Swift transformation from manual processing for Irish Grant-Maker
Wednesday 27th July 2011
Buzzacott Giving Solutions (BGS) has helped transform the grant-making capability of Genio, a pioneering organisation based in Ireland that works with government, philanthropists and the non-profit sector. They support and promote innovative approaches to help people who are socially excluded live full lives in their communities.
Genio recently purchased GIFTS through BGS to help administer their latest round of grant-making in the disability and mental health sectors. GIFTS is a modular, off-the-shelf package designed to help grant makers manage all aspects of their work, from handling applications to reviewing project results and reporting on the research data gathered.
Before using GIFTS, the small team at Genio had to input written applications into their database manually, then monitor the grants and evaluate their outcomes as part of the organisation’s culture of accountability to funders and stakeholders. Using a very basic database, the process was a huge undertaking that was becoming ever more complex as both the organisation and its information resource grew.
Commenting on GIFTS, its installation and rapid effects, a Genio spokesperson said: “We were really happy because we were able to go live with our online application forms within two weeks of installing GIFTS. We really appreciated having a dedicated consultant, Kim Hook, who visited us to deliver training and help us set up the system. Once we were trained to set up the online form, we could test it and make changes ourselves until it was just right for our needs.
“Applicants were especially happy with the system because they could save their work, share it with colleagues and log back in at any time to complete their application before the deadline…”
“The evaluation team had all the project details to hand in the database so they could make their funding recommendations quickly. The information was gathered together in good time for a board meeting to make the final decisions. The process is now almost complete, and applicants will soon be updated as to whether or not their application was successful…”
“Our next goal with GIFTS is to use it to manage our networking and learning events through the Genio Learning Exchange.”
You can find out more about the Genio Trust at www.genio.ie
Kim Hook