002]     Community foundations, and other charitable or philanthropic organizations, work to improve the quality of life in particular communities through partnership with financial donors. Many community foundations have discovered that such positive change occurs more rapidly and is more effectively directed to areas of particular need in the community when charitable monies are combined, managed, and donated where appropriate. Accordingly, funds have been created wherein each particular fund is dedicated to a particular charitable organization or category of organizations. For example, a fund may be dedicated to a local homeless shelter or to all homeless shelters in the community. These funds may be started by individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations alike. The community foundation manages these funds and provides strategic planning to enable donors to make decisions as to where charitable monies would best be used.  
         [0003]     Most donors have particular interests and prefer to direct their charitable monies to particular organizations or a particular group of organizations. However, in order to choose, for example, one homeless shelter over another homeless shelter as the receipt of the donor&#39;s monies, the donor needs sufficient information to make an intelligent decision so that the monies are directed to the shelter that is most likely to utilize such monies effectively. It is desirable, therefore, to provide donors with information regarding many different charitable or philanthropic organizations and allow the donors to manage their contributions through intelligent decision-making and giving.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a user-friendly method for gathering intelligence regarding particular charitable or philanthropic organizations that would be useful to a donor seeking to donate charitable monies in an effective manner so as to create positive change. There is also a need in the art for a user-friendly method of distributing such information to donors and potential donors and for allowing donors to actively manage their funds and donations.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A method for facilitating at least one donor&#39;s management of charitable monies held in at least one donor account is provided wherein the method includes the step of providing at least one central system having organization information regarding at least one philanthropic organization and donor account information regarding said at least one donor account. The next step includes inputting into said system a query requesting said organization information about said at least one philanthropic organization followed by retrieving and displaying said organization information. The method of present invention further includes inputting into said system a request to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization and generating an order to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization. The final step includes fulfilling the generated order to complete transfer of said monies.  
         [0006]     The present invention further includes a method for developing information regarding philanthropic organizations. The method includes gathering information regarding at least one philanthropic organization, interviewing the philanthropic organization, confirming the information during the interviewing step, assessing the information, and inputting the information into a central repository.  
         [0007]     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for providing information regarding philanthropic organizations to a donor. The method includes the steps of providing a donor interface, logging on to a central controller from the donor interface, establishing a communication link with the central controller, inputting philanthropic organization search criteria, providing data regarding at least one philanthropic organization wherein the data corresponds to the search criteria, and transmitting the data to the donor interface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart of the central controller of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the donor interface of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the steps of the method of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the steps of the method of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 5-9  are illustrative screen shots of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The donation management system  10  of the present invention includes a central controller  12 , a transmission means  14 , and a donor interface  16 . As used herein, a donor may be an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a government, or any other entity. FIG. I illustrates a high-level block diagram of central controller  12  which may used to implement the method of the present invention. Central controller  12  includes a central processor  18 , an optional cryptographic processor  20 , memory  22 , operating system  24 , network interface  26 , data storage device  28 , peripheral device(s)  30 , portable storage medium drive(s)  32 , input device(s)  34 , graphics subsystem  36 , and display  38 . The components of central controller  12  are those typically found in general purpose computer systems, and are intended to represent a broad category of such computer components that are well known in the art.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, central controller  12  may be a conventional personal computer or computer workstation with sufficient memory and processing capability to perform the necessary functions of the present invention. In another embodiment, central controller  12  operates as a web server, both receiving and transmitting queries and requests generated by donors or philanthropic organizations. Regardless of its architecture, central controller  12  must be capable of high volume transaction processing and performing a significant number of mathematical calculations in processing communications and repository searches. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functionality of central controller  12  may also be distributed over a plurality of computers such as network of computers or a plurality of stand-alone computers. Central controller  12  may be configured in a distributed architecture wherein the repositories and processors are housed in separate units or locations. Some controllers perform the primary processing functions and contain, at a minimum, both memory and a general processor. Each of these controllers is attached to a WAN hub which serves as the primary communication link with the other controllers and interface devices. The WAN hub may have minimal processing capability itself, serving primarily as a communications router. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an almost unlimited number of controllers may be supported. This arrangement yields a more dynamic and flexible system that is less prone to catastrophic hardware failures affecting the entire system.  
         [0015]     Central processor  18  may contain a single microprocessor or it may contain a plurality of microprocessors for configuring central controller  12  as a multi-processor system. Examples of currently available processors that may be suitable as central processor  18  include 64 bit AMD opteron and 64 bit Itanium from Intel. Equivalent processors may also be used. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that newer and faster models will be developed and would be suitable for use in the present invention.  
