possible existing solutions that may be of help

[teifeldassociates at netcom.com]

I've noticed some of the discussion both here and at lwn.net
regarding selecting an appropriate accounting system for SFLC.
One poster on lwn seems to have mentioned one of the key issues
that seems to be at the core of what is needed- an understanding
of fund accounting, and how to achieve it by either existing
proprietary solutions, or through existing open source ERP systems.

Fund accounting, while not required by FASB 117 or other accounting
standards, nevertheless has been the standard technique by which
nonprofits have apportioned and managed grants and contracts in 
their accounting systems for years. There are many good proprietary
nonprofit accounting system software packages that are setup to do
fund accounting; one mentioned was FundEZ, but there is also
Blackbaud and Sage 100 as well.

I appreciate the importance of using an open source solution, and I
wondered if in the considerations of those involved in the accounting
system selection/design process whether FundEZ, Blackbaud, and/or
Sage 100 were explored in any way- even if only as design templates.
Were these packages used by any of the individuals who were interviewed,
and did they indicate that the functionality of these systems was
inadequate in any way?