Organization information updated
Having just edited the 20th organization's information this week, it would be very helpful if applicants were able to edit their own information. I know this has been an issue for years, and people are anxious about giving organizations this right, but it's getting to be ridiculous. Not only is it a waste of time for us, it's also an embarrassment to have inaccurate information posted. PLEASE help me to help them!
-
Matt Blinstrubas commented
I think we found a solution if this doesn't get changed. For the next cycle - We might figure out a way to use the follow up forms or applications themselves to include a question where people can upload a contact sheet. The instructions will say something about how we don't use the database to track addresses so please complete this organization contact sheet and upload here. of course the better solution from our end is from people to update themselves. But if that's not possible, we'll have to find another way. We've stopped updating peoples addresses anyway it's too time consuming. Better for us to have people just ignore that section altogether.
-
Matt Blinstrubas commented
I agree that it would be much more efficient for our small staff if organizations were allowed to update their own information and if there was a smoother process for managing the ongoing transitions of organizational staff from one year too the next. In addition to having to update grantee contact info ourselves, people call because they've unknowingly created duplicate or multiple profiles for an organization. If they're requesting renewal funding, they call because they can't find the report form from the previous year. This is because they've created a new profile and started working on the application and have no idea that they need the login for their colleague (or former colleague) or former colleague to access the report for the previous grant. It usually takes about 20 - 30 minutes to take a call with this question, merge duplicate profiles, reassign reports, and follow up with the grantee. With over 120 active grantees and 350 applications in our annual RFP - this becomes a burden.
There must be an easier, creative solution. What if a grantee, when creating a profile, is notified that their organization is already in the system. The could add their contact info and be given an option to "request" to be added to their organization's profile. I would then get an automated email with a contact change request, and a few clicks to "accept" this request. It would be like a facebook notification email, for friend requests or when someone writes on your wall.
-
Kelly Thompson commented
Perhaps it could be something organizations can update with approval then needing to be completed by staff.
-
Mary Giraulo commented
If organizations are allowed to edit their info, then there should be an automatic notification that goes to the grant staff or AT LEAST a way to check the audit trail from time to time (I prefer an email, though - I've got enough to check!). We have multiple databases that would need updating (Outlook, fundraising database, financial database, online email database).
-
Derek Jernstedt commented
I agree with Laura's post. If we put the responsibility of inputing contact info and mailing info on the grantee (non-profit) when they start their application...why don’t I allow them the opportunity to make the updates/changes to their info? We've had multiple checks/mail returned due to incorrect address...and a couple dozen emails from the groups telling us their address has changed but can make the changes in the system. As long as the organization's name stays the same - why does anyone care if the address is changed?
-
Mary Giraulo commented
Um... I don't have a problem with applicants being able to edit address info (though I understand others that do) - but it would be VERY important to keep the organization name from being editable. (Would interfere with reports of past grants.)