         [0016]     Cryptographic processor  20  is a processor that supports the authentication of communications from and to donors, philanthropic organizations, and central controller  12 . Cryptographic processor  20  is also suitable for providing anonymity in transactions, secure processing of electronic transactions, secure electronic data interchange (EDI), Internet commerce servers and all other applications that require high-volume transactions and maximum security. Examples of suitable, currently available apparatus include the IBM® PCI Cryptographic Coprocessor, the Okiok RAC/M IX ICP Cryptographic Processor and the like. Equivalent processors may also be used. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that newer and faster models will be developed and would be suitable for use in the present invention.  
         [0017]     Memory  22  includes random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM) as well as high-speed cache memory. Memory  22  may also include an application program  40  that stores, in part, instructions and data for execution by central processor  18 . If the system  10  of the present invention is wholly or partially implemented in software, including a computer program, memory  22  stores the executable code when in operation.  
         [0018]     Controller  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrates operating system  24  as a Windows®-based platform available from Microsoft Corporation that may be used for implementing the method of the present invention. However, numerous other platforms can also suffice for use as operating system  24 , such as Macintosh-based platforms available from Apple Computer, Inc., platforms with different bus configurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, other personal computers, personal digital assistants (e.g., Palm Pilot®, Blackberry®, Clié®, 3Com, etc.), workstations, mainframes, navigation systems, and the like.  
         [0019]     Network interface  26  is the gateway to communication with donors through donor interface  16  as well as with other users of system  10 . Network interface  26  may be a network interface card for interfacing central controller  12  to a network, a modem, or the like. Conventional internal or external modems may also serve as network interface  26 . Network interface  26  supports modems at a range of baud rates from 1200 upward, but may combine such inputs into a T1 or T3 line if more bandwidth is required. In a preferred embodiment, network interface  26  is connected with the Internet and/or any of the commercial on-line services such as America Online, MSN, etc., allowing donors and other users access from a wide range of on-line connections. Several commercial electronic mail servers include the above functionality in, for example, mail software packages designed to link people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. These types of products are platform independent and utilize open standards based upon Internet protocols. Users can exchange messages with enclosures such as files, graphics, video and audio. The system also supports multiple languages. Alternatively, network interface  26  may be configured as a voice mail interface, web site, BBS, or electronic mail address.  
         [0020]     Data storage device is a non-volatile storage device for storing data, software and instructions for use by central processor  18  and is typically implemented with a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive. Data storage device  28  also contains data repositories used in the processing of transactions in the present invention, including a philanthropic organization repository  42  and a donor account repository  44 . Philanthropic organization repository  42  maintains data  46  on philanthropic organizations with fields such as name, address, telephone number, mission statements, impact statements, backgrounds, histories, executive director statements, geographic information, management information, governance information, board of directors information, organizational infrastructure information, board of directors demographics, board of directors and management biographies, awards, recognition, national affiliations, related organizations, educations, diversity, staffing, contractors, volunteers, financial history, revenue sources, resource allocations, programs, committees, recommendations, reviews, and strategic plans. Donor account repository  44  maintains account data  48  for individual donors such as donor fund balance, grant history, donation history, contribution history, vouchers, investments, and associated philanthropic organization information. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, any suitable type of software may be used to create and manage these repositories.  
         [0021]     In another embodiment, data storage device  28  may also store application program  40  or the purpose of loading program  40  to memory  22 . Computer software, instructions or data, including data  46  and  48 , may also be stored in central processor  18  rather than data storage device  28 .  
         [0022]     Controller  12  may further include peripheral device(s)  34 , portable storage medium drive(s)  36 , input device(s)  38 , graphics subsystem  40  and display  42 . For purposes of simplicity, the components shown in  FIG. 1  are depicted as being connected via a single bus  50  However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the components may be connected through one or more data transport means. For example, processor  18  and memory  22  may be connected via a local microprocessor bus, and data storage device  28 , peripheral device(s)  30 , portable storage medium drive(s)  32 , and graphics subsystem  36  may be connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses.  
         [0023]     Peripheral device(s)  30  may include any piece of hardware or computer support device, such as an input/output (I/O) interface, used to add additional functionality to central controller  12 . Other examples of peripheral device(s)  30  include, but are not limited to, printers, scanners, disk and tape drives, microphones, speakers, joysticks, plotters, and cameras.  
