A bespoke monitoring and evaluation app developed in Stoke-on-Trent is set to revolutionise how not-for-profit organisations record and analyse their work.
Independent consultancy Heaward Solutions has worked with Staffordshire University and Keele University and an app developer to produce Not For Profit Insight.
It is promoted as an intuitive, easy to use app which helps small and medium-sized organisations collect information and output reports on how effective their work is.
Andrew Heaward, Managing Director of the Stoke-on-Trent firm based, has helped scores of charities and not for profit organisations to develop effective strategies and raise vital funds.
While each scheme has provided vital support for communities, Andrew says there’s often issues around monitoring the impact of individual projects, and the launch of Not For Profit Insight will help to change that.
“I believe the Not For Profit Insight app can be a gamechanger for the sector,” said Andrew. “One of the fundamentals in business is you can’t track what you can’t measure, and this applies equally to the not-for-profit sector.
“Whether you are providing food for hungry children or community sports sessions, it is easy to see that poor data is a major issue. It hinders the process when applying for vital grant funding and has a direct detrimental impact on the services provided to the community.”
A basic problem is not for profits often don’t have the staff time available to gather accurate information.
Andrew, pictured above, added: “Not For Profit Insight has been developed around bespoke software.
“It’s designed to be easy to use on a smart phone, tablet or laptop, giving you a range of valuable information on your inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact. It provides each organisation with bespoke, unique and secure data that is fully compliant with privacy legislation.”
Andrew worked with Keele-based NoCode app developer, Delphos, while support was brought in from both Keele and Staffordshire universities.
Heaward Solutions also applied for and won funding from the Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships (SDIPs) programme.
“From the initial spark of an idea to the design and build, we can certainly say this is a success story made in Staffordshire and because of this we will offer a discount to Staffordshire Not For Profit organisations.”
The app has now been launched following initial trials with two North Staffordshire based charities.
