How We Streamlined Data Entry for a Non-Profit
At Skeleton Key, our overarching goal is to help people and organizations in all sectors, including non-profits, overcome operational inefficiencies and escape the work rut with the power of the FileMaker Platform. When Operation Food Search came to us with some specific challenges they were facing, our team readily accepted the task. In this post, we’ll explore the particular problems, solutions, and results related to that project so you can gain a deeper understanding of how Skeleton Key can help your organization next.
The Mission of Operation Food Search
Operation Food Search is committed to connecting people with food. They work with partner agencies to close the food gap in rural and urban communities by coordinating and scheduling with those partners to collect donations from restaurants and grocery stores. Their partners then distribute those donations to food pantries across the region.
The Problem
When Skeleton Key and Operation Food Search met, Operation Food Search was drowning in triplicate forms generated during the cumbersome donation and pick-up process. Even disregarding this inefficiency and the sheer cost of the paper forms themselves, it took the organization weeks to account for a single day’s worth of donations. These extended turnaround times resulted in frustration, food waste, and miscounted donations—or even missing donations entirely—because of incomplete forms and a lack of real-time, actionable data. If ever there was a work rut that needed escaping, Operation Food Search was in it.
Operation Food Search realized they needed an easier way to orchestrate and manage donation information. Fortunately, a donation of iPads from one of their largest donors prompted an introduction to the business team at the local Apple Store and a subsequent referral to the problem solvers at Skeleton Key.
The Solution
Operation Food Search worked with Skeleton Key to build a custom FileMaker solution and replaced almost all the donation paperwork with iPads that were either purchased directly or provided by donors. Partner agencies now use the iPads and the user-friendly app created by Skeleton Key to collect real-time information at every step of the process, without the need for a consistent internet connection.
This new approach enables Operation Food Search to quickly scale and adapt to meet their donors’ growing generosity. With the ability to handle increased donations as well as pick-up demands, Operation Food Search is now able to account for more contributions every day. By using FileMaker and having Skeleton Key as their development team, Operation Food Search is making it easier to get more food to the people who need it most.
The Result
As a direct result of their customized FileMaker Platform, Operation Food Search has been able to accept and deliver more food donations every day, thereby maximizing the amount of good they’re able to do in the community.
Skeleton Key Is Here to Help Your Organization Next
No matter what industry your organization operates in, the team at Skeleton Key is ready to help your team overcome specific challenges next. Contact us today, and we’ll work with you to clarify your unique struggles and show how the FileMaker Platform can help you overcome those inefficiencies.