         [0024]     Portable storage medium drive(s)  32  operates in conjunction with a portable non-volatile storage medium, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, or other computer-readable medium, to input and output data and code to and from central controller  12 . In one embodiment, program  40  or data  46  and  48  is stored on a portable medium, and is then inputted to central controller  12  via portable storage medium drive  32 .  
         [0025]     Input device(s)  34  provides a portion of a user interface with central controller  12 . Input device(s)  34  may include an alpha-numeric keypad for inputting alphanumeric and other key information, or a pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, wheel, cursor or direction keys. Such devices provide additional means for interfacing with repositories  42  and  44 .  
         [0026]     In order to display textual and graphical information, central controller  12  includes graphics subsystem  36  and display  38 . Graphics subsystem  36  receives textual and graphical information and processes the information for output to display  38 . Display  38  may include a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display (LCD), projection displays, other suitable display devices, or means for displaying, that enables a user to view data. Display  38  can be used to display data, component interfaces and/or display other information that is part of a user interface.  
         [0027]     In a further embodiment, the present invention also includes a computer program  52  that includes a storage medium (media) component having instructions stored thereon which can be used to program a computer to perform the method of the present invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of computer-readable medium including floppy disks, optical disks, DVD, CD-ROMs, magnetic optical disks, RAMs, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions.  
         [0028]     Stored on any one of the computer-readable medium (media), the present invention may also include software  54  for controlling both the hardware of central controller  12  or processors  18  and  20 , and for enabling central controller  12 , processor  18  and cryptographic processor  20  to interact with a human user or other mechanism utilizing the results of the present invention. Software  54  may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems and user applications. Ultimately, such computer-readable media further includes donor management software  56  for performing the method of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, software  56  is downloaded to central controller  12  and stored in memory  22  as part of application program  40 . For the purposes of simplicity, all references herein to application program  40  include software  56 . However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that software  56  may also be stored and executed separately from application  40 .  
         [0029]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , central controller  12  is connected via network interface  26  to transmission means  14  such as a network  48  (e.g., an intranet, the Internet, or other network), across communications lines  60 . Preferably, communications lines  60  are dedicated lines (e.g., LAN, WAN, standard dial-out telephone line, satellite, dedicated lease line, DSL) with a frame relay (or point-to-point) connection. Central controller  12  may also be directly linked to third party computer systems  62  rather than communicating with central controller  12  through network  48 . Third party computer system  62  may be, for example, a mainframe or PCs of at least XX486 processing ability (e.g., Pentium CPU) having at least one gigabyte drive,  16  megabytes of RAM, with typical I/O accessories including a keyboard, mouse, and printer or similar workstation. Each third party computer system  62  and central controller  12  and, more specifically, an output device or a server  64 , also have a modem  66  (e.g., CSDSU, T1 communication, DSL, satellite or cable modems) for coupling to communication lines  60  and enabling communications between central controller  12  and third party computer system  62 .  
         [0030]     Data storage device  28 , output device or server  64  and memory  22  may be implemented by one digital processor  18 . In that case, consolidation, scheduling, initial and subsequent segmenting of end users and execution of working programs are accomplished through the one processor  18 . In using the present invention, end users may be assisted by a third party. Alternatively, rule-based expert systems may be similarly employed in the present invention to provide dynamic end user behavioral and characteristics segmentation.  
         [0031]     In a preferred embodiment, donor interface  16  is a conventional personal computer having, at a minimum, an input device, such as a keyboard, mouse or conventional voice recognition software package, a display device, such as a video monitor, a processing device such as a CPU, and a network interface such as a modem. A cryptographic processor may also be included for stronger authentication protection. These devices interface with central controller  12 . Alternatively, donor interface  16  may also be a voice mail system, or other electronic or voice communications system such as a PDA, digital telephone, pocket personal computer or the like.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , donor interface  16  is described in more detail. Donor interface  16  includes a central processor  68 , a memory  70 , an operating system  72 , a network interface  74 , a data storage device  76 , a peripheral device(s)  78 , a portable storage medium drive(s)  80 , a graphics subsystem  82 , a display  84 , and an input device(s)  86 . Cryptographic processor  88  may also be added for stronger authentication and verification capabilities.  
