Tech Planning Pulls the Pieces Together

Washington Health Foundation (WHF) is a Seattle-based nonprofit whose mission is to improve health for the people of Washington, and they are well on their way. Their Healthiest State in the Nation campaign contributed to boosting Washington’s health ranking from #15 in 2004 to #10 in 2008!

Thanks to technology strategy and planning assistance from NPower, WHF is now poised to focus its unique mix of public affairs, policy, grantmaking, and direct service, to realize a vision of moving Washington to the top spot as the healthiest state in the nation.

“We are in such a better place because of NPower’s work with us over the past year.”

-Jennifer Muhm, President of Public Affairs

The Challenge

• Without an in-house IT team, WHF relied heavily on multiple consultants, each responsible for one aspect of their technology.
• Lack of a coordinated technology effort led to problems with their website, database, and mobile email access.
• In 2008, WHF prioritized the need make their website more useful and user-friendly.

The Solution

• NPower staff met with WHF staff to identify problems and needs, then conducted an overall technology assessment.
• The information collected in the assessment allowed the NPower team to research options and present a strategic technology plan that addressed concerns about website, database, and email systems.
• By the end of our engagement, the new website was live, staff were enjoying consistent email access at the office and on their smartphones, and were reaping the benefits of the NPower recommended CRM database.

The Impact

• The web redesign provided for clearer messaging and a more user-friendly interface to engage the community.
• Email integration improved communication and allowed the technology to fade into the background while staff remained focused on the mission.
• WHF’s new strategic technology plan illuminated new uses for technology - such as social media and video sharing - as ways to widen the scope of communication and improve their ability to share positive stories from participants.