Impact Update: After implementing their new software, Charlotte Center for Literary Arts has saved 260 hours of staff time and increased attendance to classes by 27%.
One year after the completion of this community impact project, we checked in with Paul Reali to see how the implementation of Configio, the software selected, has amplified Charlotte Center for Literary Arts’ (Charlotte Lit) nonprofit impact. Since the implementation of the software, the ease-of-use both for members and for staff has been a game changer for them.
“We needed a system where we could control the look and feel on the customer end. I think the user interface is really clean for the user. We have extensive control over what that looks like and can fine-tune it on the back end. This was important to us. Configio is highly complex. I think we are only scratching the surface of what it’s able to do. Everything we have needed it to do in the system – it’s able to do,” Paul Reali, Co-founder and Executive Director of Charlotte Lit shared.
Implementation
By implementing Configio, Charlotte Lit saved 260 hours of staff time. When they implemented the system, they anticipated increasing class attendance by 10%. They have nearly tripled that goal by increasing attendance in their classes by 27%. “Our old system did not have an attractive way to list our classes. We had to manually create our own page. This 20-hour task has now been eliminated. Configio works for our users, allowing them to filter to find the correct course, and allowing them to register, all in one place. So not only did it help us save time, but it made it easier for our users. We wanted members and potential members to be able to experience this page and for it to look professional, and now we have that,” Reali explains.
Charlotte Lit’s membership is currently at the highest level since its inception eight years ago. Reali contributes this, in part, to how easy it is to apply for membership online with Configio, the software selected in this project.
“The implementation process of Configio also went well,” Reali stated. Configio customized the system to meet Charlotte Lit’s needs and did this in a short timeframe. Reali has a background in technology. His staff, who do not all have tech backgrounds were able to easily learn how to use the system. Overall, the implementation of Configio has changed the way Charlotte Lit does business and is allowing them to focus on their mission of educating and engaging writers through classes, conversations, and community.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Reali shared his thoughts on Configio, the software selected and now in place at Charlotte Lit. “We went through the same process on our own two years earlier and made the wrong decision. The ability of the Duke Energy team to ask the right questions and organize demos allowed us to make sure we found the system with the features we needed so that we would make the right decision. We are thankful.”
Open Impact Update in Own Window