         [0033]     Central processor  68  may contain a single microprocessor, such as a Pentium microprocessor, or it may contain a plurality of microprocessors for configuring donor interface  16  as a multi-processor system. Cryptographic processor  88  is a processor that supports the authentication of communications to and from donor interface  16  and central controller  12 . Cryptographic processor  20  is also suitable for providing anonymity in transactions, secure processing of electronic transactions, secure electronic data interchange (EDI), Internet commerce servers and all other applications that require high-volume transactions and maximum security. Examples of suitable, currently available apparatus include the IBM® PCI Cryptographic Coprocessor, the Okiok RAC/M IX ICP Cryptographic Processor and the like. Equivalent processors may also be used. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that new and faster models will be developed and would be suitable for use in the present invention.  
         [0034]     Memory  70  includes random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM) as well as high-speed cache memory. Memory  70  may also include an application program  90  that stores, in part, instructions and data for execution by central processor  68 . If donor interface  16  is wholly or partially implemented in software, including a computer program, memory  70  also stores the executable code when in operation. Operating system  72  is shown in Fig. X as a Windows®-based platform available from Microsoft Corporation. However, numerous other platforms can also suffice for use as operating system  72 , such as Macintosh-based platforms available from Apple Computer, Inc., platforms with different bus configurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, other personal computers, personal digital assistants (e.g., Palm Pilot(®, Blackberry®, Clié®, 3Com, etc.), workstations, mainframes, navigation systems, and the like.  
         [0035]     Network interface  74  is the gateway to communication with central controller  12 . Network interface  74  may be a network interface card for interfacing donor interface  16  to a network, a modem, or the like. Conventional internal or external modems may also serve as network interface  74 . Network interface In a preferred embodiment, network interface  74  is connected with the Internet and/or any of the commercial on-line services such as America Online, MSN, etc., allowing donors and other users access to central controller  12  from a wide range of on-line connections. Several commercial electronic mail servers include the above functionality in, for example, mail software packages designed to link people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. These types of products are platform independent and utilize open standards based upon Internet protocols. Users can exchange messages with enclosures such as files, graphics, video and audio. The system also supports multiple languages. Alternatively, network interface  74  may be configured as a voice mail interface, web site, BBS, or electronic mail address.  
         [0036]     Data storage device  76  is a non-volatile storage device for storing data, software and instructions for use by central processor  68  and is typically implemented with a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive. Data storage device  76  may be used for archiving philanthropic organization data  46  or donor account data  48 . In another embodiment, data storage device  76  may also store application program  90  for the purpose of loading program  90  to memory  70 . Computer software, instructions or data, including data  46  and  48 , may also be stored in central processor  68  rather than data storage device  76 .  
         [0037]     Donor interface  16  may further include peripheral device(s)  78 , portable storage medium drive(s)  80 , graphics subsystem  82 , display  84 , and input device(s)  86 . For purposes of simplicity, the components shown in FIG. X are depicted as being connected via a single bus  92 . However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the components may be connected through one or more data transport means. For example, processor  68  and memory  70  may be connected via a local microprocessor bus, and data storage device  76 , peripheral device(s)  78 , portable storage medium drive(s)  80 , and graphics subsystem  82  may be connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses.  
         [0038]     Peripheral device(s)  78  may include any piece of hardware or computer support device, such as an input/output (I/O) interface, used to add additional functionality to donor interface  16 . Other examples of peripheral device  78  include, but are not limited to, printers, scanners, disk and tape drives, microphones, speakers, joysticks, plotters, and cameras.  
         [0039]     Portable storage medium drive  80  operates in conjunction with a portable non-volatile storage medium, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, or other computer-readable medium, to input and output data and code to and from donor interface  16 . Program  90  or data  46  and  48  may be stored on a portable medium, and then inputted to donor interface  16  via portable storage medium drive  80 .  
         [0040]     In order to display textual and graphical information, donor interface  16  includes graphics subsystem  82  and display  84 . Graphics subsystem  82  receives textual and graphical information and processes the information for output to display  84 . Display  84  may include a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, liquid crystal display (LCD), projection displays, other suitable display devices, or means for displaying, that enables a user to view data. Display  84  can be used to display data, component interfaces and/or display other information that is part of a user interface.  
         [0041]     Input device(s)  86  provides a portion of a user interface with donor interface  16 . Input device(s)  86  may include an alpha-numeric keypad for inputting alphanumeric and other key information, or a pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, wheel, cursor or direction keys. Such devices provide additional means for interfacing with donor interface  16  and, ultimately, central controller  12 .  
         [0042]     In a further embodiment, the present invention also includes a computer program  94  that includes a storage medium (media) component having instructions stored thereon which can be used to program a computer to perform the method of the present invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of computer-readable medium including floppy disks, optical disks, DVD, CD-ROMs, magnetic optical disks, RAMs, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions.  
