Nonprofit uses technology for fund-raising

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Dec 06, 2002 by Kropf, Annemarie

SYRACUSE - In order to raise funds for its organization, Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare (SBH) is taking a technological approach. SBH provides a comprehensive range of care for those suffering from alcohol and drug addictions.

"We've always taken the most progressive approach," says Robert V. Shear, president of SBH. "We're employing strategies that make sense to us and our mission."

The nonprofit organization is participating in the Syracuse Auto Dealers Charity Preview at the Oncenter Feb. 3, 2003, for the first time. Nine other charities are also participating. Shear is currently looking for businesses to sponsor SBH for $500, $1,000, or $2,000. He says the goal is at least $10,000. Sponsors also receive multiple tickets to the show.

The organization is using the Internet and CD "brochures" to interest potential sponsors. SBH has added a link on its Web site, www.sbh.org/autoshow, where sponsors can fill out an online form and make a donation. One CD "brochure" features links to the SBH Web site, information about the auto show, a video clip of last year's auto show, and a video appeal from Shear. Another CD "brochure" is pocketsized, and only lacks the Shear video. "We've presented this to them in a neat way," he says. "We've gotten a positive response from people."

A few weeks ago, SBH sent the first round of mailings out to businesses with which the organization interacts on a regular basis. "It went to people who receive our newsletter and do business with us," Shear says. A second round of mailings also has been sent out, this time to other businesses that were part of the Central New York 100. "We're introducing ourselves to people who didn't know us before," Shear notes. Altogether, approximately 160 CD "brochures" were sent out to Syracuse businesses.

"We're doing something special in order to get people's attention," he notes. "We're pushing the envelope in terms of what we can do."

The SBH Center, at 847 James St., treats 1,200 patients each year. Of these, 400 patients lack insurance, Shear says. The Center is a 40-bed, in-patient facility, and treats 250 outpatients at any one time.

"This year, we've experienced a number of major changes," Shear says. "We need the community to provide care at a higher level than before." One of those changes was the loss of support from the United Way, which was a major contributor to SBH. Shear says that earlier this year, the United Way chose to stop its funding of alcohol-related organizations. "The general trend in [organizational and state] policy has been away from helping the uninsured," Shear adds.

Started in 1959, SBH also runs the Brick House, which is a halfway house for men and women.

Businesses interested in sponsoring SBH can contact autoshow@sbh.org.