The role of top technology leader at a nonprofit has unique demands. Just ask Jim W. Toy, the 42-year-old CIO at Phoenix-based Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Each year, the IT department participates in a formal organizationwide goal-setting session. And when negotiating with vendors, Toy isn't just looking for the best deal; whenever possible, he seeks out partners who can offer pro-bono services or in-kind gifts of hardware or software.
The fact is, the foundation needs and uses technology the same way for-profit organizations do. Its Web site is its "lifeblood," Toy says, with revenue generated by one-time online donations exceeding the amount generated by both mail-in and recurring monthly pledges.
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