         [0043]     Stored on any one of the computer-readable medium (media), the present invention may also include software  96  for controlling both the hardware of donor interface  16  or processors  68  and  88 , and for enabling donor interface  16 , processors  68  and  88  to interact with a human user or other mechanism utilizing the results of the present invention. Software  54  may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems and user applications. Ultimately, such computer-readable media may further includes donor management software  98  for performing the method of the present invention.  
         [0044]     Many commercial software applications are available to enable the communications required by donor interface  16 . When central controller  12  acts as a web server, conventional communications software such as the Internet Explorer web browser from Microsoft Corporation or the Netscape Navigator® web browser from Netscape Corporation may also be used. No proprietary software is required.  
         [0045]     The present invention also provides a method for developing, accessing and managing information regarding philanthropic organizations and enabling donations thereto by donors. The preferred method includes inputting desirable philanthropic organization data  46  into central controller  12  wherein data  46  is collected and stored in philanthropic organization repository  42 . Philanthropic organization data  46  is collected, inputted, and stored in such a way as to correspond to a specific philanthropic organization. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , more particularly, an operator of central controller  12  or other persons associated with the operator or under the operator&#39;s direction (collectively the “operator”) first makes contact with a particular philanthropic organization via personal contact, telephone, electronic messaging, facsimile transmission or the like to request an appointment and interview as shown in step  102 . The operator then conducts any necessary research into the organization and prepares any necessary documentation or paperwork preparatory to the appointment at step  104 . Simultaneously, the organization gathers or prepares information for use by the operator in hard copy or electronic form at step  106 . At step  108 , the operator conducts a personal interview with a representative of the organization such as the President, Vice-President, Chainman of the Board, CEO, CFO or the like. During the interview, the operator confirms information already gathered and reviews information provided by the organization as shown in step  110 . The information may include, but is not limited to, the organization&#39;s name, address, telephone number, mission statements, impact statements, backgrounds, histories, executive director statements, geographic information, management information, governance information, board of directors information, organizational infrastructure information, board of directors demographics, board of directors and management biographies, awards, recognition, national affiliations, related organizations, educations, diversity, staffing, contractors, volunteers, financial history, revenue sources, resource allocations, programs, committees, recommendations, reviews, and strategic plans. The information developed, gathered or provided regarding the organization is then confirmed and assessed by the operator for suitability for inclusion into operator&#39;s method at step  112 . Assessment of the information includes, but is not limited to, the organization&#39;s future and current needs and risks, outcomes, measures, fund or donation development, leadership development, interest in setting up an endowment, fund or other accounting service, and the like. The information or data is then inputted into central controller  12  for inclusion in philanthropic organization repository  42  as philanthropic organization data  46  at step  113 . Data  46  is then sent via any communications means to the organization for review, confirmation and approval at step  114 . Upon receipt of the organization&#39;s approval, at step  116 , data  46  is finalized for storage in repository  42  and for use in the method of the present invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of software or hardware suitable for conducting steps  102 - 116  may be used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0046]     In use, application program  40  instructs central controller  12  to connect to transmission means  14  via network interface  26  and sends philanthropic organization data  46  to donor interface  16  which is then displayed for the donor in order to aid the donor&#39;s management of charitable funds. Both audio and visual data may be included in data  46  and transmitted in such a manner. Similarly, desired donor account data  48  may be inputted into central controller  12  and application program  40  wherein donor account data  48  is collected in such a way as to correspond to a specific donor. Application program  40  then connects to transmission means  14  via network interface  26  and sends donor account data  48  to donor interface  16  which is then displayed for the donor in order to aid the donor&#39;s management of charitable funds.  
