Skilled volunteers assisted Missionary Athletes International with a software application selection to improve management of their growing donor data
Missionary Athletes International (MAI) is an organization with a passion to share the message of Jesus Christ with people around the world through the sport of soccer. MAI claims that since soccer is the world’s most popular sport, if you roll out a soccer ball almost anywhere in the world, you will attract a crowd of children. This organization’s primary methods of evangelism and discipleship have been the organizing of soccer teams, conducting soccer camps, and taking short-term soccer tours overseas. MAI says that through the common enjoyment of this worldwide sport, they are able to build relationships that allow them to share their message.
Missionary Athletes International contacted Apparo for assistance with a donor management application selection to replace its current system and integrate with their current accounting software. Previously, they were using an application that was not sufficiently supporting the organization’s evolving needs. They were seeking an application that would allow them to better manage, track, and analyze their growing 3,000+ donor base.
Apparo paired MAI with a skilled volunteer team and Change Agent. This skilled volunteer team partnered with MAI to review current processes around collecting and managing donor data that allowed them to document prioritized business and software requirements. As a result of the current state assessment, the team conducted marketplace research to determine the most effective tools for MAI, then scheduled and facilitated demonstrations from software vendors. Afterward, volunteers recommended a range of applications and worked alongside the organization to narrow down the best solution.
Following their new application implementation, MAI anticipates many increased efficiencies, including moving away from paper checks to online donations and sending acknowledgments virtually, which will encourage online donations. Through utilizing integrations within their new system, the organization can streamline their email marketing practices, saving $150 per month. Now that they have an application with multi-factor authentication capabilities in their new platform, once utilized, MAI will be better able to ensure data is safe internationally. Because the organization can now have more consistent communications and follow-ups with existing donors, they also anticipate increasing donor retention. Additionally, staff will be better equipped in their day-to-day functions around fundraising and supporting donors. Through these efforts, efficiencies created in and beyond the area of donor data management will better position the nonprofit to reach their goals for years to come.
The project team shares their insight:
- “The volunteers were incredibly professional, and it was very helpful and interesting to have their perspectives. One of our strategic initiatives is to provide more automation, mobility, and donor growth, so this is probably the most important system we will ever implement.” -Brent Morris
- “The Baringa team nailed it. They did a great job of deep-diving into MAI’s current processes and used that knowledge to create a robust requirements document to identify viable vendors. The team did a fantastic job organizing demonstrations and helped narrow down the solution to the best option.” -Eden Estabrook
- “We really valued having different skillsets eyes looking at this. We have offices that would ask how we came to this decision, and it would make them feel good knowing that we had such a skilled team helping us through this process. This adds a lot of value and credibility rather than if we had looked at solutions on our own.” -Micah Holland
