Microsoft Impact at Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario

Wishes have increased by 93 per cent since 2006 at Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario, and Microsoft programs help ensure we continue to grant quality wishes!

The ways we use Microsoft products to optimize mission delivery include:

Microsoft Word

• Create wish, volunteer and donor files
• Develop information packages and forms for wish families, service providers and volunteers
• Correspondence with wish families, donors and volunteers
• Create letters and proposals for supporters
• Write thank you letters
• Generate educational resources and materials about our organization
• Create event agendas and pledge sheets

Microsoft Access

• Keep track of pertinent information on each wish family and the child’s wish, expenses relating to the wish
• Keep mailing list up to date
• Track activities, communication, recognition and stewardship of donors, supporters and volunteers
• Track event status, in-kind donations, cash donations, attendees
• Provide ongoing reports
• Maintain volunteer program policy
• Document organizational history
• Secure entry of data
• Maintain donor, volunteer and wish family records

Microsoft Excel

• Create charts and graphs e.g. budget
• Export data from our accounting software into a user friendly software application allowing us to organize support data for our financial reports
• Create spreadsheets for contact information, event schedules, amount raised by event location

Microsoft Publisher

• Provide updates to volunteers on new and/or improved policies
• Create wish stories, e-newsletters and e-blasts for donors and volunteers
• Produce donor recognition certificates
• Create event materials e.g. programs, tent cards, draw tickets, posters, etc.
• Create wish stars to commemorate each child's wish

Microsoft PowerPoint

• Provide interactive and fun wish grantor training
• Create quality presentations for proposals, programs, events, volunteer orientations
• Generate presentations to raise awareness of events

Microsoft Outlook

• Electronic communications with donors, supporters, volunteers, other chapters

Microsoft Small Business Server 2003

• Network operating system within our office environment

Windows XP Professional

• Operating system on each individual computer station

Internet Explorer

• Research and explore the infinite opportunities of our organization within the community
• Materials created in various Microsoft programs are posted on our website www.swo.makeawish.ca