Project 2: Implement a Business-wide Computer Information System

In order to increase the effective management, monitoring and measurement of our programs and services in affiliated preschools the Trust is looking to leverage information technology to achieve these goals.

The following research by K. Krige of the Gordon Institute of Business Science supports KET’s efforts to establish effective and efficient computer information systems.

"Nonprofits must build their internal capacity to measure the work that they are doing, if they are to remain competitive in this increasingly difficult market place. This is because when money is tight, doing good is just not a compelling enough motivator for funding. It is therefore becoming critical that social organisations demonstrate that they are doing good. In doing so, they build organisations that are connected both to their beneficiaries and donors - in short they build accountability. The cycle of information connects itself. 
This argument becomes stronger as finances become harder to come by. The retraction of international funding and the need to connect to individual donors will result in the survival of the nonprofits who do not just do good work, but who report on their work and connect with their public. This is not a competition of whose cause is more worthy, but rather a playing field that will be leveled by who can communicate their work the most effectively. 

Measuring impact is at the heart of this communication. 

Jim Collins highlights this in his very readable booklet, ‘Good to Great and the Social Sectors’.  He refers to the need to build brand so that your organisation can cultivate a “deep well of emotional goodwill and mindshare of potential supporters.”

How do you do this? 

It is not actually about expensive marketing campaigns (as nice as these are if you can afford them). Rather it is about communicating measurement – consistently demonstrating the work that you are doing, your progress and challenges. In doing so, you build up a body of research that allows you to track your achievements and failures, innovate your programmes and deepen your impact. 
Measurement is no longer the select field of researchers and statisticians. We all need to become monitoring and evaluation motivators if we want to be the nonprofit that continues into the future. 

It is right that donors are becoming fussier about how we report to them and on what. It is unfortunate, but the fastest behaviour change in the sector is when donors demand something. Their demand for greater measurement and impact reporting should quickly force greater accountability and greater measurement. 

And so we must take the first step in completing the cycle to building a strengthened, trusted, professional and accountable civil society.”

Should you be in the position to assist the Trust with funding this system kindly contact fundraiser@knysnaedutrust.co.za.