C & E2:

A special information supplement in
THE GLOBE AND MAIL newspaper

Technology Illuminates Transparency

November 12, 2007 – In the post-Enron world, charities are increasingly being scrutinized like public companies, as was the case of Halton Family Services. After receiving detailed accounting requests from donors, the Ontario charity began researching technological options that would enable better transparency, tracking and reporting.

Annette Balgord, principal of Oakville-based Balgord Software Solutions, which specializes in implementing business management solutions for charities, attributes the rise in charities embracing technology to the fact that they are increasingly being asked to justify funding usage and the impact of donations. "Moreover, having detailed information at your fingertips removes the need for manual paperwork and speeds up grant applications," she says.

Nancy Brown, executive director at Halton Family Services,suggests other charities looking for a technological solution to their reporting needs "find a reliable provider who understands the not-for-profit world, who doesn't speak in techie jargon and who is always available to provide technical advice."

See the complete "Cause and Effect" special information supplement (2.8 MB PDF file) published in the Globe and Mail on Monday November 12, 2007.