Skilled volunteers created a thorough technology plan, empowering Rebuilding Together Greater Charlotte staff to focus on their mission of ensuring critical home repairs to neighbors in need
G.A.I.N. – Powered by Lowe’s
Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte (RTGC) mobilizes community volunteers and contractors to provide repairs that make homes safer and healthier for our neighbors in need. Their work prioritizes critical repairs that correct twenty-five scientifically proven health and safety hazards that are common in older homes, including falls, fires, moisture and mold, asthma and allergies and toxic exposures such as carbon monoxide. They also actively partner with other local organizations to connect the communities they serve with additional resources to meet needs and help create healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods.
Apparo’s G.A.I.N. (Growth, Agility, and Innovation for Nonprofits) Grant Program provides nonprofit participants with the tools, training, and other support they need to implement and sustain their technology and process improvements. G.A.I.N. delivers a one-year journey of technology and process improvement to a cohort of nonprofits to help them overcome their technology challenges and amplify their nonprofit impact. The G.A.I.N. program is generously sponsored by Lowe’s.
RTGC came to Apparo for assistance streamlining processes and increasing efficiency. They wanted to improve their internet access and cybersecurity process, as well as improve client intake processes. Prior to their experience with Apparo, clients would apply online and have difficulty figuring out what documents to send in with their application. This created a lot of back and forth via phone and email, making the process frustrating and time-consuming.
Through Apparo’s G.A.I.N. program, RTGC was matched with skilled volunteers from CAVA and Hylaine, as well as a tech mentor from CapTech Consulting. Together they assessed RTGC’s current state and pain points, explored various solutions and created a technology plan based on volunteer recommendations.
Transforming the client intake process leads to nonprofit growth
One of RTGC’s pain points was the timely and difficult client intake process. With the help of skilled volunteers, they discovered their current cybersecurity software offered a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Staff members were able to easily use this VPN when they were working remotely, thus they are able to now meet clients close to where they live for in person intake meetings. This has helped make the process smoother and they can keep their client’s sensitive information safe. With this change, RTGC anticipates saving 5 hours of work per week. Kamaria Clifton, Director of Operations with Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, states “With the help of the volunteers, we found out our security system has a VPN. It’s much safer to meet in a public place while handling sensitive client information. This has transformed our client intake process. The value of sitting with technology experts is so strong!”
In person client intake meetings has also improved the relationships they have with their constituents. They are now meeting face to face instead of going back and forth through telephone or email. Clifton states “The fact that we are in the same room, face to face, joking and getting to know each other builds trust with the organization from the beginning.”
Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte also anticipates revenue growth due to the improved client intake process. The efficiency of processing applications creates more projects in the construction pipeline. Since projects are funded by the government, the efficiency of getting projects into motion brings in more funding. As Beth Morrison-North, Executive Director of RTGC, states, “the more projects we do, the more money we bring in.”
Software recommendations made by the skilled volunteer team have assisted RTGC to grow revenue and reduce costs. By switching to Better World for their fundraising, their processing fees for each donation reduces from 6% to 2.5-3%. Plus, the previous software had an annual fee of $6000 whereas Better World is free for nonprofits. With this one change, they increase their revenue by decreasing donation processing fees, and they save $6000 per year. They are excited to explore the fundraising tools in Better World in the future.
Cybersecurity measures help with grant applications
With the increase in cybersecurity, including using multifactor authenticator apps, VPNs and cybersecurity software, RTGC anticipates growing their revenue. The organization is applying for a $500,000 government grant which requires the nonprofit to have cybersecurity insurance. When applying for insurance, they were able to secure the insurance quickly and affordably due to all the changes they made as a result of this project. If they did not have these processes in place, they may not have received the insurance and could not apply for the grant.
Morrison-North sums up the project, “This process has been great from the beginning. All of the things we quickly learned and the volunteers’ willingness to share their knowledge has been astounding. They aren’t just recommending software they use but are really trying to make sure the solutions work for us.”
Skilled volunteers reflect on their project experiences:
- “It’s been a pleasure working with everyone. Everyone was so engaged. I don’t get to do much thought work, so it has been fantastic being able to do so.” – Macharia Lamar, CapTech Consulting
- “This has been fun. I really enjoyed seeing what your nonprofit does every day. It’s a privilege to share our knowledge and help you streamline your processes. I look forward to working with you all in the future.” – Colin Patterson, CAVA
