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The Heat and Warmth Fund: Making Worthwhile Technology and Training Investments

Staff from THAW are excited to learn at NPower Michigan.

The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), a nonprofit that provides low-income families with energy assistance during crisis, has provided over $34 million in assistance to Michigan's elderly, unemployed, underemployed, disabled and families who found themselves in temporary crisis since its inception in 1986.  They have managed to do this while still maintaining a four-star rating on Charity Navigator, the highest rating provided.  Part of their success can be attributed to their consistent investment in their people and infrastructure. 

 

Challenge

In 2005, THAW upgraded different pieces of their software to keep current and knew they needed to train their staff.  They assessed their staff's skills using using TechAtlas, NPower's online planning tool, and discovered these varied tremendously.  "Everyone was at a different level, and we wanted to get everyone at the same level while being refreshed with the new updates," says Debbie Diviny, Business Manager at THAW. 

 

Solution

Since THAW was already familiar with NPower's high-quality, nonprofit-specific training, they asked the NPower training team to develop a series of classes that strengthened and deepened their staff's skill sets. "Our trainer went out of her way to answer THAW specific questions," which made the staff feel more confident in the training provided, said Ms. Diviny.  

 

Impact

According to Ms. Diviny, "There's a lot more collaboration as a result."  Where before, staff may have worked independently on projects, they now ask each other for help knowing other efficient methods exist. More experienced staff help the rest work effectively on projects since they share a basic familiarity with the applications.  And some staff have just become faster.  Ms. Diviny says, "Our program department has been able to cut the time to process voucher payments by 25%."

 

THAW continues to improve their use of technology through participation in NPower's TechTrek program.  They have also continued their partnership with NPower Michigan.  "We are just so glad to have you.  We feel that you are friends of ours now.  It's been great!"

 

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