         [0047]     In accordance with the method of the present invention, when central controller  12  acts as a web server, a donor logs on to the central controller  12 , makes queries or requests regarding philanthropic organizations or the donor&#39;s account, and then disconnects from the network. Central controller  12  is connected to a corresponding web site on the Internet thereby allowing the donor to provide and request information through the interface of conventional web browser software such as Internet Explorer from Microsoft Corporation. The web site has a home page with topic selections and links (e.g., hypertext HTML technology) to application program  40  thereby triggering searches and initiating transfer of data  46  and  48  and other desired information. In particular, for each topic or field selection there is a respective hyperlink to application program  40  and optionally an event for initiating program  40 . Upon the donor&#39;s selection of a topic from the web page page, the present invention applies the linked event, if any. If the criteria of the event are met (or if there is no initiating event), then the present invention executes the corresponding application program  40 .  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , a process is described by which a donor accesses data  46  and  48 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that buttons or drop-down menus may be provided on the web page for ease of selection and linking to appropriate web pages during performance of the method of the present invention. The donor logs on to central controller  12  using network interface  74  of donor interface  16  thereby establishing a communication link as shown in step  118 . A unique username and password may be provided to the donor which allows information particular to the donor to be made available for viewing by the donor. The donor inputs an assigned username and password into appropriate fields on the web page at step  120  and the donor&#39;s identity is verified by transmitting the information to central controller  12  which then matches the username and password against a particular account in donor account repository  44  at step  122 . A representative screen shot of the donor log-in page is shown in  FIG. 5 . If a correct username and password has been provided by the donor, at step  124 , central controller  12  transmits that portion of donor account data  48  that corresponds to the donor&#39;s account information to donor interface  16 . The donor may then select to view its account information including, but not limited to, the account&#39;s balance, grant history, contribution history, vouchers, and investments as shown in step  126 . The donor may also choose during this step to transfer additional monies into the account or provide suggestions regarding donations to particular philanthropic organizations.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-9 , a donor may select a field(s)  100  from which to search for a desired philanthropic organization at step  128 . Searchable field(s)  100  includes, but is not limited to, a philanthropic organization&#39;s name, a keyword, a geographic location, an organization type, a NTEE identifier, program types, and populations served. A screen shot is shown of a search screen provided by the graphical user interface of controller  12  in  FIG. 7 . The donor inputs the desired information into the relevant field  100  thereby requesting controller  12  to search within the fields  100  and search criteria inputted as shown in step  130 . For example, the donor may want information regarding philanthropic organizations located in the Kansas City Urban Core that focuses on civil rights and social action programs. The donor would either input or select from drop-down menus these search criteria in the geographic location and program type fields. Once the search criteria have been selected, the donor transmits them to central controller  12 . This is done by clicking on a “search” button, or functionally-equivalent action, located on the search screen provided by the graphical user interface. The search criteria are received by controller  12  and checked for matches against philanthropic organization repository  42  in step  132 . Philanthropic organization data  46  meeting the search criteria is then copied or otherwise transferred from repository  42  and transmitted to donor interface  16  for viewing by the donor in step  134 .  FIG. 8  shows a screen shot of the search results. At step  136 , the donor may choose to start over and enter new search criteria in fields  100  or the donor may choose to refine the search criteria to narrow the number of results achieved. If, however, the donor is satisfied with the search results, the donor may select a particular philanthropic organization developed by the search for viewing at step  138 . Once selected, a screen is provided having the data  46  applicable to the philanthropic organization selected by the donor thereon at step  140  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Data  46  may be provided in a report or other easily-viewable format. After reviewing data  46 , the donor may choose to view additional available data  46  at step  142 , get a more detailed report containing data  46  at step  144 , add data  46  to a list of philanthropic organizations of interest maintained as donor account data  48  at step  146 , or make a donation, pledge, allocation or the like to the philanthropic organization(s) selected at  148 . If the donor has elected to allocate funds, the donor inputs a request to allocate funds from the donor&#39;s account to the selected philanthropic organization at step  150 . The request is transmitted to central controller  12  where an order to so allocate the donor&#39;s funds is generated at step  152 . Finally, at step  154 , the order is fulfilled and donor account data  48  is amended to reflect the allocation of funds to the selected philanthropic information. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the order to allocate funds may include transactions actually transferring such funds from one account to another or may simply provide instructions to the operator of controller  12  that such a transfer should be initiated.  
         [0050]     In an off-line embodiment of the present invention, donors communicate in an off-line manner with central controller  12 . Rather than sending electronic mail or using web-based servers, donors use a telephone, fax machine, postal mail, or other off-line communication tool. For example, the donor may call central controller  12  and be connected with an agent. The donor may request account information data  48  or philanthropic organization data  46 . The donor also provides a unique ID, username, password or private key so that central controller  12  can authenticate the donor&#39;s identity. The agent puts this data into digital form by typing it into a terminal or other input device  34  and retrieves data  46  and/or  48  to convey to the donor.  
         [0051]     In an alternative embodiment, the donor calls central controller  12  and is connected with a conventional interactive voice response unit which allows the donor to enter an account number or other data without the aid of a live agent. The donor initially selects from a menu of subjects using the touch-tone keys of a telephone, and then the call is either directed to a live agent specializing in that subject area, or the donor is prompted for further information.  
         [0052]     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.