Enhanced nonprofit use of Microsoft Excel increases nonprofit revenue and saves nearly 300 hours of time annually, driving more critical funds to help create more positive relationships that improve the lives of young people in need of mentorship.
We met with Tyler Hoffman, Data & Research Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas to discuss the impact of his recent Apparo Tech Therapy, with volunteer Mario Field, to help optimize his use of Microsoft Excel.
Tyler explains, “We were providing the Board and our leadership with basic donor database reports and it was just too much data for them, too in the weeds. I needed help to deliver a high level overview that gave real insights into our fundraising trends and current performance, so that we could understand how we are doing and make accurate projections and decisions.
“We are now better at knowing where to invest our fundraising time and money and I am saving a lot of time in my work. I feel like I came from caveman days. My use of Excel was primitive. I had no idea of the shortcuts that I could have been taking. The weekly effort of creating these reports has decreased from six hours to 20 minutes. (300 hours a year down to 17 hours or 283 hours of time saved annually) Time that I am putting to work in our fundraising.
“My volunteer, Mario Field, is amazing. His work with me was a real testament to his character and charity. If I had a question that he didn’t know the answer for, he found it for me. He was very calm with all of my questions. Excel is not easy to learn and he made it work for me.
” Jerri (Grant, Apparo’s Technology Advisor) was great to work with. I really appreciate how she kept us on schedule because I am so busy with my work. I would highly recommend Apparo to another nonprofit. They have the knowledge or can get it for you. They do great, strong work.”
