Kulshan CLT Energizes the Community

Mission Statement: Kulshan Community Land Trust is a non-profit corporation that strengthens our community and supports our local economy by providing secure, affordable access to land and homeownership for households of modest means and for community needs. We promote affordable, ecologically sound and sustainable land use for housing and working landscapes by offering financial and educational support to the residents of Whatcom County.

Question 1: The Before: What was the challenge, issue or problem your organization was facing? Or, what was the opportunity you were not able to take advantage of before you put a technology solution in place?; Answer: WE WANTED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO MODEL STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES IN THE COMMUNITY. IN OUR AREA, THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OTHER NON-PROFITS THAT OFFER WORKSHOPS FOR HOMEOWNER DIY REPAIR OR ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS. WE WANTED TO PARTNER WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND ENCOURAGE OUR HOMEOWNER PARTICIPATION IN THE UPKEEP OF THEIR HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST. WE ALSO WANTED TO TRACK PARTICIPATION AND RESULTS. TO DEMONSTRATE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY PRACTICES AND SAVE MONEY, WE WANTED TO MOVE FROM OLD FASHIONED SNAIL MAIL ANOUNCEMENTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO HOMEOWNERS AND DONORS TO EMAIL. WE ALSO WANTED TO RECORD THEIR PARTICIPATION WITH SCANS OF THEIR DOCUMENTS INSTEAD OF MAKING COPIES OF EVERYTHING.

Question 2: What Microsoft software have you used/are you using in your organization to more effectively engage your beneficiaries, donors and/or volunteers and/or to make a difference in your community?; Answer: Microsoft Office 2007 or 2010 (Includes any of the following: Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, OneNote, Outlook, and Word); Other:

Question 3: The After: How have these Microsoft products allowed you to engage your stakeholders more efficiently or effectively to make a difference in your community?; Answer: AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING OF DONORS AND HOMEOWNERS, A SLIDESHOW OF 2010’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND 2011’S GOALS WAS SHOWN. WE HAD A SLIDE WITH THE COMMUNITY ENERGY CHALLENGE AND OUR PARTNER BANK’S LOGO- WE MENTIONED THE BANK WOULD REBATE A PORTION OF AN ENERGY ASSESSMENT. DONORS WERE ENGAGED BECAUSE OF THE CORRELATION OF THE BANK’S SPONSORSHIP WITH GRATITUDE. IT INSPIRED HOMEOWNER PARTICIPATION- THEY COULD SEE THAT THE ENERGY ASSESSMENT BEING BENEFICIAL FINANCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTLY. AFTER THE MEETING, AN EMAIL WAS SENT TO OUR HOMEOWNERS. 11 HOMES HAVE HAD ENERGY ASSESMENTS. THE RESULT- HOMES BEING WEATHERIZED, HOMES IN THE TRUST BEING BETTER PLACES FOR THE HOMEOWNER AND FUTURE HOMEOWNERS TO LIVE. STEWARDSHIP AND MONEYSAVING OPPORTUNITIES HELPS KEEP OUR RECORD OF ZERO FORECLOSURES IN 11 YEARS.

Question 4: What about these products (the features or the way you used them) made them particularly helpful in enabling your organization to expand and improve upon its community impact?; Answer: WHEN WE CAN ORGANIZE OUR DATA ON OUR SERVER, IT MAKES IT EASY FOR EVERYONE TO ACCESS. WITH THE TRADITIONAL PAPER FILING SYSTEM, IT IS HARD TO VISUALIZE ALL THE DETAILS. WHEN WE CAN SCAN A REPORT, EACH PERSON IN THE OFFICE HAS ACCESS TO THE DETAILS. IF ONE PERSON IS WRITING A GRANT, THEY CAN QUICKLY COMPILE THE DATA. IT ALSO IS MORE EFFICIENT FOR THE HOMEOWNERS WHEN THEY CALL WITH QUESTIONS- INSTEAD OF SEARCHING THROUGH THE FILE CABINETS, WE CAN QUICKLY PULL UP THEIR FILE ON THE COMPUTER. WHEN WE ARE MORE EFFICIENT WITH ADMINISTRATION TASKS THAT GIVES US MORE TIME TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY- DOING OUTREACH TO PERSPECTIVE HOMEBUYERS AND FINDING NEW SOURCES OF FUNDING TO HELP THEM INTO THEIR HOMES.

Question 5: Please provide any examples, stories or data that illustrate the difference the use of Microsoft software has enabled you to make (i.e., # of new clients reached, new program added, increased dollars raised, increased volunteers, etc.; Answer: OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A SUBSTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY AND TECHNOLEDGY IS A KEY COMPONENT FOR COMMUNICATION. FOR PEOPLE ALREADY INVOLVED WITH KULSHAN COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, WE CAN EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHARE LINKS TO OTHER BENEFICIAL PROGRAMS. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OFTEN CONTACT US VIA EMAIL OR WITH ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS TO TELL US OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN ENRICH OUR CLIENTS. THIS EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION LETS US BE IN CONCERT WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE MORE KULSHAN COMMUNITY LAND TRUST CAN CONTIBUTE TO THE SUBSTAINABILITY OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE MORE AFFORDABLE IT WILL REMAIN.

Upload photos or other supporting works/files: Homeowner report 30 pages reduced to 1 scan.pdf

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Microsoft Technology For Good Contest